Early Setback For eNaira As Google Play Store Removes App Over Complaints

Less than two days after its launch by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the eNaira application has been removed from Google Play Store after series of complaints by users.

The digital currency has two applications, which are eNaira speed wallet and eNaira merchant wallet. They were rolled out on the Google play store and the Apple store.

The eNaira was developed by the fintech company, Bitt, which was also responsible for the creation of CBDC in some East Caribbean countries.

At the launch on Monday, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, boasted that 500 million eNaira ($1.21 million) has already been minted.

A notice on the eNaira website explained how the currency and the wallet would work.

“Get Ready With Your Accurate BVN Data For Your Hitch-Free Enrolment.

“To sign-up on the eNaira speed wallet, you would be required to input the following details exactly as captured during your BVN enrollment.

“First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, State of Origin, and Email.

“Your banks are waiting to assist you in validating and updating your BVN details to ensure seamless enrolment to the eNaira platform.”

However, negative reactions have trailed the launch of the app as many users complained of several issues, ranging from the inability to link their Bank Verification number, to getting a verification email.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the app had only gained 1.9 stars out of 5 stars preview, leading to its removal from the Google play store. However, the app is currently available on the Apple app store with 2.6 over 5 ratings.

Also, in the review section, many Nigerians expressed their displeasure.

A user, Moyosore Fagbemigun, despite giving four stars, wrote: ”After sign up, I did not get the verification email in my BVN linked email. I have checked the spam folder and nothing yet. Easy registration process.”

Another user, Oscar Alexander, who gave it one star rating, noted, “I tried registering the first time. Told me there was no email attached to my BVN. I tried my other bank account. It told me an invalid account number. Lol. Now it says too many attempts with the same BVN. What a joke!”

“Every single attempt to get registered on the platform seems futile. It kept giving a prompt invalid BVN whereas my BVN is valid,” another user had said before the app was taken down.

It was observed that majority of the users gave the app one star. It is not clear whether the app was removed due to the poor rating it suffered or if the CBN had done that itself.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in a conference at the beginning of the month, promised that the country would start digital Naira currency.

“The eNaira would operate as a wallet through which customers could hold existing funds in their bank accounts, and that this would accelerate financial inclusion and enable cheaper and faster remittance inflows,” Emefiele said.