CBDC | South Africa’s Central Bank Sees No ‘Strong Immediate Need’ for a Retail CBDC

CBDC | South Africa’s Central Bank Sees No ‘Strong Immediate Need’ for a Retail CBDC

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has concluded in a newly released November 2025 position paper that there is no “strong immediate need” for a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). Although technically feasible, the bank argues that deploying a digital rand for everyday users isn’t necessary at present. Instead, SARB says its priorities remain elsewhere – particularly on upgrading the national payments infrastructure and broadening p…