The Africa Blockchain Festival 2026 is set to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from October 15 to 17, at the Sarit Expo Centre. The event is expected to draw over 3,000 participants, including policymakers, investors, technology companies, innovators, businesspeople, and financial institutions from Africa and beyond. Tanzania's digital transformation efforts will be a key topic of discussion, with a focus on leveraging technology to drive economic growth and improve competitiveness.
The Tanzania Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC) Director General, Dr. Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga, will participate in the festival, highlighting Tanzania's commitment to digital transformation. The government has identified digital transformation as a priority for the 2026/27 financial year, including the use of AI, Big Data, and blockchain to improve government systems, revenue collection, and the digital economy. A national ICT infrastructure development plan covering 2026 to 2036 has also been introduced.
Africa Blockchain Festival Founder and Coordinator Olubunmi Fabanwo emphasized that Tanzania has moved beyond discussions on digital transformation and is now focusing on building the necessary infrastructure, skills, and emerging technologies for a modern economy. He noted that African countries need to develop local capacity rather than relying heavily on solutions developed outside the continent. Tanzania's participation in discussions on AI, blockchain, digital payments, and technology infrastructure is crucial.
The festival will examine the use of stablecoins, including USDC and USDT, for cross-border payments. Minisend, the festival's official payment partner, is developing a system that allows individuals and businesses to receive stablecoins through different blockchain networks and connect them to familiar financial channels. This is particularly relevant for Tanzania, which has widespread use of mobile financial services.
The Bank of Tanzania continues to monitor developments in digital assets, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and public digital infrastructure in the financial sector. However, cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender in Tanzania. The festival will also cover investment, regulation, financial infrastructure, innovation, startups, smart contracts, hackathons, and the convergence of blockchain, AI, and the creator economy.
Inkryptus has been announced as the title sponsor, while VALR, Nairobi International Financial Centre, ADI Foundation, MEXC, Minisend, and Passpoint are among the participants. The festival's theme, “Capital, Code and Continuity”, reflects the need for collaboration and innovation in the digital economy. Tanzania's participation is seen as crucial, as Africa's technological future should not be shaped by a single city.
The Africa Blockchain Festival provides a platform for Tanzania to showcase its efforts in digital transformation and its commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth. With a focus on building local capacity and developing emerging technologies, the festival is expected to drive meaningful discussions and collaborations that will shape the future of the digital economy in Africa. Key areas for digital skills development, including Big Data Analytics, blockchain, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, will also be highlighted.
Key points
- Tanzania's digital transformation efforts will be discussed at the Africa Blockchain Festival 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
- The festival will cover investment, regulation, financial infrastructure, innovation, startups, smart contracts, hackathons, and the convergence of blockchain, AI, and the creator economy.
- Tanzania has moved beyond discussions on digital transformation and is now focusing on building the necessary infrastructure, skills, and emerging technologies for a modern economy.
