Uganda has launched a central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot as part of a broader tokenization effort nationwide of Africa, while its neighbor Kenya is on the verge of making a crypto regulation bill.
Blockchain Financial Infrastructure Company The Global Settlement Network (GSN) cooperated with the Ugandan Developer Diacente Group at an initiative to Tokenize $ 5.5 billion of real-world assetsWhich is it Includes a CBDC pilotThe companies announced On Wednesday.
It came as Kenya’s Virtual Asset Service Provider (Vasp) Bill passed Through the country’s parliament on Tuesday and is now awaiting President William Ruto’s signature to be law.
Sub-Saharan Africa, the southern regions of the Sahara with Uganda and Kenya, are Flagged as the third fastest growing region for crypto adoption In a September report from the blockchain data platform chainalysis, after $ 205 billion on the cost of onchain was received between July 2024 and June 2025.
Uganda CBDC is supported by Treasury Bonds
Uganda’s CBDC, a digitized version of Ugandan Shilling, has been deployed to GSN’s permission, supported by Ugandan Treasury Bonds, and can be accessible through a smartphone, according to GSN and the Diacente Group.
The pilot also complied with both local and international compliance standards, including Learn your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) protocols.
Meanwhile.
Edgar Agaba, the chairman of the Diacente Group, said the initiative was hoping to unlock the “long-term value for our people and our region.”
“By incorporating tokenization and CBDCs into the roadmap of Uganda development, we create transparents, tech-driven ecosystems that attract new capital, empower local industries, and size sustainable growth from the ground up.”
Nigeria was the first country in Africa to launch a CBDC in 2021, According to To imagine the Tank Overseas Development Institute. Many other countries, such as Ghana and South Africa, have also voted by CBDCs. Egypt has a date of launch of 2030, while Rwanda and Kenya are still at the stage of research and public consultation.
Kenya’s Crypto Bill passes the final obstruction
Kenya’s Vasp Bill, first introduced In January, licensing, consumer protection, and a framework for exchanges, brokers, purse operators, and token providers. The bill passed the country’s parliament on Tuesday after the third reading and is now awaiting the President’s signature to be law.
Under the law, the Central Bank of Kenya will guard payments for payment and caution, while the Capital Markets Authority will regulate investment and trading activities.
Related: African economies show high potential for adopting digital assets
There are also provisions of KYC and AML in accordance with intergovernmental body standards, the Financial Action Task Force, and policies against fraudulent advertising, including fines and other penalties.
African crypto industry is growing
It is estimated that more than 75 million users are in the crypto space in Africa of 2026, According to On the online data statist platform, with a user rate of 5.90%. Total income from the continent is expected to hit $ 5.1 billion by 2026.
Stablecoins account for approximately 43% of the total volume of sub-Saharan Africa, Chainaalysis reported on October 2Along with Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia make up the top five. Uganda is seventh.
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