E-Cedi: The Future of Money in Ghana

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Credit: pexels.com, Stack of US dollar bills on a keyboard, symbolizing digital finance and wealth.

The E-Cedi is a digital currency that's set to revolutionize the way we make transactions in Ghana. It's a mobile money-based system that will allow users to make payments easily and securely.

The E-Cedi will be backed by the Ghanaian Cedi, the country's local currency, and will be issued by the Bank of Ghana. This means that the value of the E-Cedi will be pegged to the value of the Ghanaian Cedi.

The E-Cedi is designed to be a low-cost and efficient way to make payments, with the goal of increasing financial inclusion in Ghana. It's expected to be widely used in the country, with a projected 70% of the population expected to use it within the next few years.

What is E-Cedi?

The eCedi is a digital currency issued and regulated by the Bank of Ghana. It's a digital representation of the Ghanaian cedi, the country's fiat money.

In 2021, the Bank of Ghana started developing the eCedi. The project has been in progress since then.

The eCedi was tested in a pilot phase, but the full rollout was delayed due to economic conditions.

Benefits of E-Cedi

Credit: youtube.com, GHANA'S E-CEDI EXPLAINED - DIGITAL CURRENCY VS CRYPTOCURRENCY

The E-Cedi will completely transform the architecture of Ghana's payment system, according to President Nana Akufo-Addo. This is a significant step towards digitalization and financial inclusion.

The E-Cedi will be the first general-purpose Central Bank Digital Currency in Africa, making Ghana a pioneer in this field. This is a testament to the country's commitment to innovation and progress.

The E-Cedi will have products and services to bridge the gap between the banked and the unbanked, facilitating offline transactions. This is a major breakthrough for those who lack access to traditional banking services.

The E-Cedi will be used on mobile applications and other apps, making it easily accessible to the population. This is a significant step towards digitizing Ghana's 30 million people and government services.

The Bank of Ghana partnered with Emtech, a fintech startup that specializes in central banks and digital transformation for the banking sector. This collaboration has enabled the development of the E-Cedi.

The E-Cedi is part of the 'Digital Ghana Agenda', which aims to digitize Ghana's economy and government services. This is a long-term goal that will have far-reaching benefits for the country.

Digital Currency Overview

Credit: youtube.com, Ghana's Central Bank delays introduction E-Cedi digital currency

Digital currency is becoming increasingly popular, with China testing its own digital currency called the Digital Yuan and the UK exploring its own digital currency, dubbed Britcoin.

China is motivated to go digital with its currency due to the high cost of producing and storing cash and coins. The cost of digital currencies is low and almost zero, especially in their creation and distribution.

The UK central bank sees digital currency as a new form of digital money for households and businesses, which would exist alongside cash and bank deposits. Digital currencies can also enhance financial inclusion by allowing consumers to hold them through mobile devices, without the need for bank accounts.

Central banks would have increased control over money issuance and greater insight into how people spend their money once they start issuing digital currencies. This could significantly enhance the development of monetary policies in a country.

E-Cedi in Ghana

The E-Cedi in Ghana is a central bank digital currency (CBDC) that aims to digitize the country's fiat currency. Dr. Ernest Addison, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, announced the development of the E-Cedi in June 2021.

Credit: youtube.com, Ghana's digital currency: BoG begins e-Cedi pilot in Western North region | Business Dashboard

The E-Cedi is part of the 'Digital Ghana Agenda', which aims to digitize 30 million people and government services. It will serve as an alternative to physical cash and complement the Ghanaian cedi. The E-Cedi will be used on mobile applications and other apps.

The Bank of Ghana partnered with Emtech, a fintech startup, to develop the E-Cedi. Emtech is a software that tests solutions, including the blockchain. The E-Cedi will have products and services to bridge the gap between the banked and the unbanked.

E-Cedi

The E-Cedi is a proposed central bank digital currency (CBDC) for Ghana, announced by Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, in June 2021. It's part of the 'Digital Ghana Agenda', aiming to digitize Ghana's 30 million people and government services.

The E-Cedi will complement the Ghanaian cedi and serve as an alternative to physical cash, as part of the 'Cashlite Agenda'. It will be used on mobile applications and other apps, with the Bank of Ghana partnering with Emtech, a fintech startup focused on central banks and digital transformation.

Credit: youtube.com, What you need to know about Bank of Ghana's new digital currency 'eCedi' | Citi Business Festival

The E-Cedi will be the first general-purpose Central Bank Digital Currency in Africa, according to Dr. Ernest Addison. It's expected to completely transform the architecture of Ghana's payment system and deepen financial inclusion.

Ghana is on track to introduce its digital currency, with the Bank of Ghana going into the pilot stage of the E-Cedi in September 2021. The E-Cedi will have products and services to bridge the gap between the banked and the unbanked.

The E-Cedi will be used to facilitate offline transactions, as announced by Kwame Oppong, head of fintech and innovations for the Bank of Ghana, in October 2021.

Here are the three phases of the E-Cedi project:

  • Design
  • Implementation
  • Piloting

The E-Cedi will be built to accommodate third-party financial technology builders, allowing them to leverage the CBDC's system for creating products that serve Ghana's economy.

Can the Bank of Ghana Issue CBDCs Without Legislation?

The Bank of Ghana has a clear stance on the matter, stating that it cannot issue CBDCs without the necessary legislative backing. This is because the central bank requires the enabling legislation to facilitate the issuance and management of a CBDC.

Credit: youtube.com, Ghana Central Bank Working to Make CBDC Available to Offline Users

The existing Payment Systems and Services Act, 2003 (Act 681) does not provide a legal framework for the issuance of a CBDC. This Act focuses on the regulation of payment systems, but it does not cover the specific requirements for a CBDC.

The Bank of Ghana has proposed amendments to the Payment Systems and Services Act to include provisions for the issuance and management of a CBDC. However, these amendments have not yet been passed into law.

Teri Little

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Teri Little is a seasoned writer with a passion for delivering insightful and engaging content to readers worldwide. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Teri has established herself as a trusted voice in the realm of financial markets news. Her articles have been featured in various publications, offering readers a unique perspective on market trends, economic analysis, and industry insights.

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