An Abu Dhabi-backed blockchain initiative is accelerating its push into Africa, positioning the continent as a core growth market in its ambition to reach one billion users by 2030. The ADI Foundation, which oversees the ADI Chain blockchain network, has announced a strategic partnership with M-Pesa aimed at expanding digital financial infrastructure across multiple African markets.
The collaboration is designed to integrate ADI Chain’s blockchain capabilities with M-Pesa’s widely used mobile money ecosystem, which serves tens of millions of users across East and Southern Africa. By leveraging M-Pesa’s established reach, the ADI Foundation aims to bring blockchain-based services to individuals and small businesses that remain underserved by traditional banking systems.
ADI Chain is built to support secure digital payments, identity verification, and decentralised applications, with a focus on scalability and low transaction costs. The foundation says Africa’s young population, rapid mobile adoption, and growing appetite for digital finance make the region a natural fit for blockchain-driven solutions.
Under the partnership, blockchain-based tools are expected to be rolled out gradually, starting with payment infrastructure and expanding into areas such as remittances, micro-financing, supply chain tracking, and digital identity services. These use cases are seen as particularly relevant in African economies where cross-border payments are costly and access to formal financial services remains uneven.
The ADI Foundation noted that Africa could account for a substantial share of its long-term user base, as governments and private sector players increasingly explore blockchain to improve transparency, efficiency, and financial inclusion. The initiative also aligns with broader efforts by Gulf-based investors to deepen economic and technological ties with African markets.
Industry analysts say the move reflects a growing trend of Middle Eastern technology projects looking southward as competition intensifies in more mature markets. Africa’s regulatory openness to fintech experimentation in several jurisdictions has further strengthened its appeal.
If successful, the partnership could mark one of the most significant integrations of blockchain infrastructure with a mainstream mobile money platform on the continent, potentially accelerating everyday use of distributed ledger technology beyond speculation and into practical financial services.
