East Africa Embraces Web3: IOTA Summit Highlights Innovations

The IOTA East Africa Web3 Innovation Summit, held on May 30, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, successfully brought together over 80 developers, policymakers, and industry leaders. Hosted at the Hyatt Regency, the event explored the transformative potential of decentralized technologies in trade, logistics, and sustainability, according to the IOTA Blog.

Exploring Real-World Blockchain Applications

The summit, organized by the IOTA Foundation in collaboration with TradeMark Africa, emphasized practical applications of blockchain technology. Sue Senge of Baze Radio served as the event’s master of ceremonies, setting a tone of optimism for blockchain’s role in addressing regional challenges.

TWIN: Revolutionizing Trade Processes

A highlight of the summit was the introduction of the Trade Worldwide Information Network (TWIN), a decentralized data infrastructure built on IOTA. Erick Sirali, Digital Trade Director at TradeMark Africa, demonstrated how TWIN aims to streamline cross-border trade by enhancing transparency and efficiency in trade documentation.

Blockchain Meets Trade Logistics

The Trade Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP) session showcased the practical implementation of TWIN in Kenya’s trade ecosystem. Antony Magayu of the IOTA Foundation led discussions on the implications of these technologies, supported by a panel featuring regional trade experts and government officials.

Developer Engagement: Move on IOTA Workshop

Engagement was high during a hands-on workshop led by Gino Osahon, Developer Advocate at the IOTA Foundation. Participants explored the IOTA network, smart contracts, and developer tools, gaining valuable insights into the capabilities of IOTA’s Move VM.

Opportunities for Growth: Grants and Hackathons

Wambui Wanjiku, East Africa Lead for TLIP, introduced the IOTA Business Innovation Grant Program, sparking interest in potential applications. Additionally, the announcement of the upcoming MENA Moveathon hackathon generated excitement among local developers.

Key Takeaways and Impact

The summit underscored East Africa’s readiness to adopt Web3 technologies for real-world applications. Key themes included the importance of robust infrastructure, cross-border trade solutions, local innovation, and public-private partnerships.

As East Africa positions itself as a significant player in the Web3 space, the success of this summit marks a promising step forward for the region and the IOTA Foundation’s continued expansion efforts.

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