Kenya has joined the digital currency space with the launch of the Kenya Digital Token (KDT), the first African country to roll out a national digital token to transform financial access and inclusion.

This was announced by Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MoICDE) as a key pillar of the government’s digital transformation agenda.

Built on Solana Blockchain

KDT is built on the Solana blockchain, chosen for its fast transactions, low latency and low fees, essential for scaling digital finance for Kenya’s 55 million population. The token is listed as $KDT on the Meteora decentralized platform and uses Solana’s IBRL (Increase Bandwidth, Reduce Latency) framework to optimize performance and efficiency.

Unlike state-issued Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), KDT was developed and distributed by private innovators though it aligns with government goals on digital empowerment and inclusion. The decentralized nature of the token means no single entity controls the system, allowing broader stakeholder engagement and network resilience.

Financial Inclusion Through Innovation

KDT is more than a cryptocurrency—it’s a full digital economic platform. It comes with:

  • Pre-installed digital wallets

  • Augmented reality educational tools

  • Blockchain-based rewards systems

These features are designed to address financial exclusion in underserved communities like Kibera where traditional banking services are out of reach.

By bypassing traditional financial infrastructure, KDT gives Kenyans direct access to global digital markets, enabling e-commerce, investment, remittances and savings on the blockchain.

A Market Ready for Digital Integration

Kenya is already 28th globally and 4th in Africa in cryptocurrency adoption with citizens trading over KES 64.6 billion ($500 million) in digital assets monthly. With the familiarity with crypto technology, KDT will be easily integrated into daily transactions, especially among the youth and informal economy participants.

Towards a Regulatory Framework

To support the launch, the government is drafting a National Policy on Virtual Assets and a Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill to provide regulatory clarity while promoting innovation and public interest. The Central Bank of Kenya, Communications Authority and the Ministry of Finance are working on a compliance and governance framework for digital assets. Cabinet Secretary Kabogo said:

“Digital assets are the future of finance. Kenya cannot be left behind.”

Bottom-Up Economic Agenda

KDT is a key enabler of Kenya’s bottom-up economic transformation with a focus on youth empowerment, digital literacy and entrepreneurship. Kenyans will be able to raise capital, access investment tools and transact globally at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

And it’s not just about trading or speculation. The platform has digital identity systems, education and community-driven economic models making it a development tool.