Africa’s Blockchain Trade Revolution: What’s Really Coming in 2035?

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It was an announcement that could have been lifted from the pages of a tech utopia novel-except it’s real. A formidable coalition comprising the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Iota Foundation, the Tony Blair Institute, and the World Economic Forum has come together in a most extraordinary alliance. Their mission? To build a digital future for Africa-one blockchain, stablecoin, and interoperable digital identity at a time. Truly, it’s a noble cause, no doubt. Yet, one wonders: is the world ready for a trade revolution wrapped in tech garb?

Unveiled this Monday, the Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade (ADAPT) is set to revolutionize the continent’s economic landscape. Described as an open-source public network (you know, for the people), ADAPT promises to facilitate cross-border payments using stablecoins, and to securely store digital trade documents. Oh, and did I mention that it will also serve as a digital identity hub? Fancy stuff, right?

According to Dominik Schiener, co-founder and chairman of the Iota Foundation (a title that sounds as impressive as it is hard to pronounce), the ADAPT platform aims to roll out across Africa’s 55 nations by 2035. The goal? To streamline trade operations faster than you can say ‘blockchain’-well, almost. By 2035, the plan is to boost trade by $70 billion annually, cut border clearance times from weeks to mere hours, and slash cross-border payment fees from a painful 6-9% to something far more palatable. Imagine that. A world where paperwork is no longer the king of inefficiency.

“With ADAPT, customs clearing will go from weeks to hours, cross-border payments will be reduced to below 3%, and exporters will have access to global trade finance liquidity,” said Schiener, with all the enthusiasm of someone who just realized they’ve discovered the secret to a faster and more efficient world.

ADAPT Will Begin in Kenya: Ready for the Challenge?

The grand unveiling of this techno-wonder will begin in Kenya in the first quarter of next year, with Ghana and another undisclosed country joining in soon after. The full-scale rollout, according to the Iota Foundation, is expected to be completed by 2035. So, while we all wait for this digital dream to come true, the tech world is no doubt preparing its victory lap in anticipation of what is bound to be an exhilarating ride.

“This will be a long and challenging road,” said Schiener, as though he were speaking of a heroic trek through the African savannah. “But thanks to the AfCFTA’s commitment and the unwavering dedication of our partners, we will connect Africa with the world’s most modern digital trade infrastructure.” Now, that’s a statement worthy of the grandest of ambitions.

Of course, the technology is no stranger to testing. It has already been trialed in the UK and the Netherlands, proving its worth in more traditional markets. A good start, no doubt, but one can’t help but wonder how it will fare in Africa’s diverse and often unpredictable landscape.

The Case of the Missing Trade Efficiency

In the words of Chido Munyati, head of Africa at the World Economic Forum, “Trade inefficiencies remain one of the key barriers to business growth.” Who would argue with that? Paper-based documents, slow customs payments, and all the trappings of inefficiency have long plagued Africa’s trade landscape. But here’s the twist-digitization, it seems, holds the potential to change the game.

“The digitalization of trade processes has the power to transform how African economies connect and collaborate.”

If only it were as simple as clicking a button, right? Unfortunately, we’re talking about a continent where even the simplest tasks can take days, if not weeks. But with ADAPT, the hope is to turn this trade nightmare into a dream where the world moves at the speed of a click-no more weeks, no more headaches.

Africa’s Crypto Surge: Not Just a Fad

But wait, there’s more! Africa’s love affair with cryptocurrency is far from a fleeting trend. By 2026, more than 75 million Africans are expected to be engaging with crypto-yes, you read that right. That’s over 5% of the population, a figure that’s only growing. And stablecoins? They’re already making waves, accounting for nearly half (43%, to be exact) of Sub-Saharan Africa’s total transaction volume. It’s clear that Africa isn’t just dabbling in the digital currency pool-it’s diving headfirst into it, with countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia leading the charge.

And the projected revenue from all this? A cool $5.1 billion by 2026. Makes you wonder if the blockchain revolution is less of a tech trend and more of a future-shaping force. Keep watching-this could be a ride worth taking.

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2025-11-18 09:43