The Africa Startup festival Blok AI showcased an AI agent that allows users to buy, sell, and send crypto directly from WhatsApp.
Blok AI was live at the Africa Startup Festival (ASF), Africa’s premier platform for startups and investors. The festival, held at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos, brings together innovators from across the continent to showcase products, share ideas, and form meaningful partnerships.
Blok AI Shines, Led by Its Founder
Amid this vibrant ecosystem, Blok AI’s presence was impossible to miss. The product, designed to simplify crypto through WhatsApp, drew significant attention from attendees eager to see how it works.
According to the founder of Blok, Chinonso Godswill Chijioke—a proud Port Harcourt–bred founder whose early work in tech and crypto began in the South-South.
Blok AI was built to make crypto feel like everyday money. “Crypto is money—not something reserved for a select few,” Nonso shared during an interview at the festival.
He emphasized that with Blok, there is no need to download another app just to convert crypto to naira. Many users worry about “weird-looking crypto apps” attracting unnecessary attention from uniformed personnel. Blok solves that by operating directly inside WhatsApp, the app we all know, use and already trust—removing barriers for crypto adoption and making crypto accessible for everyone.
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Engagement and Key Moments
The Blok AI booth attracted a mix of startup founders, tech executives, and curious first-time users. Many were impressed by the seamless integration of AI and WhatsApp. Several investors noted that Blok AI solves a real problem —complexity—especially for users who just want safe, fast crypto access without stress.
Participants spoke highly of the simplicity, speed, and convenience of signing up and performing transactions with Basic chat commands. One attendee, Mrs. IB, described it as “the most fascinating thing I’ve seen today.” For many Nigerians, WhatsApp already feels like home, and Blok AI fits naturally into that environment.
Beyond demos, the booth offered interactive experiences, including games, giveaways, and high-quality Blok merchandise such as urban merch, tote bags, Blok Ultra stickers, gift boxes, notebooks, caps, and more. The team actively engaged visitors, answered questions, and ran live demos, helping first-time users understand the vision behind Blok AI.
Participants were particularly impressed by the ability to check live buy/sell rates instantly and complete transactions with simple commands like “Hello Blok, I want to buy crypto.” all on whatsapp. These features streamline adoption and provide a secure, stress-free way to engage with digital currencies.
Blok AI’s Growing Footprint: From Port Harcourt to Lagos
Blok AI first gained its earliest buzz in the South-South—particularly in Port Harcourt, where Nonso first began shaping the vision. Moving into the Lagos ecosystem through ASF marks a powerful next chapter, expanding Blok’s reach while staying rooted in the communities that shaped its beginnings.
Successful Exhibition & What’s Next
ASF 2025 was a major milestone for Blok AI. The team received valuable feedback, formed new partnerships, and gained a deeper understanding of what everyday crypto users truly need. As Blok AI prepares for its broader rollout, it is well-positioned to bring crypto closer to users across Africa—starting from the South-South and expanding nationwide.
