Global partnership powers Africa’s blockchain future

In a landmark collaboration, the University of Zurich (UZH) partnered with the University of Cape Town (UCT) to bring its Deep Dive into Blockchain (DDiB) Summer School to Africa for the first time, welcoming 40 students from across the continent for on-campus sessions at Africa’s top tertiary institution.

Over the course of the mid-year winter break, classrooms in UCT’s School of Economics in the Faculty of Commerce hosted the DDiB course through live streams of lectures and in-person sessions hosted by UZH scholars and prominent industry partners.

This unique educational experience was developed to give students who were not able or willing to travel to Switzerland the opportunity to benefit from the institution’s high-quality education and acquire skills that could help them progress in their careers.

According to the head of the School of Economics and interim South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Blockchain Technology, Professor Eftychia Nikolaidou, recognising the demand for blockchain education and the need for global accessibility through establishing an off-site campus at UCT allows the creation of impactful, sustainable links that advance cutting-edge research and foster global academic exchanges.

“With this setup, students from Africa and geographically close regions, like the Middle East and South America, can obtain a top education that was previously only available in Switzerland. By lowering the barriers to entry for these students and expanding the capacity to accommodate participants, we are helping to create a more inclusive and diverse pool of blockchain expertise,” she said.

Collaborating for impact, inclusion and innovation

The DDiB Summer School in Cape Town forms part of a broader academic partnership between UCT and UZH, anchored in the UCT–UZH Dual SARChI.

Backed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the SARChI programme is designed to promote cross-continental research, strengthen institutional links, and foster innovation in key future-facing fields, including blockchain.

“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is driving innovation in Africa at an exponential rate. There is so much opportunity here, and that is part of the reason why we chose to work with South Africa across the blockchain ecosystem, from research and innovation to education,” said Jacquelene Friedenthal, the science and technology counsellor at the Embassy of Switzerland in Pretoria.

“There is so much opportunity here, and that is part of the reason why we chose to work with South Africa across the blockchain ecosystem, from research and innovation to education.”

“The partnership started in 2007, with blockchain being an area we identified for collaboration in 2019, and it has gone from strength to strength since its inception. What I believe is particularly important about this relationship is that it can be used as a blueprint for other countries to collaborate with South Africa to drive progress in research, innovation and education on the African continent.”

Professor Nikolaidou echoed this sentiment, describing the partnership as a strategic step toward advancing academic excellence while championing diversity and inclusion in this emerging field.

“Partnering with the UZH Blockchain Center allows the creation of impactful, sustainable links that advance cutting-edge research and foster global academic exchanges. This approach optimises the project’s impact by investing in talent development, education, and collaborative initiatives that benefit both universities in the long run,” she said.

A 360° education in blockchain design and application

Presented over 15 full days and taking place from 30 June to 18 July, the DDiB Summer School took a highly interactive approach. Participatory learning, provided across traditional lectures, practical sessions and vivid classroom discussions was an integral part of the educational experience for students.

A major focus was placed on bringing a transdisciplinary approach to blockchain, linking its application across economics, technology and law.

By bringing these fields together, the course gave students a comprehensive understanding of blockchain’s evolving landscape and equipped them to critically assess its design, implementation, and broader societal impact.

“Blockchain cannot be fully applied without considering the economics, law and tech behind it.”

“The interdisciplinary approach enabled me to connect all the critical aspects of blockchain and understand it as a complete system rather than just as an emerging technology,” said Amina Ahmed, a Bachelor of Science graduate from the University of Nairobi.

“The technical aspect demonstrated the blockchain architecture and consensus mechanisms, which are the building blocks of how different blockchains work. The economics lectures explored how tokenomics and governance models shape the operation of blockchain networks, while the legal sessions gave us an understanding of the regulatory aspects concerning blockchain and decentralised systems.

“This approach enabled me to learn how the three disciplines interconnect and that blockchain cannot be fully applied without considering the economics, law and tech behind it.”

Bringing the digital frontier to the Global South

The success of the DDiB Summer School was evident in both the depth of learning and the diverse engagement it fostered.

“The programme was fantastic. It was a great learning experience that I wouldn’t have had anywhere else, and I was able to build relationships that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to build anywhere else,” said Precious Nhamo, an economics graduate from Stellenbosch University.

“I would definitely recommend the programme to anyone in any field who’s curious about blockchain. It doesn’t matter what industry you come from because there’s always a possibility for an intersection between blockchain and your field,” she added.

“Blockchain isn’t just the future; it’s the now in the tech space, so we as young people need to be knowledgeable about it.”

“Blockchain isn’t just the future; it’s the now in the tech space, so we as young people need to be knowledgeable about it.”

Event organiser, Karen Eksteen, emphasised this, noting blockchain’s growing relevance across sectors, as well as its ability to equip future leaders with the skills they need to succeed – especially in the Global South.

“Blockchain is not only for coders, but for innovators and problem-solvers across all fields. It has a cross-disciplinary impact and offers emerging career opportunities. From digital identity solutions to sustainable supply chains, organisations need professionals who understand blockchain’s implications in governance, risk management and strategy,” she said.

“Knowledge in this area makes the individual future-ready. For those with entrepreneurial ambitions, blockchain offers tools for creating decentralised applications, token economies and innovative funding models. This knowledge can help innovators build solutions for real-world challenges, particularly in developing economies.”

DDiB 2026 at UCT

With the overwhelmingly positive response from participants, organisers and partners alike, plans are already under way to host another edition of the DDiB Summer School at UCT in 2026.

Those interested in joining the next cohort are encouraged to keep an eye on the UZH Blockchain Center website for updates, announcements and application details as they become available.