Africa Blockchain Festival 2026 Ends in Nairobi With Focus on Digital Assets

The Africa Blockchain Festival 2026 (ABF2026) has concluded in Nairobi after three days of discussions on blockchain, cryptocurrency, stablecoins, artificial intelligence, and Africa’s digital economy.

Held from October 15 to 17 at the Sarit Expo Centre and other locations in Nairobi, the festival brought together industry participants to explore how emerging technologies can support Africa’s digital development.

This year’s theme, “Capital, Code, and Continuity: Building Africa’s Permanent Digital Economy,” focused on the funding, infrastructure and collaboration needed to build sustainable digital solutions.

“The best things being built on Earth are being built here under real constraints for real needs, and we are not copying the future. We are actually writing it.” – Olubumi Fabunwa, convener of Africa Blockchain Festival 2026.

Inkryptus served as the festival’s title sponsor, supporting discussions on blockchain development and practical cryptocurrency adoption. CoinAfrica was also present at ABF2026, following developments across Africa’s blockchain and Web3 ecosystem.

Africa Blockchain Festival 2026 Brings Industry and Policy Leaders Together

The Africa Blockchain Festival 2026 followed its inaugural edition in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2025. This year, Nairobi hosted discussions on the technologies and financial systems shaping Africa’s digital economy.

The programme focused on three themes: capital, code and continuity. Together, these themes addressed funding, technology development and the long-term growth of blockchain infrastructure.

The speaker roster reflected the range of institutions involved in these conversations. Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), represented the regulatory perspective. Amb. Prof. Bitange Ndemo, immediate former ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, brought diplomatic and policy experience to the programme.

Other notable names included Daniel Mainda, Chief Executive Officer of the Nairobi International Financial Centre; Sitah Lang’o, Head of East and West Africa at SWIFT; and Mactar Sekh, Chief of Innovation at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Their institutional backgrounds highlighted the importance of regulation, financial infrastructure, investment and regional cooperation in developing Africa’s digital economy.

The programme also featured John Kamara, CEO of AICE Africa and chairman of the Africa Blockchain Centre in Nairobi, alongside Dr. Peter S. O. Onyango and Robert Muoka, chairman and CEO, respectively, of the Virtual Assets Association of Kenya.

Beyond institutional leadership, the speaker roster included entrepreneurs, investors, payment providers, cryptocurrency exchanges and technology companies. Layi Wasabi, the Nigerian comedian, actor, host and content creator, added a recognisable media and entertainment voice to the programme.

Stablecoins and Cross-Border Payments Take Centre Stage

Stablecoins featured in discussions about the future of digital payments and financial services in Africa.

One scheduled session, “Stablecoins at Work: Payroll, Commerce and Cross-Border Operations,” explored their potential role in business payments, employee compensation and international transfers.

Stablecoins are digital assets designed to maintain a relatively stable value, often by tracking currencies such as the US dollar. They can support digital transfers, although their practical benefits depend on factors such as fees, liquidity, regulation and access to local currencies.

The speaker roster included Nathaniel Ochuko Luz, president of the Africa Stablecoin Network, bringing a direct connection to the stablecoin ecosystem. Cryptocurrency exchange representation also featured through Peter Mwangi, VALR’s country manager for Kenya; Hank Coetzee, VALR’s strategic partnerships lead; Bright Eseosa Ada, MEXC Africa’s business development team leader; and Samson Ajewole, MEXC’s marketing manager.

For African businesses operating across borders, payment costs and transfer efficiency remain important considerations. Blockchain-based payment systems may provide additional options, but adoption also requires security, consumer protection and appropriate regulatory oversight.

Another scheduled session, “Exchanges, P2P and the Battle for African Liquidity,” examined liquidity challenges facing cryptocurrency exchanges and peer-to-peer platforms.

Liquidity matters because users need reliable access to buyers, sellers and ways to convert digital assets into local currencies. Without it, trading can become more expensive or difficult.

These discussions reflected the industry’s interest in practical cryptocurrency applications beyond trading and speculation.

You may also like: INKRYPTUS CEO Says Simpler Crypto Access Is Key to Africa’s Next Adoption Wave

Inkryptus Sponsors Africa Blockchain Festival 2026

Inkryptus served as the title sponsor of Africa Blockchain Festival 2026, supporting the festival’s focus on blockchain adoption and digital asset education.

The company’s representation on the speaker list included CEO Pierre Luiz Pereira, Antony Mlelwa, Keega Gachutha, Allen Shoo, Evodia Naulu Kuwese, Lilian Edwin Maeda and Patrick Guedes.

