• Kigali hosted Africa Blockchain Festival 2025, uniting 1,000+ investors, developers, and regulators to explore blockchain’s economic impact.
• Discussions focused on AI, financial inclusion, and transparency, highlighting how blockchain can advance Africa’s digital transformation.
• Startups in the sector raised USD 34.7 million in 2024, and participants called for stronger infrastructure and clear policies to scale innovation.

Kigali, Rwanda, hosted the Africa Blockchain Festival 2025 from November 7 to 9, bringing together more than 1,000 investors, regulators, and innovators to explore how blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) can support Africa’s economic integration and digital transformation. Held under the theme “Africa’s AI and Blockchain Renaissance,” the festival focused on the practical applications of emerging technologies in finance, education, and governance. Sessions such as “Digital Safety: Privacy, Scams & Deepfakes” and “The Future of Work” examined how digital tools can help tackle cybersecurity risks and evolving employment challenges across the continent.

A highlight of the event was the panel “Youth Builders: How Africa’s Young Developers Are Changing Tech,” which showcased innovators using blockchain, DeFi, and AI to create solutions for education, social impact, and financial inclusion. Speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening infrastructure, developing talent, and implementing supportive policies to scale these innovations.

During a session led by Abraham Augustine of Norrsken, startups received guidance on navigating investor relations in a constrained funding climate. Despite global slowdowns, African blockchain startups raised about USD 34.7 million in 2024, across 12 reported deals—signaling consistent, if cautious, investor interest.

According to CV VC Africa and Crypto Valley Journal, blockchain startups on the continent attracted over USD 474 million between 2021 and 2023, with Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa leading adoption. Beyond cryptocurrency, African companies are increasingly using blockchain for agriculture, healthcare, remittances, and identity verification, marking a gradual shift toward infrastructure-focused applications.

Discussions at the festival highlighted that, with Africa’s digital economy projected to reach USD 180 billion by 2030, blockchain could enhance financial inclusion, supply-chain transparency, and the efficiency of cross-border trade. Participants concluded with calls for clear regulatory frameworks and continental collaboration to ensure blockchain and AI contribute to sustainable growth.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang