Nigerian Central Bank Seeks New CBDC Tech Partner — Bank Urged to Improve E-Naira User Experience

More than a year after it launched its central bank digital currency with partner Bitt Inc, the Central Bank of Nigeria is reportedly seeking a new technology partner. The new partner is expected to help the central bank implement a system which gives it greater control of the digital currency. One expert said the central … Read more

Bank of Japan to Launch Digital Yen CBDC Pilot Later This Year

The Bank of Japan is preparing to launch a pilot test for a digital yen, its central bank digital currency (CBDC), later this year. Shinichi Uchida, executive director of the Bank of Japan, explained that the goals of this new pilot are to test the technical feasibility of the currency and to include private businesses … Read more

Central Bank of Brazil President States Digital Real Pilot Is Imminent

The president of the Central Bank of Brazil, Roberto Campos Neto, has clarified the status of the development of the Brazilian central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital real. Campos Neto stated that the pilot test will start now and that banks will have to digitize more of their balances in the future. Pilot Tests … Read more

UAE Launches ‘Financial Infrastructure Transformation’ Program; CBDC Among 9 Key Objectives

On Feb. 12, 2023, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) announced the launch of a new initiative called the “Financial Infrastructure Transformation Program,” which has nine key objectives. One of these objectives is the research and development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) designed to address both cross-border payments and domestic … Read more

East African Community to Decide on Regional Central Bank Launch in 2023

The East African Community (EAC) will decide during the course of the year 2023 when and where it will locate the envisioned regional central bank, the regional intergovernmental organization’s Peter Mathuki has reportedly said. The setting up of the regional central bank is expected to help the EAC achieve its goal of attaining a single … Read more

Tanzanian Central Bank Adopts ‘Phased and Risk-Based Approach to Adoption of CBDC’

After months of research, the Tanzanian central bank announced recently that it had chosen a more cautious and risk-based approach towards the adoption of its central bank digital currency (CBDC). During the research phase, the central bank said it paid particular attention “to risks and controls associated with issuance, distribution, counterfeit and usage of currencies.” … Read more

Report: Nigeria to Stop Cash Withdrawals From Government Accounts

From the start of March, Nigerian public officials will be barred from withdrawing cash from government bank accounts, the head of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit reportedly said. Public officials that want to be exempted from this new regulation will have to obtain a waiver from the Nigerian Presidency. Government Workers Vulnerable to Money Laundering … Read more