What if Africa became the next hub for blockchain innovation? On March 5, 2025, COTI announced the Africa Tokenization Council, partnering with key players to drive AI and blockchain adoption across Africa and the Middle East. This effort brings together African officials and global blockchain leaders to spark investment and innovation in the region.
COTI’s council includes Dr. Mansour Almalik, a Saudi expert with over two decades in government and academia, and Alaa Bishara, an entrepreneur blending real estate with crypto. They join COTI CEO Shahaf Bar-Geffen and Chief Ecosystems Officer Joshua Maddox to tap into a $5 trillion market spanning Africa and MENA. The plan? Host symposiums to connect leaders, investors, and tech experts, focusing on partnerships, regulations, and tokenizing real-world assets like infrastructure.
Africa’s on the rise. Its young, tech-savvy population has already embraced mobile banking and crypto, often bypassing older systems. The council aims to build on that, creating a tokenization ecosystem that updates ownership rules and draws global funds. Dr. Almalik’s policy experience and Bishara’s practical know-how give this a solid foundation.
The symposiums are where it all kicks off. Government reps from places like Cairo could sit with blockchain experts from Jeddah, sorting out how to digitize a power grid or a trade network. They’ll nail down what’s needed—standards, funding, next steps—and share findings with everyone involved to push things forward.
COTI’s tech is central here. Blockchain’s openness has scared off companies worried about privacy. COTI’s “Privacy on Demand” fixes that, hiding sensitive data while letting regulators peek when required. This could unlock big projects—like tokenizing a nation’s roads or mines—potentially reshaping economies. It’s what big firms like JP Morgan say is key: privacy tools to scale blockchain. The region’s potential is huge. Africa and MENA’s combined GDP tops $5 trillion, and their track record in mobile tech and crypto hints at what’s possible.
Final Thoughts
This council is a practical step to put Africa and MENA on the blockchain map. With COTI’s privacy tech and a mix of sharp minds, it’s got the tools to deliver. The focus on real collaboration, from grassroots to government, sets it up to turn a $5 trillion market into action. For anyone watching blockchain’s next move, this is one to follow.
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