The Alliance Fintech UEMOA is organizing the Africa Blockchain & Crypto Conference 2026, scheduled to take place on November 25, 2026, at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa. The conference, themed "Digital Assets in UEMOA: Building Trust through Regulation, Securing Ecosystems, and Unlocking Value," aims to foster a coordinated response within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). The event will bring together public authorities, regulators, financial intelligence cells, banks, fintechs, payment infrastructures, blockchain and crypto-asset actors, investors, researchers, and cybersecurity experts.
The conference seeks to address the growing importance of digital assets in economic policy. Stablecoins, blockchain networks, and tokenization are increasingly being used for various functions beyond cryptocurrency exchange, including value transfer, settlement, treasury management, financing, capital mobilization, and digital representation of real assets. For UEMOA, these developments raise questions about efficiency, user protection, financial integrity, and control of critical infrastructures. The program will cover topics such as the geopolitics of digital dollars, the potential effects of stablecoins on monetary sovereignty, dependence on foreign infrastructures, data security, and the resilience of intermediaries.
The conference builds on previous events, including the Crypto UEMOA Initiative in Dakar on May 7-8, 2026, and Abidjan on July 1-2, 2026. In Dakar, discussions with the ecosystem and institutional stakeholders emphasized the need for training, public-private cooperation, and progressive regulation proportionate to risks. In Abidjan, consultations with seven institutional groups highlighted concrete needs, including mapping actors and flows, strengthening blockchain transaction analysis, clarifying rules, training teams, and preparing supervised experiments. ABCC 2026 aims to scale up these priorities at the regional level.
The conference will focus on preparing decisions, strengthening capacities, instructing projects, and monitoring deliverables after Cotonou. The event will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by digital assets in the UEMOA region. By fostering dialogue and cooperation, ABCC 2026 aims to promote a coordinated approach to regulating and harnessing the potential of digital assets.
The UEMOA region is increasingly recognizing the importance of digital assets in its economic development. The conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices in regulating and leveraging digital assets. By addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by digital assets, the conference aims to contribute to the growth and development of the UEMOA region.
The Africa Blockchain & Crypto Conference 2026 is expected to attract a large and diverse audience, including policymakers, regulators, industry experts, and investors. The event will provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders to network, collaborate, and explore new opportunities in the digital asset space. By bringing together key stakeholders, ABCC 2026 aims to promote a coordinated and forward-thinking approach to digital assets in the UEMOA region.
The conference is organized by the Alliance Fintech UEMOA, a leading organization in promoting fintech and digital innovation in West Africa. The event is supported by various partners, including Social Net Link, a prominent media outlet covering technology and startup news in Africa. With its focus on promoting a coordinated approach to digital assets, ABCC 2026 is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of digital assets in the UEMOA region.
Key points
- The Africa Blockchain & Crypto Conference 2026 will focus on building trust in digital assets through regulation and securing ecosystems.
- The conference aims to promote a coordinated approach to regulating and harnessing the potential of digital assets in the UEMOA region.
- The event will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, industry experts, and investors.
