Bringing blockchain technology to the mainstream in Africa hinges on a critical mission – poverty eradication. Relative to conversations surrounding the assimilation of blockchain technology and digital assets into the societal fabric, Africa’s trajectory reveals a crucial prevailing hurdle. It is the struggle against poverty that must take precedence, as opined by various stakeholders in the Nigerian blockchain community.
It was during one such discourse at the Digital Assets Summit 2023, organized by the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SIBAN), that this perspective emerged. The CEO of online savings and investment platform, Sumotrust & Truzact, GT Igwe Chrisent, supports this viewpoint. A society devoid of hunger and poverty forms a stronger encapsulating environment for the incorporation of blockchain technology, he insists.
Leveraging a World Bank report, only 17% of Nigerian workers hold the jobs most likely to lift them above the poverty line. Transforming the majority poor class into the middle class becomes instrumental for blockchain technology integration, Chrisent asserts. Enabling citizens to afford basic necessities and save some surplus takes center stage. However, it’s imperative that the stability of Africa’s economy aligns with this objective.
Despite facing uphill battles against poverty, Nigeria is still witnessing significant interest and adoption in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Google Trends data reflect Nigeria’s robust activity and curiosity, ranking it second in search interest for the term “Bitcoin.” This stride, notwithstanding the prevailing poverty issue, exhibits the potential Nigeria holds for blockchain incorporation.
The potential of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in transforming the nation’s financial sector isn’t lost on Nigerian officials. Nigeria’s current President, Bola Tinubu, introduced a manifesto during his campaign that, if adopted, could foster blockchain technology and digital currencies within the country’s banking and finance sector.
A contrasting aspect to this progress, as stated by Chrisent, is the great scalability that the nation and continent can enjoy upon full blockchain integration. This advantage, however, could potentially suffer if the populace continues to grapple with basic needs.
In essence, the progression towards blockchain incorporation in Africa is inextricably tied to the region’s economic climate. Eradicating poverty and achieving economic stability appear to form the bedrock upon which the accelerated integration of blockchain technology relies.
Source: Cointelegraph
