Significant improvements are taking place in Nigeria, but adoption is slow. Did you know that Nigerians can now use their ATM card as IDs? I guess you didn’t know before now. See more about that here.
I have never used the enaira, but folks that have used it said it is very fast and simple and free. If there are so many positive reviews on it, I really see no reason why there has been low adoption of the technology. Maybe because it does not significantly add more value to the existing naira crash?
Why is the adoption of eNaira slow?
Today, let’s delve into the topic of eNaira adoption and explore why it’s been a bit sluggish so far. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has shed some light on this, and one of the reasons they’ve pointed out is the phased approach adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In the initial phase, access to eNaira wallets was limited to individuals with bank accounts, while non-bank account holders gained access later on.
However, this phased approach wouldn’t have been as much of a problem if the digital currency had worked as promised during its launch. Unfortunately, in May 2022, when the first upgrade was announced, it was revealed that the eNaira needed significant rework due to inconsistencies at its initial launch. Chimezie Chuta, Founder of the Nigerian Blockchain User Group and a consultant on the digital currency project, shared this insight.
Another consultant on the project, Adedeji Owonibi, Founder of Convexity, also mentioned that the launch of the eNaira was rushed. These initial hiccups may have impacted its adoption.
Now, let’s shift our focus to the efforts made by the CBN to increase the adoption of the the digital currency. They have been actively working on enhancing its appeal and usability. From integrating the eNaira with USSD technology to developing a user-friendly app, the CBN has been striving to make it easier for people to use and engage with the eNaira. They even went the extra mile by creating promotional videos during times of cash crunch to generate interest.
But…
Despite these efforts, we’re yet to see significant results in terms of adoption. Adedeji Owonibi, in the article I mentioned earlier, shares some valuable points regarding the eNaira’s slow uptake despite the recent CBN initiatives. One key aspect he highlights is the CBN’s delay in leveraging private partnerships early on. It was only almost a year after the eNaira launch that the CBN announced opportunities for fintechs to explore investment in the digital currency. While Yusuf Jelil, Principal Manager and Business Lead for the digital currency project, expressed the CBN’s interest in collaboration, no specific investment opportunities have been announced thus far.
What’s the next step?
To further promote the use of eNaira, the CBN revealed plans to enable the payment of government university fees and salaries using the digital currency. In fact, they took their eNaira campaign to Jos and encouraged staff and students to embrace the eNaira wallet. According to Esther Tinat, the CBN Jos Branch Controller, their aim is to capture the attention of students and kickstart the payment of school fees through the eNaira. She also highlighted that the eNaira would be utilized for paying salaries in select government agencies in the future, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness.
Now, the big question arises: Will these measures increase eNaira adoption? It’s a tough one to answer, my friends. You see, historically, government policies haven’t always resonated well with Nigerians, especially when they’re enforced. So, it’s still too early to determine whether eNaira adoption will continue to stall or gradually improve.
The IMF acknowledges that the eNaira project is still a work in progress, at an early stage. They also emphasize that breaking the initial low adoption equilibrium requires a mix of clever strategies and a bit of luck.
Time will be the ultimate judge of whether the strategy of using eNaira for school fees and salaries will lead to improved adoption or if Nigerians will continue to overlook this digital currency. Let’s stay tuned and see how things unfold!
And yes, The National blockchain policy has been approved by the Nigeria Government, did you know about that too? Check it here
Remember, my dear readers, the world of finance is constantly evolving, and
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