Blockchain and Cryptocurrency in Africa: Are International and Home-Grown Brands getting Ready? (with Brenda Kahari, BW Kahari)

Even though Africa seems like a late bloomer when it comes to the adoption of cryptocurrencies, this continent is widely converted to mobile money, representing over 50 percent of the world’s mobile money services. For instance, Google search trend shows that the region showing the highest interest in the term "bitcoin" is Africa, and particularly Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, even though this interest is predominantly limited to trading activities on exchanges. 

Brenda Kahari, founder of the firm BW Kahari, has been a lawyer specialized in intellectual property and commercial transactions in Harare, Zimbabwe, for more than 30 years. Thanks to her deep knowledge of the economic, social and of course legal dynamics in Africa, she gives us keys to understand cryptocurrencies and the applications of the blockchain in this continent, the opportunities they represent and the legal and IP challenges occurred.

Every two weeks, on Tuesday, Brand & New gives the floor to inspiring individuals, with a 360-degree vision, to help brand owners, intellectual property lawyers, and marketing and finance professionals (and beyond!) stay curious and agile in an ever-evolving business environment.

Brand & New is a production of the International Trademark Association
Hosted by Audrey Dauvet
Contribution of M. Halle & S. Lagedamond - Music by JD Beats

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT INTA.ORG

To go further:
About Brenda Kahari (link to https://zw.linkedin.com/in/brenda-wood-kahari-98166338)
About BW Kahari (link to http://www.lawyersforafrica.com)
Also of interest:
- About regulation of cryptocurrency (link to https://www.loc.gov/law/help/cryptocurrency/world-survey.php)
- About blockchain in Africa - Article from Forbes (link to https://www.forbes.com/sites/tatianakoffman/2019/04/04/blockchain-africa-rising/#67a045ac7711)
- About Africa as the next frontier for cryptocurrency - Article from Africa Renewal (link to https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-2018-july-2018/africa-could-be-next-frontier-cryptocurrency)
- INTA On-Demand Webcast: Blockchain 101  (link to: https://learning.inta.org/products/blockchain-101)
- INTA Daily News (page 6)—Blockchain: A Viable Solution to Fight Counterfeits? (link to: https://www.inta.org/PDF%20Library/2019Daily/2019DailyNews_Day4.pdf)
- INTA 2020 New York Conference—Brands in Society: Their Influence and Responsibility (link to: https://www.inta.org/Programs/Pages/2020NewYork_Overview.aspx )
- INTA Bulletin: Applications of Blockchain Technology to Trademark Protection, Enforcement, and Practice   (link to: https://www.inta.org/INTABulletin/Pages/ApplicationsofBlockchainTechnologytoTrademarkProtection7312.aspx)