A New Digital Trade Vision for Africa
Africa is preparing for a major transformation as the ADAPT initiative-short for Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade-promises to overhaul how commerce moves across the continent. The program is built around blockchain technology and stablecoin-powered payments, with the goal of providing faster, cheaper, and more transparent trade flows. Launched by the AfCFTA Secretariat in partnership with the IOTA Foundation, the Tony Blair Institute, and the World Economic Forum, the project is being positioned as a blueprint for the continent’s digital trade future.
Targets: Faster Payments, Shorter Borders, Bigger Trade
ADAPT’s rollout includes ambitious goals. Dominik Schiener, co-founder and chairman of the IOTA Foundation, said the framework will be implemented across all 55 African nations by 2035, calling it a continent-wide step toward modernizing trade. According to Schiener, the initiative aims to generate “an additional $70 billion in yearly trade” while slashing border clearance times “from up to 14 days to under three days.” He added that stablecoin-based payments could cut current cross-border transaction fees from around 9% to below 3%, giving exporters far more flexibility and liquidity.
The organization confirmed that ADAPT will debut in Kenya in early 2025, before expanding to Ghana and a third, yet-unnamed nation. The full rollout will begin in 2027 and continue until 2035, marking one of Africa’s largest coordinated digital infrastructure projects to date.
Fixing Africa’s Trade Inefficiencies
Chido Munyati, Head of Africa at the World Economic Forum, said the initiative addresses one of Africa’s biggest economic barriers: deeply entrenched trade inefficiencies.
The initiative’s emphasis on digital identity, smart documentation, and interoperable payment rails is intended to simplify compliance, cut down processing time, and reduce opportunities for corruption or loss. With blockchain-verified documents and stablecoins enabling near-instant settlement, trade across Africa could enter a new era of reliability and transparency.
Crypto Adoption Across Africa Continues to Rise
ADAPT launches at a moment when crypto adoption across the continent is already surging. Data from Statista shows that more than 75 million Africans are expected to use cryptocurrencies by 2026, with continent-wide revenue projected to reach $5.1 billion. A Chainalysis report highlighted that stablecoins represent 43% of all crypto transaction volume in Sub-Saharan Africa, driven by countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia.
This rapid adoption underscores why a stablecoin-ready infrastructure like ADAPT could become a cornerstone of Africa’s digital financial landscape, reducing reliance on slow, expensive traditional payment channels.
