Over 1,000 policymakers, investors, technologists and civil society leaders are expected to gather in Nairobi, Kenya next month for the inaugural Africa Digital Assets Summit (ADAS), a 2-day conference exploring the role of blockchain, cryptocurrency and tokenisation in advancing financial inclusion across the continent.
The summit, scheduled for 29-30 April 2026 at the Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi, is convened by Kenyan economist Fred Ogola. The event will bring together stakeholders from across the digital assets ecosystem to discuss how emerging financial technologies can serve underbanked populations in Africa.
Financial inclusion at the centre
Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing digital finance markets in the world. The continent has seen rapid adoption of mobile money and cryptocurrency platforms, yet significant portions of the population remain excluded from formal financial systems.
ADAS aims to address that gap by examining how digital innovation can be deployed ethically and inclusively. The programme will cover blockchain applications, tokenisation frameworks and regulatory approaches, with discussions aligned to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development blueprint.
Nairobi as the host city
The choice of Nairobi reflects the city’s established position as a technology and fintech innovation hub. Kenya has been at the forefront of mobile financial services since the launch of M-Pesa in 2007, and the country’s growing cryptocurrency sector has drawn attention from global exchanges and regulators alike.
“Africa has the opportunity to leap from the margins of global finance to the forefront of its reinvention,” Ogola said. “Nairobi, widely renowned as the continent’s innovation hub, is the ideal setting to set the tone for this next chapter.”
Attendance and format
Attendance is by invitation only and free of charge. The summit is seeking sponsorship partners, and organisers can be contacted at [email protected].
The event adds to a growing calendar of digital finance conferences across the continent, as African nations work to establish regulatory frameworks and infrastructure for the next generation of financial services.
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