CBN, Egypt’s apex bank partner on joint fintech bridge

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Nigeria – Egypt Fintech Bridge.

According to a statement obtained from the website of the CBN, the MoU was signed on Tuesday at the Seamless North Africa Conference 2023 Conference in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

It came after a series of engagements on issues around payment system, financial technology, and financial inclusion in Africa.

The apex bank said that the MoU represented a partnership of the central banks of the largest economies in Africa.

According to the CBN, the MoU encompasses a broad range of collaborative initiatives, joint registration, innovative projects, coordinated licensing and supervisory framework, and information sharing.

Our correspondent reports that fintech bridges represent agreement outlining collaboration between two governments; cooperation between regulatory bodies and connectivity between two markets and ecosystems.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Aisha Ahmad, who signed on behalf of the CBN, said that the Nigerian apex bank was excited by the partnership with the CBE.

According to Ahmad, the partnership was actualised after several months of engagements on payments, fintech and financial inclusion.

“We look forward to cultivating an innovative space for fintech startups and entrepreneurs in Egypt and Nigeria, to accelerate financial inclusion, deepen our payment systems and drive economic growth across Africa,” she said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of the CBE, Rami Aboulnaga, expressed delight at the partnership, adding that it would meet the desired expectations.

Our correspondent reports that the conference was hosted by the CBE and had policy makers, payment service providers, financial institutions and technology startups from Egypt, Nigeria and across Africa in attendance.