Africa is becoming a global blockchain hotspot as investments in the sector surpass other tech fields. Experts predict blockchain will be pivotal in revolutionising finance, trade, and agriculture across the continent.
Africa Emerges as Global Leader in Blockchain Investment
In a landmark shift that underscores Africa’s rising prominence in digital innovation, blockchain-focused venture capital in the continent has outpaced all other sectors this year. The trend, highlighted in the latest Africa Blockchain Report by Absa, confirms the growing relevance of blockchain technology well beyond its roots in cryptocurrency.
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit in November—the first on African soil—the topic of inclusive digital development is set to take centre stage. The Business20 and G20 task teams are expected to delve deep into how emerging technologies like blockchain can drive sustainable growth and address long-standing developmental gaps.
“Blockchain’s recent trajectory in Africa reveals immense potential to transform economies, enhance transparency, and unlock entirely new markets,” reads the Absa 2025 report.
Driving Financial Inclusion Through Smart Infrastructure
The report emphasises how blockchain’s decentralised and immutable structure is fast becoming an essential tool in building robust financial systems. As digital infrastructure investment rises, both international and local backers are recognising Africa’s talent pool and entrepreneurial potential in the tech space.
“Blockchain transactions are resistant to alteration because, once recorded, the data in any given block cannot be changed retroactively without altering all subsequent blocks and obtaining network consensus,” the report explains.
Moreover, the fusion of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) is helping banks and fintech companies improve risk assessment models by combining traditional financial data with new sources such as mobile money and digital wallets. This innovative approach is unlocking access to credit for previously unbanked populations.
Transforming Trade and Supply Chains
Africa’s intra-continental trade currently makes up less than a quarter of its total trade volumes. However, blockchain could soon change that. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) projected to integrate a $3.4 trillion market, blockchain-enabled trade finance and stablecoin solutions could significantly reduce cross-border transaction costs and boost liquidity for SMEs.
Global corporations are already taking note. Firms such as Hyundai and DP World are using blockchain to manage carbon emissions and track cargo in real time—technologies that could soon become commonplace across Africa.
Revolutionising Agriculture and Building Trust
Agriculture, long overlooked in tech innovation, is now seeing the benefits of blockchain. From planting to harvest, farmers are using blockchain to record data, ensuring traceability and authenticity in food production. The technology is also being harnessed to improve crop yields and access services like veterinary care, insurance, and credit.
“This is an essential way of enabling digital and financial inclusion,” the report notes, especially for smallholder farmers who represent the backbone of Africa’s food systems.
Preparing for the Next Digital Leap
Looking ahead, the adoption of blockchain is expected to increase, particularly as regulatory frameworks adapt to emerging technologies. Financial institutions are beginning to embrace smart contracts, real-time transaction monitoring, and decentralised systems that could soon render some intermediaries obsolete.
“Whether you’re a believer in decentralisation or a believer that blockchain technology can offer new centralised infrastructure, there’s no doubt that increased peer-to-peer transactions are already happening and will continue to proliferate,” the report concludes.
As G20 and B20 policies evolve and implementation begins, Africa may well find itself not just participating in the global blockchain revolution—but leading it.
