IOTA is playing a central role in a major new African digital trade initiative after Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco were selected as the first countries to implement ADAPT, the Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade program. The initiative is being led by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in partnership with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the World Economic Forum, and the IOTA Foundation.
ADAPT aims to create a shared digital infrastructure layer capable of supporting cross-border trade across Africa by integrating digital identity systems, interoperable payment rails, and secure cross-border data exchange. The broader goal is to strengthen the operational foundation behind intra-African commerce while supporting the long-term vision of a unified continental market under AfCFTA.
The three countries were reportedly selected after an extensive evaluation process focused on regulatory readiness, digital infrastructure maturity, political commitment, and private sector participation. With implementation now officially underway, the initiative moves from planning into real-world deployment.
ADAPT Targets Digital Identity, Payments, and Cross-Border Trade Systems
Africa’s trade ecosystem continues to face major structural challenges, including fragmented regulations, inefficient payment systems, limited cross-border data sharing, and a trade finance gap estimated at approximately $100 billion annually. These barriers have historically increased settlement costs, slowed logistics processes, and limited opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses across the continent.
ADAPT is designed to directly address these inefficiencies through the deployment of shared digital infrastructure powered by interoperable systems. In the pilot countries, implementation will include the creation of ADAPT Country Implementation Forums, integration of digital identity systems, digitization of trade documentation, and deployment of interoperable payment frameworks built on TWIN, the open digital trade infrastructure underlying the initiative.
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A key focus will involve replacing paper-based trade documentation with verified and tamper-resistant digital records capable of being securely exchanged across borders. The participating countries will also begin testing regulatory frameworks tied to digital currencies and stablecoins, potentially paving the way for faster and lower-cost settlement systems for African trade flows.
Dominik Schiener stated that Africa has a unique opportunity to leapfrog outdated trade infrastructure by building interoperable digital trust systems designed specifically for the future of commerce. The governance structures, technical standards, and operational models developed across Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco are expected to shape how ADAPT eventually expands across additional AfCFTA member states.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could become one of the most significant blockchain-supported digital trade infrastructure projects globally, positioning Africa at the forefront of interoperable digital commerce systems designed for large-scale cross-border economic integration.
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