Nairobi to host major blockchain and stablecoin summit

Nairobi will host the fourth edition of the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference (KBCC 2026) on May 14–15, bringing together fintech executives, banking leaders, telecom firms, regulators and blockchain innovators to discuss the future of Africa’s digital economy.

The conference, powered by OKX, is expected to attract more than 1,500 participants from across Africa and beyond under the theme: “Stablecoins, Payments and the Future of Africa’s Digital Economy.”

Organisers say the event reflects the growing shift from speculative crypto trading to practical blockchain applications, particularly in payments and cross-border transactions.

Stablecoins such as USDT are increasingly being adopted across Africa for remittances, merchant settlements, treasury management and international payments due to their lower transaction costs and near-instant settlement capabilities.

Industry data cited by organisers shows USDT processed more than $13 trillion in global transfer volume in 2025, with Kenya emerging as one of Africa’s leading markets for stablecoin usage.

PawaPay Chief Technology Officer Dave Evans said Africa’s long-standing adoption of mobile money has created a strong foundation for stablecoin integration into digital commerce.

HoneyCoin CEO David Nandwa noted that businesses are increasingly seeking faster settlement systems and lower cross-border transaction costs, while VALR Chief Marketing Officer Ben Caselin said financial institutions are exploring stablecoin infrastructure to improve liquidity management and enable round-the-clock payments.

The conference will also examine regulatory developments and compliance issues as governments and financial institutions seek to balance innovation with consumer protection and anti-money laundering measures.

Kotani Pay CEO Felix Macharia said KBCC has evolved into a major platform for dialogue between regulators, innovators and industry leaders shaping Africa’s digital finance sector.

The event will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and regulator roundtables focusing on payments infrastructure, blockchain adoption, policy and digital finance innovation.

Among the expected speakers are Tom Wang of OKX, Sitah Lang’o of SWIFT, Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority CEO Daniel Mainda, Apollo Sande of Luno and VALR Country Manager Peter Mwangi.

The 2025 edition attracted more than 1,600 attendees and over 70 speakers, cementing KBCC’s position as one of Africa’s leading blockchain and fintech conferences.