The POS agent knows your financial cycle. He sees you every Friday when you're flush. He sees you every Wednesday when you're borrowing ₦1,000 to survive. He knows when you got paid. He knows when you're broke. He is your banker, your lender, and sometimes your therapist. You stand at his kiosk, transferring money, and you vent. "This country hard." "My boss never pay me." "School fees don finish my money." He nods. He agrees. He gives you ₦500 credit when you're empty. He doesn't judge your balance. He doesn't ask for collateral. He just knows. In a country where banks feel like fortresses, the POS agent is accessible finance. He's at the corner. He's open late. He speaks your language. He might overcharge by ₦100, but he's there when you need him. And the trust! You give him your ATM card and PIN to withdraw for you because the ATM queue is fifty people deep. It's a relationship built on mutual need and surprising intimacy. Does your POS agent know too much about your life? And have you ever borrowed from or vented to one?
