African Central Banks Hurt Innovation Development

The head of the UN economic agency says that central banks in Africa are failing to understand the power of banking innovation; less than a third of people in sub-Saharan Africa have access to the financial system; certain countries like Kenya have seen wide adoption of services like mobile money, but then crossing into Nigeria the same service can be used by 1 percent of people; Telcos have really taken the lead on the continent to help bring access, but central banks are still regulating banks through the lens of traditional banks; regulators are starting to learn and enthusiasm for new ideas is increasing. Source.