100+ Builders, Leaders Unite in Nairobi

TL;DR:
The IOTA East Africa Web3 Innovation Summit on May 30, 2025, brought together 80+ developers, policymakers, and industry leaders at the Hyatt Regency Nairobi to explore the IOTA Move VM and how decentralized tech is transforming trade, logistics, and sustainability across East Africa. Here's what happened.

On May 30, 2025, Nairobi hosted the IOTA East Africa Web3 Innovation Summit by the IOTA Foundation in partnership with TradeMark Africa. The one-day event at the Hyatt Regency delivered on its promise to connect developers, policymakers, and industry leaders around practical applications of decentralized tech.

Opening Remarks & Setting the Stage

The summit opening set the tone for a day focused on real-world blockchain applications rather than speculation, with Sue Senge, Content Writer at Baze Radio, acting as the event’s MC.

Sue Senge (left) and Dominik Schiener (right) / Photos: CIO Africa

IOTA Foundation Co-Founder and Chair, Dominik Schiener, kicked off the day with his opening remarks.

Introducing TWIN: Revolutionizing Cross-Border Trade

One of the event's highlights was the deep dive into the Trade Worldwide Information Network (TWIN) – a decentralized data infrastructure built on IOTA designed to streamline cross-border trade processes.

Erick Sirali (left) and audience (right) / Photos: CIO Africa

The presentation by Erick Sirali, Digital Trade Director, TradeMark Africa, (pictured above) showcased how TWIN addresses longstanding challenges in trade documentation, transparency, and efficiency across borders.

TLIP in Action: Blockchain Meets Trade Logistics

The Trade Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP) session provided concrete examples of how TWIN is already being implemented in Kenya's evolving trade ecosystem.

A presentation by Antony Magayu, TLIP Product Leader, IOTA Foundation, was followed by a panel discussion that brought together trade experts and government officials to explore the practical implications of these technologies for East African economies.

Left: Antony Magayu; Right: Shiro Ann Mbiruru, Moses Kemibaro, Njoki Muthuuri, James Kagiri, Caroline Tabitha, and Edwin Wanyama Ngero. / Photos: CIO Africa

Moderated by Shiro Ann Mbiruru, Communication Director, Trademark Africa, the panel consisted of:

  • Moses Kemibaro, Founder & CEO, Dotsavvy Limited. 
  • Njoki Muthuuri, Managing Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Mamlaka Hub and Spoke.
  • James Kagiri, Business Development Manager, DB Schenker Kenya. 
  • Caroline Tabitha, Customs & Border Control Business Support Unit Manager, Kenya Revenue Authority.
  • Edwin Wanyama Ngero, Manager of Innovations & Solutions Development, Kenya Trade Network Agency.

– our thanks to them all for their insights!

Hands-On Development: Move on IOTA Workshop

The developer workshop proved to be one of the most engaging sessions.

First, the IOTA Foundation’s Dennis Irimu, Business Analyst and Support Engineer, and Isaac Odhiambo, TLIP Technical Team Lead, set the stage with an exploration of Web3 in general and IOTA Move VM in particular. 

Dennis Irimu (left) and Isaac Odhiambo (right). / Photos: CIO Africa

Then, Gino Osahon, Developer Advocate at the IOTA Foundation, led the audience through almost two hours of  hands-on experience with Move on the IOTA network, smart contracts, and the latest developer tools.

Gino Osahon (left) and Wambui Wanjiku (right) / Photos: CIO Africa

Opportunities for Growth: Grants and Hackathons

The introduction by Wambui Wanjiku, East Africa Lead, TLIP to IOTA's Business Innovation Grant Program sparked significant interest, with many attendees already brainstorming potential applications.

The preview of IOTA's upcoming MENA Moveathon hackathon generated excitement among local developers eager to showcase their skills on a larger stage.

Networking and Connections

The networking reception provided the perfect opportunity for attendees to forge new partnerships and continue conversations started during the formal sessions.

Photos: CIO Africa

Key Takeaways and Impact

The summit successfully demonstrated that East Africa is ready to embrace Web3 technologies for practical, real-world applications. Key themes that emerged included:

  • Infrastructure First: Focus on building robust, scalable infrastructure before pursuing speculative applications
  • Cross-Border Solutions: Blockchain's potential to simplify and secure cross-border trade processes
  • Local Innovation: The importance of empowering local developers to build solutions for regional challenges
  • Public-Private Partnership: The need for collaboration between technology providers, government, and private sector

Looking Ahead

Thank you to all attendees, speakers, and partners who made this summit a success, and especially the team at CIO Africa, who helped produce the event.

The success of this summit positions East Africa as a key region for IOTA's continued expansion and development. Here's to building the future of Web3 in East Africa! 

For those who couldn't attend or want to continue the conversation, download photos and presentations:

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