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This week, Africa’s crypto scene continued to evolve across three key fronts: innovation, adoption, and regulation. From the DePIN Summit lighting up Kenya’s capital to South Africa’s growing dominance in merchant crypto payments — and Nigeria’s bold step to tighten oversight with a new securities law — it’s clear that the continent is becoming a key battleground for Web3 progress.
🇰🇪 Kenya: DePIN Summit Sparks Decentralized Innovation Buzz
Nairobi played host to the first-ever African DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) Summit, drawing builders, investors, and policy leaders from across the continent and beyond. The event spotlighted how blockchain can be applied to real-world infrastructure — think decentralized Wi-Fi, GPS alternatives, and energy grids.
Key highlights included:
- Partnerships announced between African telcos and blockchain infrastructure startups.
- Pilot projects for decentralized mesh networks aimed at underserved rural areas.
- A panel on “DePIN for Public Good”, emphasizing use cases in climate, agriculture, and mobility.
“The future of infrastructure in Africa could be peer-to-peer,” said summit speaker Njeri Wambua, founder of Nairobi-based IoT startup NetLayer. “DePIN gives us a chance to leapfrog outdated systems.”
🇿🇦 South Africa: Leading the Way in Crypto Payments
South Africa has quietly emerged as Africa’s leader in real-world crypto adoption, with new data from Chainalysis showing it ranks highest on the continent for merchant crypto payments in Q1 2025.
What’s driving it?
- Stablecoins (especially USDT and USDC) are increasingly being accepted in retail and hospitality sectors.
- Regulatory clarity from the South African Reserve Bank has encouraged fintech platforms to integrate crypto payments.
- Crypto-savvy tourism and a vibrant tech ecosystem in Cape Town and Johannesburg are helping drive demand.
Local startup PayMint reported a 28% increase in crypto transactions at point-of-sale terminals since January.
🇳🇬 Nigeria: New Securities Law Targets Crypto Sector
On the regulatory front, Nigeria made waves by passing a comprehensive Securities Markets Act that formally brings crypto assets under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Key features of the new law:
- Requires registration of crypto exchanges, wallet providers, and token issuers.
- Introduces consumer protection provisions and AML/KYC mandates.
- Grants the SEC powers to halt or investigate unlicensed crypto activities.
Reactions were mixed. While some see the move as a step toward legitimacy, others worry about enforcement challenges and the potential chilling effect on innovation.
Crypto lawyer Adeolu Martins noted, “This is a double-edged sword — it gives structure, but without supportive policies, it could stifle the grassroots projects Nigeria is known for.”
Africa’s crypto future isn’t unfolding in one place — it’s emerging in pieces, across cities, countries, and regions, each with its own story. Whether it’s infrastructure innovation in Kenya, real-world utility in South Africa, or the regulatory recalibration in Nigeria, the continent remains one of the most dynamic and fast-evolving arenas in the global Web3 movement.
With upcoming regional forums, ongoing pilot programs, and further regulatory moves expected in Q2, all eyes remain on Africa as a proving ground for blockchain’s real-world potential.
