By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau ChiefThe Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday opened applications for the second cohort of its Regulatory Sandbox Programme, introducing dedicated tracks for virtual assets and data-enabled financial services. The Data-Enabled Financial Services Track, excluding VASPs, will focus on innovations using secure digital infrastructure and permission-based data sharing to improve financial inclusion, payments, credit, risk management, operational efficiency and consumer outcomes. Commenting on the programme, Director, Payments System Policy Department, CBN, Mr. Musa Jimoh, said financial innovation was transforming how individuals and businesses accessed financial services. He said the CBN Regulatory Sandbox, powered by technology in partnership with EMTECH, provides a structured platform for testing promising solutions while maintaining safeguards for consumers and the financial system. It urged eligible organisations to submit applications through the CBN Regulatory Sandbox Portal before the August 31 deadline.