View from The Stellar Development Foundation | Opening the Door for Africa's Growth

Lauren Thorbjornsson from the Stellar Development Foundation and Mick from Global Citizen discussed how blockchain technology can empower African creators in the growing creative economy. They announced the Acuna Wallet, a joint venture with Idris Elba, which provides creators with a virtual U.S. bank account to receive payments from global platforms directly into stablecoins, then cash out to mobile money or local bank accounts. The wallet addresses payment delays and high fees that creators face when monetizing content globally. The pilot launched in Ghana, chosen for its vibrant creative economy (5% of GDP), friendly regulatory environment, and sandbox approach. The discussion highlighted how the creative economy could drive job creation and poverty alleviation across Africa, with music revenues growing fastest in sub-Saharan Africa. They emphasized the importance of regulatory engagement, intellectual property protection, and local builder empowerment to unlock economic growth.