Mr. Jesse Pollak, who spoke during an event dubbed Base Africa Hackathon in Nairobi Kenya revealed that Coinbase Crypto Exchange is on a discussion with Safaricom in enhancing M-PESA with a blockchain Technology.
Kenya has emerged as one of the most vibrant cryptocurrency markets, not only in Africa but globally. With approximately 729,200 cryptocurrency owners, as reported by data firm Statista, the country is rapidly embracing digital currencies. In Africa, Kenya ranks just behind Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt in terms of crypto ownership, showcasing its growing significance in the global crypto landscape. This active adoption highlights Kenya’s potential as a key player in the future of cryptocurrency in Africa and beyond.
Jesse Pollak, the brains behind Base and a senior exec at Coinbase, couldn’t hide his excitement about the tech boom in Kenya and Nigeria. “ We welcome regulatory clarity and are pleased to see progress in this space in Kenya. I’m really optimistic about the opportunity for [blockchain] innovation to drive meaningful change in communities across the region, and equally for great applications for the world to be built by Kenyan entrepreneurs,” he said, clearly impressed. The event saw hundreds of Kenyan developers in action, all working to build the foundation for something big. It’s clear—Kenya’s tech scene isn’t just growing; it’s thriving, and the energy at the event was a sign that the future is being built right here.
He shared that Coinbase is actively working to foster the growth and education of Kenyan developers by collaborating with local universities. The aim is to explore ways to incorporate blockchain technology into academic programs, helping to equip the next generation of tech talent with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving digital economy. This initiative reflects Coinbase’s commitment to supporting innovation and development within Kenya’s growing tech ecosystem.
