Blockchain Africa Conference 2021 Releases Post Event Report

Bitcoin Events’ 7th annual Blockchain Africa Conference was hosted virtually for the first time, on March 18 and 19, 2021. 

The conference is the definitive blockchain and cryptocurrency event on the continent and introduced attendees to some of the most influential figures in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. These experts analyzed and debated pressing topics pertinent to this fast-growing industry. 

The event included 5729 attendees from over 135 countries, 57 speakers, 32 free sessions, panels, fireside chats, Q&A sessions an interactive Masterclass on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). 

The Keynote speakers of the conference were: 

• Charles Hoskinson, Founder and CEO of IOHK and Founder of Cardano.
• Yele Bademosi, CEO at Bundle Africa and Founding Partner at Microtraction (could not attend due to illness).
• Mariana Gospodinova, General Manager of European Operations for Crypto.com.
• Denelle Dixon, CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation.
• Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO at Bybit.
• Stani Kulechov, Founder and CEO of Aave.
• Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO and Founder at FTX.
• Henri Arslanian: Global Crypto Leader, Asia FinTech Leader and Partner at PwC.
• Sandra Ro: CEO at the Global Blockchain Business Council.

The theme of the conference, ‘From hype to Mainstream’, showcased a collective sentiment that blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are gaining momentum in terms of mainstream adoption and that the industry seems to be moving towards a more mature phase, less susceptible to hype and speculation. 

Topics throughout the entire event covered the full breadth and scope of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and decentralized finance, including an exciting fireside chat hosted by Peter McCormack, Host of What Bitcoin Did, on retail and institutional investment in cryptocurrencies.

Several talks looked at the rising demand for cryptocurrencies and other blockchain-enabled products and what it would take to get to mass adoption. Several discussions unpacked some of the challenges facing the industry, particularly with regards to regulation and the effect regulation has had in certain jurisdictions.

Closing off on the second day was a panel on the future of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and how these could benefit the African continent. 

The Blockchain Africa Conference 2021 is Bitcoin Events’ biggest event to date and we are honored to have had your participation at the event.

We hope you find this post-event report useful and look forward to meeting you either virtually or in person at our next events, the DeFi Conference 2021 (5 August 2021) and Crypto Fest 2021 (30 October 2021).