Event Speakers

Blockchain Enthusiasts, Industry Experts, Researchers, and Thought Leaders

PROF NNAMDI NWULU; DR LUCA MAZZOLA; ANUSHKA SOMA-PATEL; AKHONA DAMANE; CAROLINE DAMA; HEMASH KALA; IAN PUTTER; LOHAN SPIES; MAURICE CRESPI; DR NTSIBANE NTLATLAPA; MUHAMMAD ZUBAIR OMARJEE; SEAN MOUTON.

Schedule

About Event

Mainstreaming Blockchain is a thought leadership media event organized by the SA/Swiss Chair on Blockchain Technology at the University of Johannesburg, the event is a gathering of blockchain enthusiasts, industry experts, researchers, and thought leaders. Its core focus is to explore the vast potential of blockchain technology within South and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Why Blockchain

Blockchain technology is not just another tech innovation; it's at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). It has the power to reshape industries like finance, healthcare, and logistics. To spread awareness about its significance, sharing insights on blockchain is vital.

Session One

08:30 AM - 09:00 AM: Registration and Welcome Coffee
09:00 AM - 09:15 AM: Opening Remarks
Introduction to the Event & Overview of Agenda: Mr MZ Omarjee
Welcome Address: Prof Nnamdi Nwulu (UJ) & Dr Luca Mazzola (HSLU)
09:15 AM - 10:15 AM: Keynote Address
Topic: "Blockchain Technology: Transforming Africa's Future"
Speaker: Ms Anushka Soma-Patel, IOHK, South Africa
Q&A Session
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM: Tea/Coffee Break

Session Two

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Panel Discussion
Topic: Blockchain Adoption Strategies for African Enterprises:
[Panelist 1: Mr Ian Putter, Standard Bank]
[Panelist 2: Mr Akhona Damane, Edgepoint Software] Moderator: [Mr Hemash Kala, Beansprout Technologies]

Audience Q&A
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Success Stories and Case Studies:
Topic: Real-world Impact: Blockchain in Africa/African Businesses:

Speaker: Ms Caroline Dama, Kenya

Audience Q&A
12:30 PM - 01:30 PM: Lunch Break

Session Three

01:30 PM - 02:15 PM: Regulatory Landscape and Challenges
Topic: Navigating Blockchain Regulations in South and Sub-Saharan Africa:
Speaker: Mr Maurice Crespi, Partner, Schindlers Attorneys
Audience Q&A
02:15 PM - 03:00 PM: Future Trends and Opportunities
Topic: "The Road Ahead: Emerging Trends in African Blockchain Ecosystem:
Speaker: Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa, C4IR South Africa: Centre Head, CSIR. Audience Q&A
03:00 PM - 03:15 PM: Tea/Coffee Break
03:15 PM - 04:15 PM: Live Demonstrations of Blockchain Use Cases with Interactive by: Lohan Spies(DIDx) and Sean Mouton(ABSA)

Speakers

Click On Image or Name To See More

                                    
                                    PROF NNAMDI NWULU
                                
                                    DR LUCA MAZZOLA
                                
                                    ANUSHKA SOMA-PATEL
                                
                                    IAN PUTTER
                                
                                    AKHONA DAMANE
                                
                                    HEMASH KALA
                                
                                    CAROLINE DAMA
                                
                                    MAURICE CRESPI
                                
                                    DR NTSIBANE NTLATLAPA
                                
                                    LOHAN SPIES
                                
                                    SEAN MOUTON
                                
                                    MUHAMMAD ZUBAIR OMARJEE

IAN PUTTER

Head Blockchain COE, Innovation as a Service at Standard Bank

Ian currently holds the title of Head Blockchain COE in the Innovation team at Standard Bank. He collaborates and partners with specialists and organisations locally and internationally as well as Standard Bank teams to determine how this emerging technology can be leveraged best for enhanced efficiency and controls including focusing on new business models focusing on customer first. He also performs in the role of Training Officer for the CA Graduate Training Program.

