Africa’s $70B Trade Revolution: Stablecoins and IOTA Lead the Way

AfCFTA and IOTA launch ADAPT, a digital trade platform using USDT stablecoin, aiming to double intra-African trade, cut costs, and unlock $70B in value by 2035. Pilots show faster, cheaper cross-border commerce.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in collaboration with the IOTA Foundation, the Tony Blair Institute, and the World Economic Forum, has launched the Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade (ADAPT) initiative. This program aims to create a unified, open-source digital infrastructure for all 55 AfCFTA member states, using IOTA’s distributed ledger technology and USDT stablecoin for instant cross-border payments and digital trade documentation. The initiative seeks to replace paper-heavy processes, reduce transaction fees and border delays by over 50%, and eliminate document fraud. Pilot programs in Kenya and Rwanda have already demonstrated significant benefits, including reduced paperwork, faster border clearance, and cost savings for exporters. ADAPT is projected to double intra-African trade, unlock $70 billion in new economic value, and generate over $23 billion in annual economic gains by 2035, with full integration planned across the continent. The platform will also support asset tokenization and interoperable digital identities, positioning Africa to leapfrog legacy financial systems.