Africa’s push toward a modern, digital trade system is gaining serious momentum. On 17 November 2025, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat — in partnership with the IOTA Foundation, the Tony Blair Institute, and the World Economic Forum — announced a transformative initiative aimed at embedding stablecoin-powered settlement across the continent.
The programme, known as ADAPT (Africa Digital Access & Public Infrastructure for Trade), is designed to overhaul how African countries trade with one another by introducing blockchain-powered rails, digitised documentation, and stablecoin settlement systems.
A $70 Billion Opportunity for Intra-African Trade
AfCFTA’s core mission is to deepen trade between the continent’s 55 nations. Today, intra-African trade accounts for roughly 15%, primarily due to lengthy settlement times, currency conversion costs, and fragmented payment systems.
The new digital trade infrastructure aims to:
- Double intra-African trade volumes
- Unlock an estimated $70 billion in new regional value
- Standardise cross-border settlement through stablecoins
- Digitise trade documents and customs processes using blockchain
- Tokenise assets to reduce fraud and improve transparency
See more related: WhatsApp Stablecoin Payments Transform Mobile Money in Africa
Stablecoins — particularly USDT and USDC — are positioned as the settlement layer for cross-border commerce, providing the price stability and liquidity needed for large-scale trade.
Why Stablecoins Matter Now
Local currencies in many African markets face persistent volatility. For businesses moving goods across multiple borders, stablecoins offer:
- Faster settlement
- Lower fees
- A hedge against inflation and FX swings
- Interoperability across jurisdictions
This makes stablecoins not just a speculative asset, but a core financial infrastructure for Africa’s emerging digital economy.
Building Public-Private Rails for Trade
A partnership between governments, global institutions, and blockchain innovators drives the ADAPT initiative. Its focus extends beyond payments to include:
- Shared digital identity for traders
- Standardised digital certificates of origin
- Blockchain-secured logistics documents
- Compliance automation for customs and tax authorities
If executed effectively, Africa could pioneer one of the world’s most advanced trade infrastructures — built natively on Web3 technology.
The Road Ahead
Stablecoin adoption in Africa has historically been driven by retail users seeking protection from currency instability. With this initiative, stablecoins are evolving into strategic instruments for national trade, supply chains, and industrial policy.
As implementation begins in 2026, AfCFTA members will start onboarding trade platforms, testing stablecoin settlement pilots, and integrating tokenised documentation into national systems.
Africa’s digital trade revolution has officially begun — and stablecoins are at the centre of it.
