Grace Ashiru
The Blockchain Africa Conference 2024 took place on November 20 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Tshwane, South Africa. Celebrating its 10th edition, the conference has become a flagship event for blockchain enthusiasts and professionals, drawing participants from across the globe. Since its inception in 2015, the conference has hosted 10,900 attendees from 160 countries, making it a cornerstone of Africa’s blockchain ecosystem.
The theme for the 2024 edition, “Ready for Business,” reflected blockchain technology’s evolution from theoretical possibilities to practical applications. The event featured 19 sessions, 37 speakers, and three workshops, providing a platform for meaningful discussions, innovation sharing, and actionable insights. Master of Ceremonies Chipo Mushwana, Executive for Payments and Technology at Nedbank, opened the event, welcoming attendees to a day filled with forward-thinking perspectives.
Keynote speakers included prominent figures such as Stafford Masie, who explored Bitcoin’s Proof of Work consensus mechanism and its far-reaching implications. Ernest Mbenkum, founder of the Bantu Blockchain Foundation, presented the transformative potential of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), emphasizing its ability to enhance intra-African trade by streamlining cross-border payments. Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, discussed blockchain’s role in reshaping finance, governance, and education in Africa.
The conference attracted a diverse audience, with strong representation from financial institutions, fintech startups, academia, and software development. Of the 411 attendees, 91.73% were from Africa, with South Africa leading at 85%. Other notable countries included Nigeria (3%), the USA (2%), and Ghana (1%), reflecting the event’s continental and international appeal.
Workshops added depth to the conference, covering topics such as real-world asset tokenization and automated trading strategies. Sean Emery of RainFin discussed South Africa’s regulatory framework for tokenizing real assets, while Jurgen Kuhnel of Xago Technologies shared practical insights on using automated trading platforms to navigate digital currency markets effectively.
Sponsors played a significant role in ensuring the event’s success. Tether, a leader in the stablecoin market, supported the conference alongside Staking4All, a provider of Proof-of-Stake services, and other industry leaders. These sponsors highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue and adoption within the blockchain community.
The conference concluded with a cocktail and networking event, fostering connections among attendees. A subsequent Cape Town meetup extended the networking opportunities, featuring notable speakers such as Hannes Wessels of Binance and Jason Marshall of Yellow Card, further cementing the event’s influence within the African blockchain landscape.
As the Blockchain Africa Conference enters its next decade, its commitment to showcasing innovation and advancing blockchain adoption remains steadfast. The 2024 event was a testament to its enduring impact, creating a space for collaboration, learning, and progress within the blockchain ecosystem.
