Tanzania’s digital transformation takes centre Stage at Africa blockchain festival
TANZANIA’s growing focus on artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital transformation is set to feature prominently at the Africa Blockchain Festival 2026 in Nairobi.
The Information and Communication Technologies Commission (ICTC) Director General Dr. Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga is expected to participate in the event which will take place from October 15 to 17 and is expected to attract more than 3,000 policymakers, investors, technology companies, developers, entrepreneurs and financial institutions from Africa and international markets.
Mwasaga’s participation comes as Tanzania advances a broader digital transformation agenda that includes artificial intelligence, Big Data and blockchain.
The government has identified digital transformation as a priority for the 2026/27 financial year, while the country has also published a National ICT Infrastructure Development Plan covering 2026 to 2036 and developed a longer-term Digital Economy Strategic Framework.
The ICT Commission has identified artificial intelligence, Big Data Analytics, blockchain, cloud computing and cybersecurity as key emerging technology areas requiring continued development of specialist skills.
Olubunmi Fabanwo, founder and convener of the Africa Blockchain Festival, said Tanzania’s involvement reflected the importance of regional cooperation as technologies increasingly converge.
“Tanzania is moving beyond simply talking about digital transformation and is increasingly looking at the infrastructure, skills and emerging technologies required to build a modern digital economy,” Fabanwo said.
The country’s financial sector is also examining developments involving virtual assets and emerging payment technologies.
According to the Bank of Tanzania’s National Payment Systems Annual Report 2025, published in 2026, virtual assets, central bank digital currencies, supervisory technologies and digital public infrastructure are among the developments being considered as the payment system evolves.
Cryptocurrencies are not recognised as legal tender in Tanzania, with the central bank highlighting concerns including consumer protection, financial integrity, price volatility and cyber risks.
At the same time, authorities continue to examine potential applications of distributed ledger technology and developments surrounding virtual assets and central bank digital currencies.
The Bank of Tanzania has also established a regulatory sandbox framework for testing innovative financial products and services under regulatory supervision.
At the Nairobi festival, stablecoins and blockchain-based payment infrastructure are expected to receive significant attention, particularly their potential applications in cross-border transactions, remittances and merchant payments.
Minisend, the festival’s official payment partner, is developing a cross-chain settlement platform intended to facilitate stablecoin transfers across supported blockchain networks and connect digital assets with conventional financial channels.
For Tanzania, the discussion could have implications for fintech companies, developers and startups working in digital finance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing and data analytics.
The festival will be organised around three themes — Capital, Code and Continuity. Its programme will include discussions on investment and regulation, workshops, startup pitches, smart-contract demonstrations and hackathons examining the intersection of blockchain, AI and Africa’s technology economy.
Organisers say the event will provide an opportunity for African policymakers, regulators, investors and technology companies to exchange ideas on how emerging technologies can support economic development while addressing associated risks.
“Tanzania has young talent, an expanding digital economy and a government increasingly looking at AI, blockchain and other emerging technologies as part of national development,” Fabanwo said.
