Cryptocurrencies and the ecosystem that surrounds them are becoming synonymous with blockchain technology. This has featured DeFi and NFT applications, both of which have exploded in popularity in recent years.

However, blockchain technology has also been employed in other industries outside of banking, particularly in Africa.

Here are four examples of African countries and groups using blockchain to solve some of the continent’s pressing issues.

Enabling All-in-One Citizen Identity Card – Kenya
Kenya’s government is implementing a large-scale initiative that would allow Kenyans to get services with just one card.

“Huduma Namba”, which translates to “Service Number,” is the Kenyan government’s plan to create a single identity number and card system that will assist citizens to get better service.

The following registrations will be merged into a single Huduma Number:

√ Registration and replacement of ID Card

√ Application and renewal of Driving License

√ Registration for Passport and Alien Card

√ Registration for NHIF and NSSF cards

√ Registration for Birth and Death Certificates

Push to Boost Education Performance – Ethiopia

The Ethiopian government is creating a blockchain-based national student and teacher ID and accomplishment recording system in collaboration with Cardano Africa.

The system is there to:

• Digitally verify grades
• Remotely monitor school performance
• Boost nationwide education and employment
  

The aim is to give all students blockchain-verified digital qualifications that reduce fraudulent university and job applications and increase social mobility by allowing potential employers to verify all grades without third-party agencies.

Simplifying the Sharing of Shipping Documents – Egypt

In 2021, Egypt’s government, through its customs department, launched the National Single Window for Foreign Trade Facilitation – NAFEZA — an integrated information portal.

The platform was created to make the sharing of maritime and transportation documentation easier by providing a single point of entry for all agencies to accept documents from all traders. All paperwork and transactions for customs, control authorities and ports can be submitted by businesses and the trade community.

CargoX, a blockchain firm that has developed a Blockchain Document Transfer (BDT), was chosen to register and transfer shipping papers immutably utilizing Ethereum blockchain technology.

Giving Everyone Access to the Internet – Zanzibar

Mesh internet network operator, World Mobile, has teamed with the Zanzibar eGovernment Agency to launch free metered Wi-Fi Internet access at public-facing government facilities.

World Mobile believes it is the first blockchain mobile network controlled and run by World Mobile Token ($WMT) owners.

The startup has created a blockchain-powered wireless mesh network, which is made up of a collection of devices or nodes that work together to share data and information without relying on a single point of failure.

The major objective of the $WMT, according to World Mobile’s whitepaper, is to incentivize token holders who want to assist the network’s operation by delegating their $WMT stake to a node operator (stakers), as well as node operators who operate their own nodes.

Outside of banking, the above are some of the more fascinating blockchain applications being implemented in Africa. The continent is littered with solutions applying blockchain technology.

Sourced from BitKE