The global financial ecosystem is undergoing a paradigm shift with the rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) — a transformative innovation that bridges the gap between traditional monetary systems and the digital economy. This course by Kincaid Development Center provides an in-depth exploration of the policy frameworks, design choices, regulatory implications, and implementation strategies surrounding CBDCs, with a strong focus on the African context.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how CBDCs can drive financial inclusion, enhance payment efficiency, strengthen monetary policy, and improve financial stability. The course combines global best practices, African pilot experiences, and forward-looking insights on digital currency ecosystems.
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive Certificate of Participation.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the rationale and strategic objectives behind CBDC adoption.
- Assess different CBDC design models (retail vs wholesale, token-based vs account-based).
- Evaluate legal, regulatory, and governance frameworks for digital currencies.
- Examine AML/CFT, privacy, and cybersecurity challenges in CBDC systems.
- Analyze CBDC infrastructure and technology options including blockchain, interoperability, and resilience.
- Assess implications for monetary policy transmission, cross-border payments, and financial stability.
- Draw lessons from African and global case studies on CBDC pilots and implementation.
- Formulate national or regional roadmaps for CBDC policy and implementation.
Course Duration
5 Days
Who Should Attend
- Central Bank policy and research departments
- Financial regulators and monetary authorities
- Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning
- Fintech and payment systems professionals
- Commercial banks and payment service providers
- Legal and compliance officers in the financial sector
- Development finance institutions and international organizations
Course Outline
Module 1: Foundations of Central Bank Digital Currencies
- Understanding the digital money landscape
- The role of CBDCs in the evolution of money and payment systems
- Motivations for CBDC introduction: efficiency, inclusion, resilience
Module 2: CBDC Design Models and Architecture
- Retail vs wholesale CBDCs: operational and policy distinctions
- Token-based vs account-based designs
- Hybrid and synthetic CBDC approaches
- Offline functionality and resilience in low-connectivity environments
Module 3: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
- Legal basis and monetary sovereignty
- AML/CFT, privacy, and data governance
- Regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs
- Balancing innovation, stability, and consumer protection
Module 4: Technology and Infrastructure Requirements
- Distributed ledger technology (DLT) vs centralized architectures
- Interoperability with existing payment systems
- Cybersecurity and resilience measures
- Cross-border and regional payment integration
Module 5: Economic and Financial Implications
- Impacts on monetary policy, liquidity management, and interest rate transmission
- Effects on commercial banking and intermediation
- Implications for capital flows and exchange rate dynamics
- Role in enhancing financial inclusion and reducing transaction costs
Module 6: Case Studies and Lessons Learned
- CBDC pilots and implementations: Nigeria (eNaira), Ghana, South Africa, China, Bahamas
- Regional collaboration and cross-border initiatives (SADC, AfCFTA, WAMZ)
- Lessons from international organizations (IMF, BIS, World Bank)
Module 7: Strategic Roadmaps and Implementation Planning
- Stakeholder engagement and coordination mechanisms
- Public communication and change management
- Risk management and evaluation frameworks
- Building national capacity and digital readiness
General Notes
- The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.
- The participants should be reasonably proficient in English as all facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.
- Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a certificate.
- The training will be held at Kincaid Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments and lunch.
- All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
- Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training coordinator at Email: training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org or Tel: +254 724592901
- This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our Kincaid Training Centre or at a convenient location.
For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254 724592901 or send mail to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org
Payments are due upon registration. Payment should be sent to our Bank account before commencement of training and proof of payment sent to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org