From 15 to 17 October 2026, Nairobi hosts the Africa Blockchain Festival (ABF) 2026, co-organised with World Token Summit 4.0. Themed "Capital, Code and Continuity: Building Africa's Permanent Digital Economy", the event brings together participants from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America at the Sarit Expo Centre.
Silicon Savannah as a global Web3 hub
Governments, venture capital funds, startups, regulators, financial institutions, developers and academics share three days of programming structured around blockchain, artificial intelligence, decentralised finance, asset tokenisation, stablecoins and cross-border payments. Investor forums, startup showcases and technical workshops complete the calendar.
The event has the backing of Tim Draper, the American billionaire known for his investments in Bitcoin and global tech startups, signalling significant international visibility. Olubunmi Fabanwo (co-founder and CEO of ABF) and Ahmed Refaie (founder of the World Token Summit) lead the initiative.
Digital identity and payments: the concrete stakes
ABF is more than technological foresight. Sessions cover immediately actionable topics: cybersecurity, digital identity, regulatory frameworks and blockchain-driven financial inclusion. Organisers argue that Africa can "leapfrog traditional development models" by adopting next-generation digital infrastructure without the burden of legacy systems.
Why it matters
Nairobi, nicknamed "Silicon Savannah", is consolidating its position as East Africa's tech capital. For Indian Ocean economies, the event offers a direct connection to the investment and innovation ecosystems shaping the continent's future.
Sources: Citizen Digital, The Standard Media, Africa Blockchain Festival, All Africa, September–October 2026.