Africa’s Top Blockchain Conference Opens in Nairobi Amid Regulatory  Debate

The third edition  of Africa’s most influential gatherings in the blockchain and digital asset space  dubbed the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference (KBCC) 2025 kicks off  at the A.S.K Dome in Nairobi.

Powered by Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, KBCC 2025 will bring together over 1,500 participants from across the continent—including developers, regulators, banks, fintechs, startups, global protocols, and policy shapers—under this year’s theme  “Driving Blockchain Innovation and Mass Adoption

Other major  sponsors include  Bitget, Sumsub, Tether, and Telcoin, the conference spotlighted Kenya’s bold push to shape the continent’s blockchain future under a progressive legal and economic framework.

According to Sheila Waswa, CEO of Chasing Mavericks and lead organiser, stressed the need for African ownership in shaping the continent’s digital narrative.

“The question is no longer whether blockchain will change Africa, but whether Africans will take control of that change through informed participation,” she said.

She described the forum as a meeting point where innovators, regulators and entrepreneurs could collectively map out Africa’s blockchain future and called for active engagement, open dialogue and cross sector collaboration.

Her message resonated with Larry Cooke, Head of Legal for Binance Africa, who praised Kenya’s emerging regulatory framework as one of the most pragmatic on the continent.

“Effective regulation must be timely. Overregulation kills progress, while underregulation creates loopholes,” he said.

Cooke urged regulators to recognise licences from respected global jurisdictions so that digital platforms can operate in Kenya without redundant compliance hurdles. Welcoming the proposal to cut the Digital Asset Tax from three per cent to one and a half per cent, he warned that new corporate or VAT levies could still discourage builders:

“The goal should be to foster an ecosystem where builders want to stay, not where they feel forced to leave,” he added.

The conference unfolded at a pivotal moment for Kenyan legislation. Parliament is reviewing the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill while the Finance Bill proposes tax reforms that could redefine how blockchain fits within the economy. Speakers noted that the right balance between oversight and innovation could unlock sustainable digital growth.

Nickson Omondi, Digital Economy Tax Officer at the Kenya Revenue Authority(KRA), outlined the agency’s evolving role.

“KRA is not just about revenue collection. We are here to demystify taxation, educate the public and ensure fairness,” he said.

Omondi highlighted close cooperation with other regulators to curb illicit finance and reminded delegates of upcoming tax return deadlines, underscoring that civic duty and innovation must coexist.

Security and identity verification were recurring themes. Sumsub Business Development Manager, Africa, Tatenda Chinodakufa  warned of rising threats such as deepfake fraud and synthetic identities, urging stronger compliance frameworks.

He pointed to Kenya’s robust mobile money culture, tech savvy youth and entrepreneurial spirit as unique advantages for leapfrogging regional challenges.

Across the exhibition floor, Africa focused blockchain solutions attracted keen interest: tokenised land registries, tea supply chain tracking platforms, carbon credit management systems and digital savings products pegged to the Kenyan shilling.

Young developers honed skills in smart contract auditing, zero knowledge proofs and secure coding, while investors weighed decentralised answers to challenges in agriculture, logistics, microfinance and public procurement. Panels explored financial inclusion, Web3 storytelling and responsible crypto adoption.

The event also created rare moments of direct engagement between regulators and industry leaders. KRA’s realtime reminders about filing deadlines flashed across screens, reinforcing the idea that compliance is integral rather than adversarial to progress.

By the close of day two, optimism filled the hall. Delegates voiced hope that the VASP Bill would pass intact and that tax reforms would attract longterm investment. Many agreed Kenya could set the standard for blockchain policy and innovation across the continent.

With new partnerships signed, hundreds of projects pitched and pivotal policy conversations sparked, the Nairobi conference made one thing clear: Africa’s blockchain future is already under construction, and Kenya is leading the way—one policy, one product and one visionary at a time.