COTI has unveiled the Africa Tokenization Council, an ambitious initiative launched in collaboration with strategic partners to drive blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across Africa and the Middle East. This pioneering effort seeks to unite African officials with global leaders in blockchain and tokenization, fostering investment and innovation within the region.
With a rapidly growing technology-focused population and increasing interest in digital assets, African countries are poised to make a significant impact on the global blockchain ecosystem. The Africa Tokenization Council aims to convene leaders, investors, and industry practitioners through symposiums dedicated to regulatory frameworks, partnerships, investment strategies, and the necessary pathways for a thriving tokenization ecosystem.
The initiative will also focus on setting standards and regulatory advancements that support seamless ownership structures, thus creating an environment conducive to international investment in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization.
Unlocking Africa’s Market Potential
The combination of Africa’s burgeoning fintech landscape, regulatory advancements, and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit presents a unique opportunity for blockchain-driven economic transformation. Africa and the Middle East collectively hold a GDP exceeding $5 trillion, with a history of adopting mobile technologies, fintech solutions, and cryptocurrency at an accelerated pace compared to traditional economic environments.
The Africa Tokenization Council, backed by prominent government officials, investors, and practitioners, is well-positioned to facilitate this shift. With strong involvement from Saudi Arabian leadership and COTI’s advanced privacy-focused blockchain technology, the council envisions a future where tokenization becomes an integral part of economic growth and financial inclusion.
Key Figures Leading the Initiative
Several influential figures have joined the Africa Tokenization Council, bringing their expertise in energy, finance, and blockchain:
- Dr. Mansour Almalik holds a Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and has over two decades of experience in government and academia. He has previously served as a Senior Advisor to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and has represented Saudi Arabia in the United Nations’ Science and Technology Committee. As the Chairman of Attwar Group, his interests span energy, fintech, and artificial intelligence.
- Alaa Bishara is a seasoned entrepreneur and crypto investor with a background in traditional real estate. His extensive experience in managing high-net-worth portfolios has positioned him as a key player in the intersection of real estate, fintech, and digital innovation. His commitment to Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization underscores his vision for a financially inclusive future driven by blockchain technology.
- Shahaf Bar-Geffen (CEO of COTI) and Joshua Maddox (Chief Ecosystems and Partnerships Officer of COTI) have also joined the council, reinforcing the company’s commitment to fostering blockchain adoption in Africa.
Global Events and Strategic Collaborations
The Africa Tokenization Council is set to host a series of strategic symposiums and roundtables aimed at connecting African governments with blockchain initiatives, global investors, and industry experts. These events will bring together diverse stakeholders, including:
- Blockchain practitioners dedicated to driving tokenization efforts for economic expansion.
- Government officials and regulatory bodies exploring blockchain’s potential in governance and finance.
- Investors (both local and international) seeking opportunities in Africa’s tokenized asset space.
- Technical developers and blockchain experts who will contribute to the infrastructure supporting tokenization projects.
- Market distribution partners to facilitate the adoption of tokenized assets across various industries.
The insights gained from these events will be critically analyzed and assessed for risks, ensuring that the council’s findings contribute to the development of strategic investment pathways and practical implementations of blockchain-based tokenization initiatives.
COTI’s Role as a Core Infrastructure Provider
COTI, a leading blockchain infrastructure provider, will play a crucial role in the Africa Tokenization Council’s mission by leveraging its expertise in AI and blockchain. As the only provider offering “Privacy on Demand,” COTI ensures that privacy-compliant blockchain solutions are accessible, welcoming participation from other major blockchain providers and partners.
COTI’s technology delivers a fast, scalable, and secure privacy layer for AI-driven and blockchain initiatives. Its permissioned privacy model enables secure on-chain data sharing while ensuring regulatory compliance—a major barrier that has traditionally slowed the adoption of RWAs on the blockchain.
Addressing Privacy Concerns in Tokenization
Tokenization involves moving real-world assets—including infrastructure, natural resources, and financial instruments—onto blockchain networks. Despite its potential, institutions have been hesitant to adopt blockchain without comprehensive privacy protections. Public blockchains’ transparency presents compliance challenges for corporations that must safeguard sensitive user data.
COTI addresses this challenge by providing permissioned privacy, ensuring that relevant authorities can access compliance and reporting data without exposing confidential information. This feature makes blockchain adoption feasible for enterprises and governments seeking to tokenize large-scale assets.
Scaling Tokenization for National Economies
The Africa Tokenization Council aims to facilitate tokenization at the national infrastructure level. By leveraging blockchain’s transparency and efficiency, the council envisions large-scale projects that will drive economic growth across Africa and the Middle East. COTI’s robust infrastructure will serve as a foundational pillar for these initiatives, positioning itself as a key enabler of blockchain-driven economic transformation.
