Africa
Average cost of running RTGS systems is $1.8 million
Annual costs slightly higher than last year’s benchmark
Most RTGS systems operate between seven and 12 hours daily
More than 40 institutions on average have direct access to infrastructure
Most central banks optimistic about tokenisation
Programmability, digital signatures and enhanced security are some purported benefits
Slightly over half of payments teams outsource services to third parties
Contracting central banks provide information on attendant risks and precautionary measures
Payments staff strength averages close to 30 personnel
Employees in the Americas collect highest average annual salary
Fewer than half of central banks involved in pricing payments
But Asia-Pacific and African institutions are typically do engage in pricing
Over a third of central banks say retail payments are diversifying
Americas and Asia-Pacific tend to report diversification, as tech and regulation drives change
Over half of central banks have payments oversight powers
Networks and international remittance supervision only covered in a few jurisdictions
Trends in reserve management 2024: survey results
Insights on geopolitical risk, AI, asset diversification, risk management and ESG adoption
Most comms teams aim for social media boost in 2025
Top priorities for next year align with 2023 benchmark findings
Press releases outnumber officials’ public appearances
Statistical bulletins also rank as most published document annually
Traditional comms still a bigger focus than social media
Lower-middle income teams less likely to track external communications
External comms impact gauged by trust and comprehension
Absolute numbers of appearances, social media engagement and market indicators rank lowest
Comms teams becoming less involved in key policy decisions
Early involvement appears to raise effectiveness in monetary policy communication
Email and social media still top two-way comms channels
Only teams from Asia-Pacific central banks report use of live website chat
Comms staff rarely hold PhD qualifications
Social media and writing skills remain leading areas for capacity building
Female staff make up over 60% of average comms team
Employees most likely to fall in age category of 40–49
Media relations, social media and website are top comms tasks
International communications, museum visits and speechwriting rank least
Press releases, conferences and website are top external channels
Email remains main tool for internal communications among central banks
One in five communications teams use AI for their work
Data suggests uses of AI are still at an initial stage among communications departments
Comms teams average less than 2% of central bank workforce
Majority of units operate centralised communications models
Central banks reveal top staffing constraints
Career progression limits, skills gaps and red tape identified as challenges
Most high income central banks lack formal recapitalisation agreements
Seven respondents report launching recapitalisation in past year
Central banks’ profit distribution widely agreed with governments
Few institutions have arrangements with other parties or private shareholders