The National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) has launched a 12-month pilot program for a central bank digital currency (CBDC), following a successful proof of concept completed in late 2025. Announced on February 26, the pilot aims to boost financial inclusion by testing simple access channels like unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) and low-cost devices, ensuring accessibility for underserved communities across Kigali, a secondary city, and selected rural areas. The initiative involves merchants and stakeholders in controlled, real-life use cases, with the central bank collaborating with domestic and international partners on interoperability and potential cross-border applications. A recent NBR research paper recommended a two-tier, zero-interest CBDC with partial pseudo-anonymity to balance user privacy and regulatory oversight. The pilot is seen as a milestone in Rwanda's journey toward a more digital, resilient, and inclusive financial system.