Ian received a Master’s degree in Banking and Economics from the University of Pretoria and thereafter completed an Honors and CTA at the University of Johannesburg to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. He started his career as an Economist and later joined Standard Bank in 1996 in the Treasury Audit Department. Ian participated in the original SAP General Ledger implementation at Standard Bank and later became the Global CFO of the Global Markets business for the Corporate and Investment bank “CIB” – where he spent a large part of his career and gained extensive local and international accounting, tax and regulatory experience. This was invaluable when he was appointed the Legal Entity Controller for CIB South Africa and the lead on the Global CIB Accounting Rules Engine project – which further enhanced his technical skills. He spent two years as the Head of Africa Finance Integration and had the privilege of traveling to nearly all the Standard Bank franchises in the Rest of Africa. Ian has worked in various areas and functions in the Bank working across the group in many African countries as well as internationally

With more than 26 years of industry expertise, comprehensive academic training and practical professional development, Ian Putter is a future-focused Executive at Standard Bank, the largest financial institution in Africa, where he heads up Blockchain focusing on multiple use cases and platforms some in production and some starting – working and collaborating with local and global experts. He is a blockchain evangelist and has spent the last two years focusing on this technology.

MAURICE CRESPI

Partner, Schindlers Attorneys

Maurice is a highly respected attorney who has established himself as a leading expert in the field of blockchain law. With over 25 years of experience in commercial law and litigation, he has combined his legal expertise with his passion for technology to become a trailblazer in the blockchain industry.

In 2017, Maurice founded the first blockchain department in South Africa, which quickly became a go-to destination for clients seeking legal solutions for their blockchain needs. His unique approach encompasses both the legal and technological aspects of blockchain, providing clients with comprehensive advice on developing tokens, wallets, exchanges, NFTs, and other blockchain-related matters.

Maurice’s ground-breaking work in the field of blockchain law includes the development of the Cowrie Token (www.mycowrie.org), the world’s first turnkey ICO by a law firm. He specializes in what he calls “Crypto 3.0”, the intersection of technology and law, which involves tokenization of real-world assets, NFTs that transfer legal rights, security and utility token offerings, and fractionalization of property using NFTs or fungible tokens.

With his team of tech experts, Maurice can offer comprehensive assistance to clients with all aspects of their technological requirements, which is a world first for a law firm.

As a leading expert in the field of blockchain law, Maurice can help clients navigate the emerging tax and regulatory landscape for blockchain enterprises. He has a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory challenges that blockchain enterprises face and can provide valuable advice on compliance with regulations, including anti-money laundering and know-your-customer requirements. Additionally, Maurice stays up-to-date on the latest regulatory developments in the blockchain industry, ensuring that his clients receive the most current and accurate legal advice.

Maurice is an accomplished speaker and has been invited to speak at various conferences around the world, including the Nordic Blockchain Conference in Copenhagen and the Noah Conference in Zurich. He has also founded the South African Institute of Blockchain Practitioners, a leading association that provides training and certification programs for blockchain professionals.

Through his contributions to the blockchain industry, Maurice has played a crucial role in advancing the legal framework for emerging technologies, making him a true pioneer in the field of blockchain law.

Mainstreaming Blockchain: A Thought Leadership Media Event Held 24th October; 2023.

Event Speakers

Schedule

About Event

Why Blockchain

Session One

Session Two

Session Three

Speakers

Click On Image or Name To See More

PROF NNAMDI NWULU

DR LUCA MAZZOLA

ANUSHKA SOMA-PATEL

IAN PUTTER

AKHONA DAMANE

HEMASH KALA

CAROLINE DAMA

MAURICE CRESPI

DR NTSIBANE NTLATLAPA

LOHAN SPIES

SEAN MOUTON

MUHAMMAD ZUBAIR OMARJEE