Former UN Ambassador Harold Agyeman announced as speaker for Digital Assets Summit Africa 2026

The organisers of the Digital Assets Summit Africa (DASA) 2026 have announced the participation of Ambassador Harold Agyeman, Ghana’s former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as a confirmed speaker for the landmark continental summit scheduled for September 29-30, 2026 in Accra.

The announcement signals a strong focus on cross-border trade, digital finance diplomacy and Africa’s evolving regulatory landscape as Ghana positions itself as a leader in responsible digital asset adoption following the passage of the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill in December 2025.

DASA 2026 will take place at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, and is being organised in collaboration with the Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchange Commission Ghana, highlighting the growing institutional confidence in Ghana’s digital finance reforms.

Ambassador Agyeman: Digital assets can transform African trade

Reacting to his participation in the summit, Ambassador Agyeman emphasised the strategic importance of digital financial infrastructure in unlocking Africa’s trade potential.

“Africa’s biggest opportunity lies in removing friction from cross-border trade. Regulated digital assets and blockchain-based payment rails can dramatically reduce costs, settlement times and trust barriers that have held intra-African commerce back for decades,” he said.

He added that Ghana’s new regulatory framework presents a unique opportunity for leadership on the continent.

“With the passage of the VASP Bill, Ghana is signalling to the world that innovation and regulation can move together. This is how nations attract investment while protecting markets; and it is a model many African countries will study closely.”

Supporting Ghana’s digital assets education and awareness drive

Organisers of DASA 2026 noted that Ambassador Agyeman’s expertise will play a critical role in strengthening Ghana’s digital assets education and public awareness campaign, particularly around how regulated digital finance can support trade finance, remittances and SME growth.

Ambassador Agyeman underscored the importance of informed adoption:

“Education is essential. Digital assets are not just about technology, they are about economic empowerment, inclusion and competitiveness. When policy-makers, banks, businesses and citizens understand how these tools work within a regulated environment, the benefits multiply across the economy.”

From policy to prosperity

The 2026 summit is themed “From Policy to Prosperity: Scaling Digital Assets for Investment, Jobs & Economic Growth in Africa,” reflecting a transition from regulatory frameworks to real economic impact.

According to the DASA Secretariat: “Ambassador Harold Agyeman brings a global diplomatic lens to Africa’s digital finance conversation. His experience at the United Nations uniquely positions him to connect digital assets with trade diplomacy, investment flows and continental development”.

A strategic moment for Ghana’s financial sector

With the VASP framework now in force, Ghana’s financial institutions are preparing to enter regulated digital asset services, from tokenised assets and blockchain-based trade finance to faster cross-border settlement systems.

Ambassador Agyeman believes the timing could not be better: “This is a pivotal moment for Ghana and Africa. Digital assets, when properly governed, can become the backbone of modern African trade, supporting AfCFTA, empowering SMEs and making African markets more globally competitive.”

Shaping Africa’s digital trade future

At DASA 2026, Ambassador Agyeman will address:

• Digital assets as enablers of cross-border trade efficiency
• Reducing friction in African payment corridors
• Regulatory diplomacy in the digital economy
• Positioning Ghana as a regional digital finance hub

Organisers expect his session to be one of the summit’s highlights, directly linking Ghana’s new regulatory regime with practical economic transformation.

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