At the recently concluded Moonshot by TechCabal 2026, the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) played an active role in advancing conversations around blockchain adoption and Africa's digital financial future.
Held on 28 and 29 October at the National Theatre, Lagos, under the theme "Courage & Conviction: Building for a New World," the fourth edition brought together more than 7,000 attendees across nine content tracks, according to TechCabal.
SiBAN Leaders Drive Key Conversations
SiBAN stakeholders also featured in several sessions on Day 2, Thursday, 29 October. Among them was the association’s immediate past President, Obinna Iwuno, who participated in a session titled “The New Rules of Money: How Africa Is Building the Rules for Digital Assets.”
The session was moderated by Ayo Shonibare, SiBAN’s Vice President for Policy, Regulation and Ethics. Three other sessions also featured SiBAN representatives in important discussions about trust, stablecoins and the future of digital payments.
Who Do We Trust With the Future of Money?
Chineme Chinah, SiBAN's Vice President 1 for Blockchain Education and Adoption and CEO of Dantown, represented the association as moderator of this fireside chat with Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, immediate past CEO of Zenith Bank.
According to the organisers' session brief, the conversation explored six key themes: the relationship between traditional banking and the digital-asset economy; accountability and the trust models digital-asset platforms must adopt; consumer protection and minimum standards for custody and governance; regulatory approaches to digital assets in Africa; whether stablecoins present a threat or an opportunity for banks; and how banks and digital-asset companies can collaborate over the next decade.
The New Payment Backbone: Stablecoins as Core Infrastructure for Global Liquidity
Vivian Mbene, SiBAN's Chief Strategy Officer in charge of projects and incubation, who also represented Breet as its Chief Operating Officer, moderated this panel on the role of stablecoins in global payments infrastructure.
Panelists highlighted the delays associated with cross-border transfers, noting that a transfer from Lagos to Nairobi can take between two and five days. They explained that stablecoins are intended to optimise existing financial systems rather than replace them.
The discussion also emphasised that mainstream stablecoin adoption will require collective industry efforts. Users primarily want seamless movement between fiat currencies, with stablecoins serving as the underlying infrastructure. Achieving this will require companies to move beyond isolated systems towards shared infrastructure.
Speakers further noted that engagement between industry stakeholders and regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission, has become encouraging, while stressing the importance of businesses continuing to earn regulatory trust.
Where Are Stablecoins Creating Real Value in Africa?
Dr. Chinonso Harrison Obiefule was part of this panel, which examined the practical applications of stablecoins across African markets.
He noted that Nigerian traders have been using stablecoins to pay suppliers in China for years, even as Nigerian banks continue to face restrictions around processing crypto transactions. He also highlighted the need for developers to make international transfers cheaper, safer and easier to use.
Other panelists identified security concerns, particularly platform hacks, as a barrier to wider adoption. They also discussed the potential for direct on-chain swaps between African local stablecoins, including Nigeria's cNGN and their Ghanaian and South African counterparts.
Building Trust in Africa's Digital Financial Future
Across the sessions, a number of priorities emerged: shared infrastructure, improved payment access, greater security, practical spending options for users and stronger engagement between industry stakeholders and regulators.
These conversations align with the work SiBAN continues to advance through blockchain education, policy engagement and industry standards. They also reinforce the importance of building an ecosystem where innovation is supported by accountability, collaboration and trust.
As Africa's digital financial ecosystem continues to evolve, these foundations will be essential to unlocking the opportunities presented by blockchain technology and stablecoins.
Be part of the change SiBAN is driving. To become a member, send an email to membership@siban.org or join the SiBAN Telegram community.
