In a rapidly evolving global financial landscape, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are no longer a theoretical concept but a tangible reality shaping the future of money. This cutting-edge training course is designed to equip central bankers, financial regulators, and IT professionals with the strategic knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate the complexities of CBDC design, implementation, and robust IT governance. From foundational principles to advanced security protocols, this program provides a holistic understanding of how to build a resilient, efficient, and secure digital monetary system that meets the demands of a modern, cashless society.

By delving into architectural models, policy frameworks, and risk management strategies, participants will gain the confidence to lead their organizations through this transformative journey. This comprehensive curriculum addresses critical topics such as interoperability, cybersecurity, legal considerations, and the intricate balance between privacy and regulatory compliance. It is an essential program for anyone looking to play a pivotal role in the future of finance and ensure a smooth, secure, and successful transition to a digital currency ecosystem.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Central bank officials and policymakers responsible for financial stability and monetary policy.
• Senior IT and technology executives in banking and financial institutions.
• Financial regulators and compliance officers focused on digital assets.
• Legal professionals specializing in financial technology and digital currency law.
• Cybersecurity and risk management professionals in the finance sector.
• Project managers leading digital transformation initiatives in central banks.
• Economists and researchers studying the impact of digital currencies.
• Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs).
• Payments system operators and fintech innovators.
• Public and private sector professionals involved in financial infrastructure development.

Objectives

• Understand the foundational concepts of CBDCs and their distinction from other digital currencies.
• Evaluate the strategic motivations and policy objectives for issuing a CBDC.
• Learn key design principles for a resilient, secure, and interoperable CBDC system.
• Analyze the IT governance frameworks required for managing a national digital currency.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity threats and mitigation strategies for CBDC infrastructure.
• Explore the legal, regulatory, and privacy challenges of a token-based or account-based system.
• Assess the economic and monetary policy implications of CBDC implementation.
• Gain insights from real-world pilot projects and global CBDC use cases.
• Formulate a roadmap for stakeholder engagement and communication during CBDC development.

Course Modules Module 1: The Rationale for Central Bank Digital Currencies

• The evolution of money and the digital payments landscape
• Comparing CBDCs with cryptocurrencies and stablecoins
• Strategic motivations for issuing a CBDC: a global perspective
• The role of CBDCs in enhancing financial inclusion and payment efficiency
• Economic and social implications of a digital currency ecosystem

Module 2: Foundational CBDC Design Principles

• Exploring wholesale vs. retail CBDC models
• Evaluating account-based versus token-based architectures
• Designing for security, resilience, and scalability
• Principles of interoperability and cross-border functionality
• Balancing user privacy with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) requirements

Module 3: CBDC Technology & Infrastructure

• The role of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and blockchain
• Centralized vs. decentralized infrastructure models for CBDCs
• Integrating with existing payment and financial systems
• The importance of offline functionality and mobile accessibility
• Managing the digital identity and authentication layer

Module 4: IT Governance for a Digital Currency

• Establishing a robust governance structure for CBDC operations
• Defining roles, responsibilities, and oversight mechanisms
• Developing policies for change management and system upgrades
• Performance monitoring, incident response, and business continuity planning
• Vendor management and public-private partnership governance

Module 5: Cybersecurity and Risk Management

• Identifying and assessing cybersecurity threats to CBDC infrastructure
• Implementing a multi-layered security architecture
• Designing for fraud prevention, data integrity, and network resilience
• Contingency planning for system failures and cyberattacks
• Best practices in threat intelligence and incident management

Module 6: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

• The legal status of CBDC as a form of money and legal tender
• Developing a regulatory sandbox for CBDC experimentation
• Addressing data protection and privacy laws (e.g., GDPR)
• The role of smart contracts and legal certainty in digital transactions
• International coordination on legal and regulatory standards

Module 7: Economic & Monetary Policy Implications

• The impact of a CBDC on financial stability and banking disintermediation
• Monetary policy tools and transmission mechanisms in a digital currency system
• Managing liquidity, interest rates, and the money supply
• The role of CBDCs in fostering competition and innovation in finance
• Assessing the fiscal implications and operational costs of a CBDC

Module 8: Global Case Studies & Pilot Programs

• A deep dive into successful and challenging CBDC projects worldwide
• Lessons learned from initiatives in different economies
• Analyzing the design choices and outcomes of specific pilots
• The role of global bodies like the BIS and IMF in shaping CBDC discourse
• Exploring future trends and the next generation of CBDC concepts

Module 9: Implementation Roadmap & Stakeholder Management

• Creating a strategic roadmap for CBDC design and implementation
• Communicating with key stakeholders, including the public, commercial banks, and government
• Developing a robust public outreach and education campaign
• Measuring success and defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for the project
• Post-implementation strategies and continuous improvement

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.