The Dome in Lekki, Lagos, buzzed with energy as hundreds of founders, creators, and blockchain enthusiasts gathered for Onchain Festival 2025, one of Africa’s largest Web3 and blockchain events.
Organised by Bchain Africa, the festival — themed “Celebrating the African Renaissance” — explored how Africans are using blockchain technology to drive innovation across finance, gaming, taxation, and the creator economy.
Convener Femi Adegolu, co-founder of Tradepal AI, opened the event with a keynote celebrating Africa’s growing influence in technology and creativity. Paul Onwuanibe, CEO of Landmark Group, also delivered a rousing speech on “The Future of African Cities: Innovation, Technology, and Investment.”
Other speakers included Olu Oyinsan, Fisayo Fosudo, Deborah Ojengbede, and Dr Krish, who joined panel discussions on virtual assets, AI, and the role of creators in the on-chain economy.
The product showcase featured startups like Bitsave, Importa Pay, Zerocard, and Aptos, while Shugar Mining led a live demonstration on Bitcoin mining in Africa.
The event was powered by major blockchain partners, including Base West Africa, Lisk Africa, Aptos Africa, CNGN, and Crello — a sign of growing corporate interest in Africa’s blockchain ecosystem.
Beyond the exhibitions and talks, Onchain Festival 2025 served as a meeting point for founders, investors, and creators, sparking collaborations that could shape the continent’s blockchain future.
Over the past few years, Africa has become one of the fastest-growing regions for blockchain adoption. From Kenya’s ETHSafari to Web3Lagos and NEARCon Africa, events like these have evolved into platforms where builders not only discuss innovation but also form critical partnerships.
Nigeria, in particular, has become a key hub for on-chain activity — with startups experimenting in decentralised payments, asset tokenisation, and digital identity.
The conversations at this year’s Onchain Festival reflected that momentum. While the crypto market globally remains cautious, African developers and investors are shifting focus from speculation to utility — building blockchain solutions for remittances, micro-lending, education, and creative royalties.
