The convergence of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and monetary policy is fundamentally redefining the role of central banks in the global financial system. As smart contracts automate transactions and blockchain networks create new forms of value exchange, monetary authorities must develop a sophisticated understanding of these technologies to maintain control, stability, and a competitive edge. This specialized training course, Smart Money Architect: A Central Banker's Guide to DLT, provides a critical deep dive into the practical applications and strategic implications of these innovations, empowering professionals to design robust frameworks for a decentralized future.

This program is meticulously structured for leaders who need to move beyond theoretical concepts and into actionable strategies for integrating DLT. Participants will learn how to leverage smart contracts for efficient policy implementation, understand the risks of programmable money, and explore the potential for enhancing financial inclusion and cross-border payments. By focusing on real-world challenges and opportunities, this course ensures that central bank professionals are not just reacting to technological change but are actively shaping the next generation of monetary and financial systems.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Monetary policy committee members and senior advisors.
• Central bank research economists and analysts.
• Financial market infrastructure staff responsible for payment systems.
• Legal and compliance professionals specializing in financial technology.
• Cybersecurity and IT specialists from central bank departments.
• Regulators and supervisors overseeing digital assets.
• Treasury and debt management officials.
• Officials from international financial institutions.
• Public relations and communications staff managing policy narratives.
• Innovation and fintech department leaders.

Objectives

• Analyze the foundational concepts of blockchain, DLT, and smart contracts.
• Assess the impact of programmable money on monetary policy transmission mechanisms.
• Formulate policy strategies for issuing and managing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
• Evaluate the risks and opportunities of decentralized finance (DeFi) from a central bank perspective.
• Understand the role of DLT in modernizing payment systems and cross-border transactions.
• Develop regulatory frameworks for smart contracts and blockchain-based financial products.
• Identify and mitigate cybersecurity threats and operational risks associated with DLT.
• Learn from international case studies on the implementation of smart contracts in central banking.
• Propose governance models for collaborative DLT projects and public-private partnerships.

Course Modules Module 1: Foundations of DLT and Smart Contracts

• The core principles of blockchain and distributed ledger technology
• How smart contracts function and their potential for automation
• The difference between public, private, and consortium blockchains
• Consensus mechanisms and their implications for financial systems
• The evolution from cryptocurrencies to institutional DLT applications

Module 2: Impact on Monetary Policy Transmission

• How digital assets affect money supply and demand
• The potential for disintermediation of commercial banks and its effects
• New channels for interest rate policy and liquidity management
• The role of a CBDC in a DLT-enabled monetary environment
• Analyzing data from on-chain transactions for economic indicators

Module 3: CBDCs and Programmable Money

• The rationale behind issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency
• Design choices for a CBDC (e.g., retail vs. wholesale, token vs. account-based)
• The concept of programmable money and its policy implications
• Exploring smart contracts for automated fiscal and monetary policies
• Legal and governance considerations for a national digital currency

Module 4: Financial Stability and Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

• The structure of DeFi and its core components (e.g., lending protocols, decentralized exchanges)
• Identifying systemic risks and vulnerabilities in DeFi ecosystems
• The potential for DeFi to create new forms of shadow banking
• Regulatory approaches to managing risk in a decentralized environment
• The role of central banks in monitoring and mitigating DeFi-related threats

Module 5: Payments and Market Infrastructure

• How DLT can enhance the speed, efficiency, and security of payment systems
• The use of smart contracts for automating clearing and settlement
• Improving cross-border payments through DLT and digital currencies
• Assessing the operational resilience of blockchain-based market infrastructures
• The future of payment system design and central bank oversight

Module 6: Regulatory and Legal Frameworks

• The legal status of smart contracts and digital assets
• Developing an appropriate regulatory perimeter for DLT applications
• The role of regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs
• Anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) in a DLT world
• Ensuring data privacy and consumer protection in blockchain-based finance

Module 7: Cybersecurity and Operational Risk

• Cybersecurity threats specific to DLT and smart contracts
• Best practices for securing blockchain networks and digital wallets
• The importance of operational resilience for central bank DLT projects
• Auditing and vulnerability testing for smart contracts
• The governance of shared DLT infrastructure and managing third-party risks

Module 8: International Cooperation and Governance

• The need for global standards and regulatory harmonization for DLT
• Learning from international collaboration projects and cross-border pilots
• The role of international bodies like the BIS in shaping DLT governance
• Addressing the challenges of digital asset ownership and jurisdictional conflicts
• Developing a framework for sovereign DLT and international interoperability

Module 9: The Future of Central Banking

• The potential of blockchain for central bank data management and analytics
• Exploring the impact of quantum computing on DLT and cryptography
• The long-term implications for financial inclusion and stability
• The central bank's evolving role as a technology innovator and market steward
• Strategic planning for adapting to continuous technological disruption

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.