Lagos Embraces Blockchain: Real Estate Tokenization Set to Transform Nigeria’s Investment Landscape
The Lagos State government in Nigeria has announced plans to tokenize real estate, a move aimed at increasing transparency, efficiency, and revenue in the property market. Tokenization involves converting physical property assets into digital tokens on a blockchain, allowing ownership to be divided into smaller, tradable shares. This makes it easier for individuals to invest in real estate, much like buying stocks in a company.
Budget for blockchain adoption
The project, led by the Ministry of Science and Technology, will roll out over 16 months with a budget of ₦500 million (around $314,465). The initiative is expected to boost Lagos State’s internally generated revenue by attracting more investors and making property transactions more secure and transparent. By recording property transactions on a blockchain, the state aims to combat issues like land title fraud and enhance investor confidence.
This tokenization plan represents a significant step forward in modernizing Nigeria’s real estate sector, potentially serving as a model for other regions in the country and beyond.
Nigeria & Crypto
Nigeria’s stance on cryptocurrency has been complex and evolving. Despite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) imposing a crypto banking ban in 2021, prohibiting banks from facilitating cryptocurrency transactions, the country has remained a global leader in cryptocurrency usage. Even with restrictions, Nigerians have continued to trade cryptocurrencies using peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms.
In 2022, Nigeria topped the global charts for cryptocurrency adoption, with around 45% of the population (over 90 million people) reportedly using or owning cryptocurrencies. This widespread adoption highlights the disconnect between official policy and public behavior.
However, Nigeria’s regulatory environment has grown stricter. In December 2023, while the CBN allowed individuals to trade cryptocurrencies again, it maintained the banking ban, and in February 2024, Nigeria further restricted access to major crypto exchanges like Binance, OctaFX, and Coinbase. This has raised questions about the government’s true intentions regarding cryptocurrency adoption and regulation.
Despite these challenges, cryptocurrency usage in Nigeria remains robust, driven by factors like economic instability, currency devaluation, and a large population of tech-savvy young people.
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