Across the world, blockchain and decentralized technologies are accelerating at record speed. Global blockchain spending is projected to reach USD 19 billion by 2027, with emerging markets accounting for the fastest growth. Africa’s digital economy alone is expected to surpass USD 180 billion by 2025, driven by youth innovation and digital public infrastructure.

Yet, less than 3% of universities globally offer advanced blockchain programs, and fewer than 10 accredited postgraduate blockchain degrees exist across the entire African continent. This program places Namibia, and by extension, Africa, among the world’s leading contributors to blockchain research, innovation, and talent development.

This is timely.
This is necessary.
This is decisive.

The African Union projects that the continent will require over 700,000 advanced tech professionals annually by 2030. Blockchain is now a core capability for finance, supply chain, energy, public governance, AI integrity, health records, and creative economies. The introduction of this Master’s degree means Africa is intentionally building the high-skill workforce needed to drive transparency, resilience, and economic transformation.

UNAM’s bold leadership, combined with ABI’s long-standing mission to deepen decentralized innovation, sends a powerful message to policymakers, economists, regulators, academics, development institutions, and industry leaders:
– Africa is ready to lead the next wave of digital transformation.
– Africa is ready to produce the architects of tomorrow’s trust infrastructure.
– Africa is ready to turn blockchain from theory into national and continental development outcomes.

I am deeply honoured to celebrate this historic milestone as the University of Namibia (UNAM) officially launches the Master of Science in Blockchain Technology, a program jointly shaped, strengthened, and championed by the Africa Blockchain Institute (ABI).

This is more than a degree. It is a continental turning point. It signals that Africa is no longer preparing for the digital future, Africa is building it, one institution, one curriculum, and one talent pipeline at a time.

Mr. Kayode BabarindeLinkedIn

Collaborators

• Prof. Anicia Peters (she/her)
• Samuel Nuugulu
• Oluwaseun ADEPOJU
• Prof. Dr. Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes ®©
• Tim Weingärtner
• Bettina Schneider
• Titus Haiduwa
• Doro Unger-Lee
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katarina Krüger
• Anne Connelly
• Professor Joyce O’Connor
• Izzat-Begum B. Rajan
• Tarek Kamoun
• Alejandro Mandujano
• Hon. Michael Onyango
• Hon. CPA Kuria Kimani, CBS
• Oli Odeniran
• Buki Ogunsakin, Esq
• Sara Monteiro
• Mrs. alakanani itireleng
• Rajesh Sabari, CFA
• Lauren Weymouth
• Raymond Van Ermen
• Charles Okaformbah
• Philip Gant
• Sonja Coetzer
• Sonia Essobmadje, CFA
• Advit Nath Arnoud d’Yve de Bavay