Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference 2026 Set for May

In Short

• Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference 2026 is scheduled for May 14 to 15 in Nairobi.
• Organisers expect more than 1,500 attendees from Africa and other regions.
• The theme focuses on stablecoins, payments, and Africa’s digital economy.
• Kotanipay is listed as a major industry sponsor.

What Happened

Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference 2026 will bring fintech leaders, bank executives, telecom operators, regulators, and blockchain firms to Nairobi for its fourth edition.

The event’s theme is “Stablecoins, Payments and the Future of Africa’s Digital Economy.” Stablecoins are crypto tokens designed to track a stable asset like the US dollar, similar to holding “digital dollars” in a wallet. The agenda signals a shift from pilots to practical use in payments and settlements.

A major discussion point is USDT, a widely used dollar stablecoin. According to the conference briefing, USDT processed more than $13 trillion in transfer volume in 2025. That equals about $35 billion per day, and it served an estimated 576 million users worldwide.

Speakers and participants are expected to focus on where stablecoins fit in African financial services, including cross-border payments, remittances, treasury management, and merchant settlement. These are areas where businesses care about speed, cost, and predictability.

The conference also leans into integration with mobile money. Dave Evans, CTO of PawaPay, said Africa’s long-standing mobile money usage makes stablecoin flows a natural extension. He pointed to the need for smoother links between stablecoins and mobile wallets.

Why It Matters

Stablecoin usage in Africa is rising, and the briefing cited 18.6% year-on-year growth in 2025, with Kenya among leading markets. For operators, the next questions are about compliance, consumer protection, and how stablecoin rails connect to local bank and mobile money systems.

For founders and payment teams, KBCC 2026 is another signal that stablecoins are moving from crypto exchanges into day-to-day business workflows, especially for cross-border settlements where FX delays and fees still hurt margins.