Signal Africa Tokenization for SME Finance; Brookings Foresight Africa 2026

Summary

Brookings' Foresight Africa 2026 report sets out inclusive, resilient and self-determined growth pathways for the continent. Under Chapter 6, 'Leveraging technology, trade, and integration,' the report examines how the African Continental Free Trade Area can drive growth through technology adoption and policy coordination. One viewpoint essay in that chapter, 'How tokenization can accelerate financing of small and medium enterprises in Africa,' was published February 3, 2026 by author Vera Songwe. It frames tokenisation of real-world assets as an emerging SME finance experiment across the continent.