The programme included a keynote titled “Crypto Beyond Cryptocurrency” and a workshop called “Your First Crypto in 30 Minutes.” It also featured a demonstration of the Inkryptus app.

These activities reflected an important question for Africa’s crypto ecosystem: how can people move beyond awareness to understand how digital assets work, how they can be used and what risks they carry?

Cryptocurrency education is particularly relevant as digital assets feature more prominently in discussions about payments, savings and cross-border transactions.

However, greater awareness must go hand in hand with responsible use. Users need to understand price volatility, scams, wallet security and the regulations that apply in their markets.

Inkryptus’s involvement placed these issues within the festival’s broader discussion about making cryptocurrency more accessible and better understood.

Tokenisation and Digital Trade Feature on the Agenda

Tokenisation was another important subject at ABF2026.

The programme included sessions on tokenising African real-world assets and developing the legal infrastructure for a tokenised economy.

Tokenisation involves representing rights to an asset through digital tokens. Depending on the structure, it may make certain assets easier to divide, transfer or manage.

However, technology alone cannot guarantee successful adoption. Clear ownership rights, enforceable agreements, appropriate regulation and market demand are also essential.

The festival’s wider industry representation included Kelechi Uchegbulem, CEO of Passpoint, and Sheyilami Longe, its head of legal. Their inclusion reflected the participation of companies operating across the legal and business dimensions of the digital asset ecosystem.

The programme also scheduled a closed-door roundtable on implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol.

This brought digital trade into the wider conversation about blockchain and financial infrastructure. For African businesses, effective digital systems can support transactions, customer access and cross-border operations. However, those systems must also meet legal requirements and address the needs of businesses and consumers.

AI, Blockchain Infrastructure and Startup Investment

Artificial intelligence and digital identity also featured in the festival’s broader programme.

As governments and businesses develop digital services, questions about identity verification, data protection and security are becoming increasingly important. Blockchain can support verifiable records and digital ownership in some applications, while AI can help automate processes and analyse information.

The speaker roster reflected this wider technology focus. David Bobola, CEO of CompasAI, represented the AI and technology sector, while Kosen Kenta, principal at Antler, brought a venture investment perspective. Richard E. Pelzer II, founder of HarlemCLX, and Chris Oketch, founder of Minisend, were also among the listed participants.

The programme included a startup pitch showcase and a deal room intended to facilitate meetings between businesses, investors and potential partners.

Other listed speakers included Godwin Salako, lead of Navigating Web3 at NW3 Letters and NW3 Tours, and Ayo Adewuyi, CEO of Pouchers. Kelechi Uchegbulem of Passpoint also represented the startup and payments ecosystem.

For African blockchain startups, access to funding is only one part of building a sustainable business. They also need viable revenue models, effective distribution, regulatory compliance and products that solve real problems.

The festival’s emphasis on capital and continuity highlighted the importance of connecting technological innovation with long-term business development.

The published programme outlined investment and networking activities, but confirmed figures on completed deals, investments secured or partnerships signed would be needed to assess their commercial outcomes.

CoinAfrica Reports From ABF2026

CoinAfrica was present at Africa Blockchain Festival 2026, covering discussions on blockchain adoption, digital assets and the future of Africa’s digital economy.

CoinAfrica’s Publisher and CEO, Louis Dike, also moderated a fireside chat titled “From Capital Markets to Tokenized Markets,” featuring Dr. Stanley Jacob, Group Chief Innovation & Technology Officer at Meristem Securities Group.

The session explored the shift from traditional capital markets towards tokenised markets and the opportunities this transition could create for Africa’s financial ecosystem.

What Comes Next for Africa’s Blockchain Ecosystem?

The conclusion of ABF2026 leaves important questions for Africa’s blockchain industry.

Stablecoins, tokenisation and blockchain-based financial services continue to attract attention. However, their long-term impact will depend on how well they address real needs.

For stablecoins, this includes transfer costs, liquidity and access to local currencies. For tokenisation, it includes enforceable ownership rights and suitable legal frameworks. For cryptocurrency platforms, it means building trust through security, transparency and user education.

The industry must also demonstrate that new products can attract users and operate sustainably.

ABF2026 brought these issues into focus in Nairobi. The next step is to turn discussions into practical solutions, responsible adoption, and measurable benefits for African businesses and consumers.

In conclusion, the growth of Africa’s digital economy will depend on continued collaboration between technology companies, investors, regulators, and the people who use these services.