Rwandan Research Paper Recommends CBDC With ‘Partial Pseudo-Anonymity’

A recent research paper from the National Bank of Rwanda recommends a two-tier, universal, zero-interest central bank digital currency (CBDC) with partial pseudo-anonymity. Although the research paper identifies 15 opportunities for CBDC, only four are said to offer “high potential benefits and limited alternative choices to obtain similar advantages.” Research Paper Identifies 15 CBDC Opportunities … Read more

Remittances to Low and Middle Income Countries in 2022 Up by 5% to $626 Billion — Latest World Bank Report

Despite the headwinds that have dominated the year, remittances to low and middle-income countries in 2022 still grew by 5% to $626 billion, the World Bank Migration and Development Brief has said. Africa, where the cost of sending $200 averaged 7.8% in 2022, is the “most severely exposed to the concurrent crises.” Impact of the … Read more

CBDC Ensures Nigeria Remains Competitive in Increasingly Digital World — Central Bank Governor

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has insisted the recently introduced e-naira digital currency can potentially boost trade and investment activities in the country. He added the digital currency “would be necessary in the future to ensure Nigeria is competitive as the world becomes increasingly digital.” CBDC Gateway to Digital Economy The … Read more

Creator of App for Remittances to Africa and Asia Raises $65 Million in Series B Round

Tap Send, the creator of a remittances app of the same name, revealed it has raised $65 million in a Series B funding round. The fintech firm plans to use the funds to build a cheaper and faster cross-border money transfer platform. Remittances to Overlooked Countries The fintech startup behind the remittances app, Tap Send, … Read more

Nigerian Remittances Rebound as Country Tops Sub Sahara Africa — Sending Costs Still High

Nigeria is once again Sub Sahara Africa’s biggest recipient of remittances into the region where the money transfers went up by 6.2 percent to $45 billion, a new World Bank report has shown. The Impact of Nigerian Policies on Remittances According to the November 17, 2021 press release, this increase in the value of funds … Read more

IMF Says Nigerian CBDC Drawing Global Interest, Warns of Associated Risks

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged that the recently launched Nigerian central bank digital currency (CBDC) is attracting interest from many institutions globally, including central banks. Still, the fund warns that the CBDC carries risks for monetary policy implementation, cyber security, operational resilience, and financial integrity and stability. CBDC Attracting Interest In its latest … Read more

Nearly 500,000 Nigerian CBDC Wallets Downloaded Since Launch

Nearly half a million e-naira wallets have been downloaded a few weeks after the central bank digital currency (CBDC) was officially launched by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, the central bank has said. E-Naira’s Initial Trade Volumes In addition to the 488,000 wallets that have been downloaded, Osita Nwanisobi, who is the Central Bank of Nigeria … Read more

‘Bitcoin Is Worth Zero’ — Kenyan Communication Strategist Warns African Investors to Be Wary

A Kenyan communications strategist, Mwotia Ciugu, has told African investors to be wary of investing in bitcoin which he claims is worth zero. Bitcoin Structurally Incapable of Delivering on Its Promise In an op-ed published by The Elephant, Ciugu insists bitcoin (BTC) is structurally incapable of delivering on its promise of becoming an alternative store … Read more

IMF Partly Blames Uncertainty in Nigeria’s Forex Market for Drop in Remittances

The uncertainty that prevails in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market is partly to blame for the plunge in cross-border remittances into the country, an official with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. Covid-19 Another Contributing Factor According to a report by local news outlet Punch, the official, Abebe Selassie, said this in response to a … Read more

Chipper Cash Extends Peer-to-Peer Money Transfer Service to South Africa

Chipper Cash, an African fintech start-up, has extended its peer-to-peer instant money service to South Africa. In addition to being able to use the remittance service, South African users will be able to buy, sell, and transfer cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, ethereum, and the USDC stablecoin. South Africa Ripe for Disruption and Innovation According to a … Read more