Olubunmi Fabanwo, the lead convener of the Africa Blockchain Festival, has said making blockchain simple and relevant for Africans will be the focus as stakeholders converged on Kigali, Rwanda, to chart the continent’s pathway into the global digital economy.
“The aim is to make blockchain simple and relevant for Africans. It is about connecting people with real opportunities and creating spaces where solutions can be shared,” said Fabanwo, adding that the festival will also delve into unleashing untapped opportunities for African creatives.
The three-day festival, scheduled for November 7–9, 2025, will bring together regulators, investors, entrepreneurs, and young innovators from across the continent. According to the organisers, the festival will offer a forum for practical discussions on navigating emerging technologies in agriculture, business, governance, and entertainment.
Fabanwo also disclosed that the idea behind the festival had been in the works for four years before being finalized for 2025; saying that creativity knows no borders in the blockchain economy.
“A designer in Lagos sells to a buyer in London without a middleman. A musician in Nairobi gets instant royalties from fans in California. A filmmaker in Accra raises funds directly from their audience. This is the power we want African creatives to harness,” Fabanwo stated.
According to him, two flagship networking events are planned for the festival, which are ‘Kigali Digital Connect’ and the ‘Afro-Tech Connect Gala’ that will combine cultural showcases with technology demonstrations. “These sessions will highlight how Africa’s artistic identity gets amplified through digital solutions.”
Exhibitors will include both creative startups and tech innovators, while the festival will also give artists the chance to form partnerships with AI developers, blockchain platforms, and fintech companies.
