Cash held outside Nigeria’s banking system increased to N4.87 trillion in August 2026, reversing a three-month decline, according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The figure rose from N4.80 trillion in July, representing an increase of N70.9 billion, or 1.48%, in one month.
Cash outside banks had declined from N5.19 trillion in May to N4.92 trillion in June and N4.80 trillion in July, resulting in a cumulative drop of about N391.8 billion over the three-month period.
Despite the August increase, the amount remains N381.3 billion below the N5.25 trillion recorded in January 2026.
However, on a year-on-year basis, cash outside banks increased by approximately N419 billion, or 9.4%, from N4.45 trillion in August 2025.
The latest figures come as the CBN continues to promote digital payments and financial inclusion. Under its Nigeria Payment System Vision 2028, the apex bank aims to reduce cash circulating outside the banking system to below 40% of total currency in circulation and achieve 95% financial inclusion among adults by 2028.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s broad money supply rose to N139.38 trillion in August 2026, up 16.4% from N119.69 trillion recorded in August 2025.
Tags
National News