Africa launches world’s largest tokenised economy with $5.5 billion
Aligned with AfCFTA, this tokenized economy projects one million jobs and $10 billion in exports for sustainable African growth.
Global Settlement Network (GSN) and Diacente Group have partnered to establish Africa’s most advanced tokenised economy, valued at $5.5 billion in real-world infrastructure. The collaboration digitises assets across food production, minerals, renewable energy, and trade.
The initiative aims to create an inclusive, efficient economic system, leveraging blockchain to enhance emerging markets’ global participation.
Uganda leads with its first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot, deployed on GSN’s permissioned blockchain and backed by treasury bonds. Agro-processing hubs, mining operations, and solar plants underpin the tokenisation effort.
Fully compliant with KYC and AML regulations, the digital shilling enables over 40 million users to transact securely via smartphones and USSD, fostering financial inclusion across East Africa.
The project supports Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aligning with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Leaders project one million jobs and $10 billion in annual exports.
Ryan Kirkley, GSN co-founder, calls it a ‘programmable economy grounded in real assets,’ while Diacente’s Edgar Agaba emphasises attracting investment and empowering local industries through transparent, tech-driven systems.
The partnership sets a precedent for emerging markets, reducing reliance on intermediaries and unlocking global capital. Tokenisation integrated with national development drives sustainable growth, offering a scalable model for digital economies based on real infrastructure and regulatory collaboration.
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