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 Nigerian central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, has said the recently introduced digital currency, the e-naira, ensures Nigeria will remain competitive in a world that has gone digital. Specifically, the introduction of the central bank digital currency (CBDC) to the Nigerian payment space is expected to bolster trade and investment activities, a report quoting Emefiele has said.

Remarks by Emefiele are the latest by either a government or CBN official aimed at reassuring skeptical Nigerians. At the launch of the CBDC in October 2021, the country’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, similarly touted the introduction of the e-naira as something that would result in Nigeria’s GDP growing by $29 billion in 10 years.

Besides reassuring statements, the CBN has used various events it has hosted as platforms for promoting the use of the CBDC. The latest of such events is the “eNaira – Africa’s Gateway to a Digital Economy” hackathon, which is set to commence on June 27 and is expected to run until July 21.

Identifying and Eliminating Glitches

According to a report in The Eagle Online, the CBN, which has encouraged Nigerians to register for the e-naira hackathon, believes the event might be useful in helping innovators think of innovative solutions for the CBDC. Emefiele also added:

We cannot deny the fact that the newly introduced CBDC (eNaira) would be necessary in the future to ensure Nigeria is competitive as the world becomes increasingly digital. We have seen in the past few years how digital currencies have opened international economies to individuals who wield them and how seamless they have made trading, buying, investing and other economic activities.

Meanwhile, a statement reportedly issued by both organizers and the CBN said innovators attending the event will look at ways of eliminating glitches that may hamper e-naira transactions. They will also be asked to come up with an e-naira design that addresses blockchain and cross-border remittances, the report said.

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