Nigeria’s Central Bank: The eNaira poses no risk to the country’s financial stability

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued an official statement in response to reports circulating on various media platforms. These reports suggested that the eNaira, Nigeria’s pioneering central bank digital currency (CBDC), posed a potential threat to the nation’s financial stability.

The statement, dated October 9, comes as a direct response to these media claims. It underscores the Central Bank of Nigeria’s unequivocal stance that the eNaira project is in no way a peril to the country’s financial stability. A particular news piece, published in Nigeria’s daily newspaper, “Punch,” references the Central Bank’s recently published report, titled “Economics of Digital Currencies: A Book of Readings.”

The report from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s experts emphasizes the gradual ascent of eNaira adoption. They note that it presently accounts for a mere 0.2% share when compared to the liquidity of Nigerian banks. It’s also acknowledged that the funds held by citizens in eNaira wallets cannot be accessed by commercial banks. The hypothetical threat that could arise from this scenario revolves around the potential liquidity issues that banks might face in the event of widespread eNaira adoption. Nevertheless, this concern remains an integral part of the theoretical discourse surrounding any central bank digital currency (CBDC).

In its official release, the Central Bank of Nigeria refrains from offering an extensive explanation, opting instead for a straightforward rejection of the media’s claims. The statement does, however, refer to the comprehensive understanding of CBDCs as delineated in its report, and it goes on to state: “The eNaira’s framework is continually evolving and being refined to enhance the user experience across all interfaces. We encourage Nigerians to embrace this technology, not only for greater financial inclusion but for a myriad of other benefits.”

Recent findings from a global survey, encompassing participants from 15 different countries, highlight Nigeria as the country with the highest level of cryptocurrency awareness. According to a joint study conducted by ConsenSys and YouGov, a staggering 99% of Nigerians exhibit a deeper understanding of Web3 compared to individuals in major global economies, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Germany.