The launch took place at the State House in Abuja. An earlier plan to unveil the digital currency on October 1 was shelved.

Nigeria is one of only a few countries in the world to develop an official digital currency.

The eNaira was developed by fintech company Bitt, which is also behind the creation of CBDC in some East Caribbean countries.

At the launch, Monday, the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, said 500 million e-Naira ($1.21 million) has already been minted.

The CBDC’s digital currency app and its merchant wallet are now live and available for download.

The two apps, e-Naira speed wallet and eNaira merchant wallet, are now available on Google play store and Apple store.

A notice on the e-naira website gives details into how the currency and the wallet will work.“To sign-up on the eNaira speed wallet, you would be required to input the following details exactly as captured during your BVN enrollment.

“Get Ready With Your Accurate BVN Data For Your Hitch-Free Enrolment,” it says.

“First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, State of Origin, and Email.

“Your Banks are waiting to assist you in validating and updating your BVN details to ensure seamless enrolment to the eNaira Platform,” it says.

The central bank has also published the regulatory guidelines of the currency on its website.

“The guideline seeks to provide simplicity in the operation of eNaira, encourage general acceptability and use, promote the low cost of transactions, drive financial inclusion while minimizing inherent risks of disintermediation of any negative impact on the financial system,” it says.

Source: premiumtimesng