Ghana Central Bank Announces Launch of Regulatory Sandbox

Ghana’s recently launched regulatory and innovation sandbox is the latest proof of the central bank’s commitment to a regulatory environment that promotes “innovation, financial inclusion and financial stability,” a statement released by the Bank of Ghana has said. According to the central bank, innovations that are eligible for inclusion in the sandbox include digital financial … Read more

Latest Ghana Benchmark Rate Hike the Largest on Record — President Promises Action Against ‘Unacceptable Depreciation of the Cedi’

After seeing Ghana’s inflation rate surge to 31.7% in July, the Bank of Ghana responded by hiking the benchmark interest rate by 300 basis points. In addition to the rate hike, the central bank said it will gradually raise banks’ primary reserve requirements. One expert has said President Nana Akufo-Addo must trim the size of … Read more

Ghana Central Bank Reiterates Warning Against Practice of Pricing Goods in Forex

The Bank of Ghana has warned businesses and the public against the practice of demanding or making payments in foreign currency without its authorization. The central bank’s warning comes just over a month after Ghana’s currency was rated the worst performing among Africa’s top currencies. Violators Face Possible Prison Time The Ghanaian central bank has … Read more

Ghana CBDC Development: New Central Bank Document Outlines Key Motivations for Issuing the Digital Currency

In a recently released document, the Bank of Ghana (BOG) outlines some of its key reasons for developing the central bank digital currency (CBDC). Also, in the document, the bank’s governor insists the institution is open to suggestions that will help it to successfully launch the digital currency. Benefits of a CBDC The Ghanaian central … Read more

Tanzanian Central Bank Preparing for CBDC to Ensure Country Is Not Left Behind

Florens Luoga, the governor of the Bank of Tanzania, said the apex bank has kickstarted preparations for a central bank digital currency. He said the bank was doing this to ensure Tanzania is not left behind as other countries adopt digital currencies. Keeping Abreast With Developments on the Continent The Bank of Tanzania (BOT) has … Read more

Ghana Central Bank Working to Make CBDC Available to Offline Users

The Ghanaian central bank is seeking to make its digital currency, the e-cedi, available to offline users, an official with the bank has said. Overcoming the Challenge of Limited Power According to Kwame Oppong, who heads fintech and innovation at the Bank of Ghana (BOG), the e-cedi is also expected to facilitate transactions without the … Read more

Bank of Ghana Urged to Resist Developing a CBDC Based on ‘Old Traditional Siloed Financial Thinking’

A Ghanaian blockchain and crypto association, Afroblocks, has warned the Bank of Ghana (BOG) to resist the urge to develop a central bank digital currency (CBDC) that is based on the “old traditional siloed financial thinking.” Afroblocks Not Consulted Afroblocks (formerly Blockchain Society Ghana) instead wants the central bank to emulate “financial projects that are … Read more

Bank of Ghana Selects German Technology Firm as Partner for CBDC Project

The Bank of Ghana (BOG) says it has signed an agreement with Giesecke Devrient (GD) to implement a pilot central bank digital currency (CBDC) project. This pilot CBDC, which is a precursor to the e-cedi digital currency, is set to be tested with banks, payment service providers, merchants, consumers and other relevant stakeholders. Learning From … Read more

Ghana Vice President Praises Central Bank’s CBDC Initiative, Says Digital Currencies Can Boost Intra-African Trade

The Ghanaian Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, has implored African governments to start exploring digital currencies as such alternatives have the potential to enhance intra-African trade. In addition, such digital currencies allow African countries to carry out all cross-border payments smoothly, the leader explained. Ghana Government Backing for CBDC According to a report, Bawumia made these … Read more

Report: Nigeria to Start Piloting Digital Currency in October

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reportedly set October 1 as the commencement date for the trial phase of its digital currency project. Dubbed project Giant, this digital currency project, or the “e-naira,” is expected to use the Hyperledger Fabric blockchain. CBDC Comes to Life The revelation of the launch date for Nigeria’s central … Read more