Chinonso Chijioke, CEO of CupidTech and founder of Blok AI, the WhatsApp-integrated crypto trading chatbot, is making strategic connections at Africa Tech Summit 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
With the strong belief that “building for Africa doesn’t happen from a distance,” Chinonso takes his seat among Africa’s leading tech innovators at the three-day summit in Nairobi. He described the event as not only a platform for showcasing innovation but a critical opportunity to forge real partnerships that drive meaningful change across the continent.
Why This Matters
“As innovators and founders, especially those building products that address real challenges in African markets, it is essential that we come together physically,” Chinonso explained. “Everyone here is trying to solve Africa’s most pressing problems, from financial inclusion to infrastructure gaps. But the challenge has never been a lack of pioneers; it’s been a collaboration problem. Real transformation happens when we step out of our comfort zones, meet face-to-face, and co-create solutions grounded in the realities of our markets.”
Building in Africa, for Africa
Chinonso emphasized that proximity matters, saying, “Real solutions emerge when founders collaborate on the ground, understanding local market dynamics, user behavior, and regulatory environments. You can’t build effectively for Africa from Silicon Valley or London alone; you need to be here, listening, learning, and building alongside the people you’re serving.”
Strategic Connections: Pan-African Collaboration in Action
The Africa Tech Summit gathering represents a critical moment for African founders building infrastructure that leapfrogs traditional financial systems, making digital assets and financial services accessible to the continent’s 1.4 billion people.
At ATS 2026, Chinonso engaged in strategic conversations with global fintech pioneers, including Chris Duffus, founder of Fonbnk, who shared insights on bridging traditional banking gaps through mobile-first crypto infrastructure. Their discussion reinforced the growing momentum around innovative financial solutions built specifically for emerging markets, where mobile penetration far outpaces traditional banking access.
“Chris and the Fonbnk team are doing incredible work in enabling crypto-to-mobile money conversions across Africa,” Chinonso noted. “These conversations remind us that we’re not working in silos, we’re part of a larger movement to democratize financial access across the continent.”
Key Highlights
- Introducing Blok AI to the Pan-African Tech Ecosystem
Chinonso used the summit as a platform to showcase Blok AI, demonstrating how the WhatsApp-integrated chatbot enables users to buy, sell, and convert cryptocurrency using simple text commands—no app downloads, no technical expertise required.”You can basically chat with Blok using natural language like ‘I want to buy 100 USDT,’ and Blok will guide you through your entire transaction in just 3 minutes,” Chinonso explained. “And instead of going to Google for conversion rates, Blok provides real-time crypto rates and handles the entire process within your WhatsApp chat.”The product is designed specifically for African users who rely heavily on WhatsApp for daily communication and commerce, making cryptocurrency trading as simple as sending a text message.
- Key Partnerships and Insights from ATS 2026
Beyond Fonbnk, Chijioke connected with investors exploring AI-powered fintech solutions, ecosystem builders focused on scaling African startups, and fellow founders working on complementary technologies in payments, remittances, and digital identity. These conversations have opened doors for potential integrations, pilot programs, and strategic partnerships that could accelerate Blok AI’s reach across multiple African markets. - CupidTech’s Vision for AI-Powered Financial Inclusion Across Africa
CupidTech is committed to building AI-driven solutions that meet Africans where they are; on the platforms they already use daily. Blok AI represents the first step in a broader vision: making financial tools accessible, simple, and conversational. By removing technical barriers and leveraging familiar interfaces like WhatsApp, CupidTech aims to empower millions of Africans to participate in the digital economy, whether through cryptocurrency trading, remittances, or other financial services. - “As Africa’s tech ecosystem continues to expand, the time to collectively invest in solutions that meet people where they are is now,” Chinonso concluded. “This is happening here, right now, in rooms like this at ATS 2026, where the future of African fintech is being built through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to solving real problems for real people.”
