Africa’s role in blockchain technology talks took centre stage during the Cardano Constitutional Convention that took place in Nairobi, Kenya and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The three-day event was hosted by Intersect, a member-based organization for the Cardano ecosystem, in close collaboration with Input Output, a blockchain infrastructure research and engineering firm.
The event brought together delegates from around the world who gathered to shape the future of Cardano, a blockchain renowned for its scalability, sustainability and interoperability.
The convention marked a pivotal moment for the Cardano ecosystem, which aims to establish the foundational governance principles for the blockchain.
By approving a constitution through a decentralized, community-driven process, the convention aimed to underscore Cardano’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and decentralized science (DeSci) initiatives empowering its users with the decision-making authority to drive it forward.
The event also targeted to highlight Cardano’s leadership in blockchain innovation and its dedication to empowering local talent and communities to have a say in their future.
In a joint statement, Intersect and Input Output noted that selecting Nairobi as a host city underlined the immense importance of Africa’s role in Cardano’s mission, with one fifth of the convention’s 120 delegates hailing from the continent.
“The representatives were selected from over 1,200 participants across more than 60 workshops held in 50 countries. This inclusive approach ensures that voices from regions most poised to benefit from blockchain technology play a key role in shaping Cardano’s future,” they said.
Cardano co-founder and Input Output CEO Charles Hoskinson said Africa stands to gain immensely from Cardano’s potential to transform lives, promote financial inclusion, and create a more equitable future.
“Nearly a decade ago, we embarked on a journey to build Cardano. What began as a bold experiment has grown into a global movement—reshaping industries and empowering communities worldwide,” he said.
“I’ve always emphasized that we’re not just building a blockchain; we’re creating a resilient and inclusive system that can fundamentally change how the world views governance, finance, and society. This vision is now coming to life at the Cardano Constitutional Convention.”
On his part, Intersect Ecosystem Director Jack Briggs added that hosting part of the Constitutional Convention in Nairobi was a reflection of how important the region is to them.
This, he added, was also a testament to the incredible talent and commitment within the African Cardano community.
“We’re not just building technology; we’re building a system that empowers people to shape their own futures through decentralized governance,” Briggs said.
“We’re building a system that will transform lives and create a better, more inclusive society for everyone.”
The Cardano Constitutional Convention seeks to represent a landmark moment in defining a governance framework that will redefine blockchain decision-making.
The governance model includes decentralised representatives (DReps), a decentralised treasury, and on-chain voting mechanisms.
“Our primary goal is to establish a foundational constitution that reflects the consensus of Cardano’s global community,” Hoskinson added.
“This combination of liquid democracy and a constitutional republic sets a new benchmark for decentralized governance.”
Briggs further emphasized the importance of collaboration- particularly African participation noting that the event demonstrated the power of community-driven governance.
“By bringing together delegates, developers, and contributors from across the globe, we’re creating a secure, collaborative ecosystem that ensures Cardano’s sustained growth,” he said.
“Africa’s role in this process has always been essential to the future of Cardano and the continent continues to be at the forefront of determining the best outcomes for the future.”
Driven by necessity and opportunity, Africa’s embrace of blockchain technology is miles ahead of other continents.
Economic challenges such as high inflation, financial exclusion, and underdeveloped infrastructure have created an urgent demand for transformative solutions, while the continent’s entrepreneurial spirit, openness to new technology and rapid digital innovation positions it as a global leader in decentralized finance (DeFi) adoption.
Cardano’s initiatives in Africa aim to build on this momentum by empowering local talent to lead decision-making and innovation.
Through blockchain technology, Cardano seeks to create an inclusive and affordable financial system that provides greater access to services for the unbanked and enables individuals to better manage their finances and contribute to economic growth.
With these advancements, Africa is shaping its future as a global hub for decentralized systems and financial transformation.
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