The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has said Nigerians will soon be able to subscribe to the e-Naira digital currency using short codes.

Emefiele, who revealed this on Thursday during the eNaira Hackathon grand finale in Abuja, said by next week, Nigerians both banked and unbanked will be able to open an eNaira wallet and conduct transactions by simply dialing *997# from their mobile phones.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, had launched the eNaira in October 2021 as Africa’s first Central Bank Digital Currency, with the first phase focused on banked users, while the second phase borders around financial inclusion.

The CBN Governor had earlier accused Nigerian banks of frustrating the digital currency, with its acceptability being the issue the apex bank is battling to improve.