Africa
African central banks expect CBDC to boost policy transmission
BIS survey finds greater focus on transmission and financial inclusion among African institutions
Research economists devote more working time to own projects
On average, own research works consume 25% of policy economists’ working time
Advanced economy institutions tend to produce more papers
Emerging market researchers averaged five papers a year in peer-reviewed journals
Research agenda determined across multiple levels
Governors and deputy governors give final sign-off on most research publications
Majority of banks blend research and policy functions
Only one in five jurisdictions restructured economics unit in the past 12 months
Growth and inflation are top forecast indicators
More emerging markets forecast growth and inflation compared with the past year
Banknote volumes and values rose among most central banks
Most recent estimates show volume and value of circulating notes rising in 2022
Banks receive widely varying volumes of damaged cash
Central banks share data on values and volumes of mutilated currency
Most jurisdictions have not withdrawn denominations in past five years
Thirty-two central banks have an average of six denominations in circulation
Central bank boards most often make decisions on banknote imagery
Banknotes image types vary from recognised figures to natural phenomena
Majority of central banks have access-to-cash policies
More than two-fifths require a minimum level of cash services from banks
Counterfeit banknotes removed from circulation average $425,000
UV ink and intaglio printing are most common security features
Banknotes generally have at least one aid for visually impaired
Raised inks are most common feature, followed by making denominations different sizes
Few central banks use big data tools to forecast currency demand
Forecasting is very common, while few expect big changes in currency needs for 2023
Banknote contagion measures reduced in 2022
Participating institutions say coronavirus has shaped currency demand
Paper-based banknotes still outnumber polymer substrates
Most banks do not plan adoption of new substrates
Cash usage drops further to an average of 42.5% across jurisdictions
Just one African institution and a European jurisdiction experience growth in cash payments
Fewer central banks report climate strategy
Incineration still most common practice among institutions recycling banknotes
Most central banks plan no new banknotes in near future
Fewer than a quarter of banks plan new notes in next five years
CBDC, cash and fast payments: the view from the IMF meetings
Digital currency and fast payments present ample opportunity for improvements, say policy-makers
African governors face multiple financial ‘floods’
Kenyan governor says a “doubling, tripling” of access to IMF resources is needed
Four more African central banks raise rates
Ghana raises policy rate to highest level since 2017, plus hikes in Uganda, Sierra Leone and Tunisia
Central Bank of Kenya raises rate and denies FX shortage
New president nominates former governor Ndung’u to become finance minister
Share of reserve managers investing in green and social bonds declines
Share of portfolios allocated to these assets grow modestly