By Juliet Ebirim

As Africa’s digital assets ecosystem continues to expand, a new executive programme has been launched to strengthen the region’s capacity for innovation, regulation and compliance in the digital finance space.

Designed to strengthen Africa’s capacity to innovate responsibly and foster a safer, more inclusive digital economy, the Executive Certificate in Digital Assets Innovation, Industry, Regulation & Compliance (DAIIRC), developed by Cambridge Enterprise, is being delivered in partnership with Busha, a licensed digital asset exchange; A&D Forensics, a blockchain intelligence and compliance firm; and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, which will serve as a regulatory partner.

The programme’s launch aligns with Nigeria’s growing regulatory engagement in the digital asset sector, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently set up a study group on stablecoins and digital assets to develop frameworks for adoption and oversight, marking a shift toward proactive policy development. The six-week online programme provides an overview of blockchain fundamentals, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and the evolving regulatory landscape.

According to Programme Director Dr. Dee Allen, the initiative brings together global research, policy frameworks, and market practice to support regulators and industry leaders navigating the complexities of digital assets. “We are especially proud to be working with the SEC, Busha, and A&D to contextualise this learning for the African financial ecosystem and to contribute to the development of informed, capable leadership across the continent” Allen said.

Speaking on the collaboration, SEC Nigeria’s Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, said the partnership reflects the Commission’s commitment to building capacity among regulators and market participants. “We recognise that innovation must be met with structured oversight and bold capacity-building,” Agama noted. “We are not just responding to change; we are helping to shape it for the stability, growth, and inclusion of our capital markets.”

Busha Co-founder and Director of Compliance, Olaoluwa Samuel-Biyi, added that the initiative supports the ongoing alignment between innovation and regulation in Nigeria. “As the CBN explores stablecoin frameworks and the SEC deepens its engagement with the digital asset market, programmes like DAIIRC ensure key stakeholders are equipped to make informed decisions,” he said.

A&D Forensics, which contributes expertise in blockchain forensics and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, emphasised the importance of practical application. Senior Partner Deji Owonibi noted that the partnership aims to ensure participants gain hands-on knowledge of blockchain analytics, fraud prevention and compliance to build transparent and secure systems.

Nigeria has emerged as a leading digital asset market in Africa, with more than US$50 billion in cryptocurrency transactions recorded between July 2023 and June 2024, according to SEC data. However, low technical capacity has limited institutional adoption. The DAIIRC programme aims to bridge this gap by fostering collaboration and shared understanding between regulators, innovators, and industry professionals.