In a world obsessed with decentralization, collaboration is the one thing blockchain can’t do without. That’s where SANBA—the South African National Blockchain Alliance—comes in. This isn’t just another tech initiative. It’s a growing national effort to align startups, universities, investors, public institutions, and civil society around a common goal: making blockchain work for the real world. While most countries are still sketching roadmaps, SANBA is busy paving them with action.

A National Alliance with a Decentralised Spirit

At first glance, a “national blockchain alliance” might sound like a top-down directive. SANBA flips that assumption on its head. Though it was launched by the Department of Science and Innovation in April 2018, the alliance operates as a decentralised, community-led network. It’s not just one organisation making decisions in a vacuum—it’s a living ecosystem shaped by everyone involved.

The alliance brings together developers, researchers, government officials, entrepreneurs, and educators to form a unified voice for blockchain in South Africa. Think of it as a national “mesh network” of ideas, people, and partnerships, all working toward one thing: real-world application and adoption of blockchain across sectors.

Mapping the Ecosystem: Who’s Who in South African Blockchain

Knowing who’s doing what is half the battle. That’s why one of SANBA’s first major steps was building a comprehensive public directory—a “Who’s Who” of blockchain in South Africa. This isn’t a vanity list. It’s a functional tool that allows stakeholders to discover collaboration opportunities, avoid duplication, and tap into a growing web of blockchain expertise.

Whether you’re an investor looking for promising startups, a policymaker curious about grassroots experiments, or a student hoping to find mentors, this directory turns a fragmented landscape into a navigable one.

Who’s Involved?

The SANBA alliance includes:

• Government institutions aligning blockchain efforts with national priorities
• Academic and research bodies testing new use cases and educating the next wave
• Entrepreneurs and startups solving local problems with decentralized tools
• Established businesses transitioning legacy systems with blockchain integration
• Civic organisations and NGOs using blockchain to enhance transparency and impact

The Power of Alignment: Blockchain Needs Bridges, Not Silos

Let’s face it—blockchain often lives in silos. Developers talk to developers. Regulators regulate from a distance. Businesses hesitate because they’re unsure what’s coming next. SANBA acts as a bridge. It’s where coders meet policymakers, where funders meet founders, and where use cases get tested with real-world feedback.

This kind of alignment is crucial for blockchain to move beyond hype. Instead of isolated pilot programs, SANBA helps create integrated pathways—where innovations move from university labs into government trials, or from hackathons into scalable business models.

Funding, Skills, and Policy: Where a Blockchain Alliance Shines

A blockchain alliance is only as strong as the value it brings. SANBA delivers across three major fronts: funding access, talent development, and regulatory coordination.

Opening Capital Access

Blockchain startups often struggle to secure early-stage funding. SANBA works with partners like the Global Innovation Fund (GIF) and game changers like Spribe—creators of the crash game Aviator—to open new funding pathways. Recent opportunities include:

Initiative	Partner / Platform	Funding Range
Blockchain Challenge Bounty	Public Bounty Platform	R30,000 per project
Innovation for Public Good	Global Innovation Fund + DSI	Proposal-based
Ecosystem Directory Grants	SANBA Community Fund	R30,000 directory

Upskilling South Africa

There’s no blockchain future without human capital. SANBA supports academic partnerships, blockchain bootcamps, and Web3 certifications to build a talent pool that’s ready to meet market demand. It’s not just about coders—it’s also about legal scholars, economists, and project managers who understand the implications of decentralized systems.

Navigating the Policy Maze

The alliance also works closely with bodies like the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group (IFWG) and the South African Financial Blockchain Consortium (SAFBC) to help shape policy. By giving regulators direct access to technical experts and community insights, SANBA encourages flexible, informed frameworks rather than restrictive red tape.

Why Blockchain Alliances Matter for Africa

South Africa isn’t an island. If it wants to lead the Africa blockchain conversation, it needs to build infrastructure that’s both scalable and inclusive. National blockchain alliances like SANBA offer a model for other African nations to replicate—balancing innovation with equity, and strategy with grassroots energy.

From rural farmers using blockchain to track supply chains, to city governments testing digital IDs, the potential applications are endless. But none of it works unless there’s coordination, guidance, and cross-sector support. That’s what SANBA offers.