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

Zimbabwean Dollar Could Collapse, Business Lobby Warns

A Zimbabwean business lobby group, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), has warned that the country’s currency could collapse if authorities fail to “implement policy measures that are needed to support it.” Central Bank Approach Unsettling the Market In a letter seen by Bitcoin.com News, the lobby group’s president Kurai Matsheza explained that the heavy-handed … Read more

Nigerian Currency Plunges to New Low of 570 — 10% of Value Lost in Under 30 Days

The Nigerian currency, the naira, plunged to a new all-time low of N570 for every dollar on September 16, 2021. This new exchange rate means since August 17, the naira has now lost about a tenth of its value on the foreign currency black market. Naira Overvalued In spite of this plunge, which has been … Read more

African Economist Says Regulated Cryptocurrencies Are Reasonable Alternative to Single Trade Currency

A Nigeria-based research and development economist, Gospel Obele, has called “for a unified regulatory mechanism for cryptocurrency trading.” He adds that such regulation of cryptocurrencies can potentially “complement an African digital currency,” hence this needs to be considered. Cryptocurrencies Show the Way In remarks published by Joy Online, Obele insists that cryptocurrencies have already shown … Read more

Annual US Dollar Remittances to Nigeria Surge to $34 Billion but Forex Woes Persist

According to a report, the value of annual dollar remittances by Nigerians working abroad has surged to $34 billion, a figure that easily surpasses the previous record-high of $25 billion. Still, a large portion of the funds doesn’t seem to be entering domestic forex markets. Target Attained Two Years Ahead of Schedule The increase, which … Read more

Nigerian Foreign Exchange Crisis: Central Bank Issues Warning to Microfinance Banks

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has threatened punitive sanctions against microfinance banks that violate the conditions of their operating license through the performance of foreign currency-related transactions. In its latest circular, the CBN claims that microfinance banks have a very low capitalization hence their handling of such transactions threatens the stability of the financial … Read more

People’s Bank of China Targets Crypto Companies in Shenzhen Crackdown

The Shenzhen office of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has reportedly set out to correct the business activities of about a dozen companies allegedly engaged in cryptocurrency transactions. According to Chinese media, the entities have been targeted in a crackdown on crypto trading in the city. People’s Bank of China Cracks Down on Coin … Read more

Nigerian Central Bank Stops Forex Sales to Bureaus de Change — Operators Accused of Feeding Black Market

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently announced the abrupt end to sales and outsourcing of foreign exchange to Bureau de Change (BDC) operators after accusing them of failing to stick to their core mandate. Instead of providing forex to retail users, BDCs are believed to be supplying the scarce resource to so-called “illegal” dealers. … Read more

Kenyan Remittances Surged by 20% in H1, North America and Europe-Based Diaspora Contribute Over 80%

According to the latest data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), diaspora remittances inflows to the country surged to $1.75 billion in the first six months of 2021. This figure represents a nearly 20% increase from the $1.46 billion recorded in the same period last year. 2021 Inflows Set to Surpass 2020 Total At … Read more

New World Bank Report: Nigeria’s Exchange Rate Policies Fueling Inflation, Affecting Food Prices

Nigeria’s use of multiple exchange rates regimes may have contributed to a rise in the country’s inflation rate, the latest World Bank report has said. In addition, the report says ongoing restrictions on the use and movement of foreign exchange are “further pushing up prices of food and agricultural inputs like fertilizer.” Misaligned Exchange Rates … Read more