IOTA, WEF, and TBI Accelerate Push for Seamless Cross-Border Commerce

IOTA has revealed that it is working with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) on an ambitious continent-wide digital trade initiative known as ADAPT. Developed in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the program is being positioned as a cornerstone for modernizing Africa’s trade landscape through advanced digital public infrastructure. According to information shared by IOTA, the project intends to transform how identity, data, and financial interactions are managed across borders.

Observers indicated that Africa is approaching a pivotal moment as it looks to overhaul outdated trade systems. The ADAPT initiative has been presented as a vehicle for digitizing processes that underpin the movement of goods, data, and payments. Supporters of the plan believe that this shift could unlock tens of billions of dollars in new trade value while simultaneously expanding economic participation for communities across the continent.

Under the long-term vision for ADAPT, all African nations are expected to be connected through a unified, open digital infrastructure by 2035. Policymakers forecast that such integration could double intra-African trade and generate more than 70 billion dollars in new annual trade activity. Analysts further estimated that modernized and efficient trade pathways could contribute roughly 23.6 billion dollars in yearly economic benefits by reducing delays and cutting operational costs.

Despite Africa’s strong economic potential, intra-regional trade has historically remained limited. Current estimates suggest that trade between African countries accounts for only about 17 percent of the continent’s total activity, considerably lower than the levels recorded in regions such as Asia and Europe, where cross-border trade frequently exceeds 60 percent. Experts have long argued that structural hurdles, including the absence of reliable digital identity systems and secure mechanisms for data exchange, have inhibited progress. Reliance on paper-based documentation and slow border procedures reportedly results in losses of roughly 25 billion dollars annually.

The ADAPT program has been structured to directly counter these obstacles by offering an integrated digital platform for streamlined commerce. Backed by the AfCFTA Secretariat, IOTA, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and the World Economic Forum, the effort is being positioned as a model that could influence the next generation of global trade innovation.

The architectural logic behind ADAPT revolves around three interconnected pillars: identity, data, and finance. Entities participating in cross-border trade will be encouraged to use secure, self-sovereign digital identities designed to improve trust and reliability. The initiative also lays out a path for interoperable data exchanges across national boundaries, while a unified financial layer aims to link mobile money operators, traditional banks, and emerging digital currency systems. Advocates argue that this interoperability could reduce transaction expenses and expedite clearance processes.

Supporters of the initiative believe the system will help unlock substantial pools of trade finance for small and mid-sized enterprises, enabling credible information to circulate as efficiently as the flow of goods. The technological foundation is expected to rely heavily on emerging tools such as IOTA’s public blockchain network, which is seen as essential for ensuring compatibility between existing national and regional systems. IOTA’s role includes supporting the design and deployment of infrastructure that converts shipments, documentation, and transactions into authenticated digital records.

The rollout of ADAPT will follow a staged schedule. Pilot programs are planned for countries such as Kenya and Ghana between 2025 and 2026, after which the initiative is intended to expand across the continent, culminating in full implementation by 2035. Project leaders have invited investors, entrepreneurs, and development institutions to contribute expertise and resources, noting that a collaborative approach will be central to creating a resilient digital trade ecosystem.

Beyond its formal participation in ADAPT, IOTA has outlined broader plans to deepen its engagement with Africa. These efforts include hiring regional talent, expanding decentralized infrastructure, and nurturing innovation through community-focused initiatives and partnerships. By pursuing this multifaceted strategy, the organization aims to help position Africa at the forefront of global digital trade transformation.