Bitt chosen to develop Nigeria’s digital currency

Bitt was selected for the project after a competitive tender process

Bitt, the fintech based in Barbados using blockchain to facilitate cross-border payments, has been selected to develop Nigeria’s digital currency, eNaira.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed Bitt as its technical partner for the project last week. eNaira is scheduled for release later this year.

Nigeria embarked on its digital currency project in 2017, after a lengthy research and evaluation process.

CBN governor Godwin Emefiele is quoted by the central bank as saying the benefits of launching eNaira include increased cross-border trade, accelerated financial inclusion, cheaper and faster remittance inflows, and easier targeted social interventions. 

Bitt was selected for the project after a competitive tender process. CBN says the fintech demonstrated the required technological competence, efficiency, platform security, interoperability, and implementation experience.

The fintech was “key” to the development and successful launch of the central bank digital currency pilot of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in April 2021.

Image: Shutterstock

Mark Dugdale