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The short answer
Access Bank's charge for sending money to another Nigerian bank is capped by the CBN's Guide to Charges: as reported in April 2026, ₦10 for transfers below ₦5,000, ₦25 from ₦5,000 to ₦50,000 and ₦50 above ₦50,000. On top of that, since January 2026 the sender pays ₦50 stamp duty on transfers of ₦10,000 or more, and USSD transfers carry a telco charge that Access Bank lists as ₦6.98.
Transfer fees in Nigeria are not set freely by each bank. The CBN publishes a Guide to Charges that sets maximum amounts, and banks can charge less but not more. When you see more than one debit after a transfer, it is usually because the bank fee, any tax and, for USSD, a telco charge are shown on separate lines.
The current CBN bands
TechCabal, reporting on the CBN's proposed new guide in April 2026, set out the current bands alongside the proposed ones:
| Transfer amount | Current cap (2020 guide) | Proposed in 2026 draft |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ₦5,000 | ₦10 | Free |
| ₦5,000 to ₦50,000 | ₦25 | ₦10 |
| Above ₦50,000 | ₦50 | ₦50 |
The 2026 guide was an exposure draft dated 21 April 2026, with comments due by 8 May 2026, according to Candide-Johnson's summary. We did not find a confirmed effective date. Until Access Bank tells customers the new bands apply, expect the current bands, and check the fee shown in AccessMore before you confirm a transfer.
VAT
Banks may add VAT to their fee, which appears as a separate small debit. Check your statement narration; the VAT line, if any, applies to the bank's fee, not the amount you sent.
Stamp duty on top
From 1 January 2026, the ₦50 that used to be deducted from receivers as the Electronic Money Transfer Levy became a ₦50 stamp duty deducted from the sender on electronic transfers of ₦10,000 or more, as reported by Techeconomy and TechCabal. Transfers below ₦10,000, salary payments and transfers between your own accounts at the same bank are reported as exempt. Our guide to Access Bank stamp duty covers how to query a wrong debit.
Worked examples
Examples only, using the current bands. Bank VAT, if charged, is not included.
| You send to another bank | Bank fee | Stamp duty | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₦3,000 by app | ₦10 | ₦0 | ₦10 |
| ₦15,000 by app | ₦25 | ₦50 | ₦75 |
| ₦120,000 by app | ₦50 | ₦50 | ₦100 |
| ₦15,000 by USSD | ₦25 | ₦50 | ₦75 plus ₦6.98 telco charge = ₦81.98 |
Under the 2026 draft bands, the ₦15,000 transfer would cost ₦10 + ₦50 = ₦60, and the ₦3,000 transfer nothing, which matches TechCabal's ₦60 example.
Transfers within Access Bank
The CBN bands above are for interbank transfers. Access Bank's own pages we opened do not state its charge for transfers to other Access Bank accounts, so check the fee AccessMore shows. Stamp duty can still apply to an Access-to-Access transfer of ₦10,000 or more if it is to someone else; only transfers between your own accounts at the same bank are reported as exempt.
USSD charges
Access Bank's USSD help page says a telco charge of ₦6.98 applies to USSD financial transactions in Nigeria, excluding airtime and data purchases. This is collected for the mobile network, separate from the bank's transfer fee. The page also shows the figure as '₦6.98K', which looks like a typo, so check your airtime or statement. See every *901# function.
Reading the debits on your statement
After one interbank transfer, your Access Bank statement can show up to four lines. Knowing which is which makes it easy to spot an error:
- The transfer itself, with the beneficiary's name or the narration you typed.
- The bank's transfer fee, sometimes labelled as a NIP or electronic transfer charge.
- VAT on that fee, if the bank charges it, as a separate small amount.
- Stamp duty of ₦50, if the transfer was ₦10,000 or more and not exempt.
Two fees for one transfer, a stamp duty line on a transfer below ₦10,000, or a fee higher than the band for that amount are all worth querying with the contact centre on 07003000000, quoting the date and amount. If the bank does not resolve it, the CBN complaint process applies; see how to complain about a bank.
Business accounts and bulk payments
The CBN bands cap the fee per transfer, so a business paying many suppliers pays the band fee on each one, plus stamp duty on each payment of ₦10,000 or more. Salary payments are reported as exempt from stamp duty. Banks often price bulk-payment and corporate internet banking services separately; ask Access Bank's business desk for the schedule that applies to your account rather than assuming the retail bands.
How to keep transfer costs down
- Use the app rather than USSD for routine transfers to avoid the telco charge.
- Group small payments to the same person into one transfer where it makes sense; one ₦25 fee is cheaper than three.
- Remember stamp duty applies per transfer of ₦10,000 or more, so splitting a ₦30,000 payment into three of ₦10,000 adds tax rather than saving it.
- Check your statement monthly for duplicated fees and query them with the contact centre.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme's Send shows any fee on its own line before you approve, and businesses taking payments can use bank-transfer checkout free of charge.
Questions people ask
How much does Access Bank charge for transfer to other banks?
The CBN caps are ₦10 below ₦5,000, ₦25 from ₦5,000 to ₦50,000 and ₦50 above ₦50,000, as reported in April 2026. Check the fee AccessMore shows before you confirm.
Why was I charged ₦75 for a ₦20,000 transfer?
Under the current bands that is likely ₦25 bank fee plus ₦50 stamp duty, which the sender pays on transfers of ₦10,000 or more since January 2026.
Are transfers below ₦5,000 free on Access Bank?
Not yet confirmed. The CBN's 2026 draft guide proposes free transfers up to ₦5,000, but it was an exposure draft. Check the fee shown in the app.
Does Access Bank charge for USSD transfers?
Access Bank lists a ₦6.98 telco charge on USSD financial transactions, in addition to the normal transfer fee.
Sources
- TechCabal: Why bank transfers above ₦10,000 will cost ₦60 under CBN's new guide (Apr 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Candide-Johnson & Co: Nigeria's New Banking Charges Framework (2026 exposure draft) · accessed Oct 2026
- Techeconomy: Stamp duty replaces EMTL, sender to bear ₦50 charge (1 Jan 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank: USSD Banking frequently asked questions · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.