Shiga Digital, an African-founded blockchain firm, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first of its kind to receive a Digital Assets License from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This approval positions the company to lead the development of regulated blockchain-based financial services between Africa and the Middle East.
The license enables Shiga Digital to operate within one of the world’s most advanced digital asset frameworks, offering services such as asset tokenisation, digital custody, and cross-border settlements. By working under DIFC’s strict compliance and regulatory standards, the company is bridging a gap many African startups face: access to global investors and institutional-grade trust.
According to TechAfrica, Shiga Digital’s next move includes opening regional hubs in Lagos and Nairobi. These hubs will serve as operational centres for piloting tokenised securities and infrastructure financing, in partnership with local financial institutions. This approach aims to unlock new capital streams for sectors like energy, transportation, and real estate, while creating more transparent and secure investment channels.
The company’s strategy highlights an important shift in Africa’s financial innovation journey: moving beyond basic crypto trading toward building robust blockchain infrastructure that supports real-world assets. By leveraging Dubai’s regulatory environment, Shiga Digital is creating a bridge for African businesses to tap into international liquidity without compromising compliance.
This move could accelerate the adoption of tokenised finance across the continent. With African governments exploring regulatory clarity and global investors seeking emerging market opportunities, Shiga Digital’s expansion could set a precedent for more firms to follow this dual-market model.
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