Nigeria Has Spoken. The Work Now Begins.
A Crucial Call for Participation in a Survey from the Virtual Asset Service Providers Association (VASPA)
Insights
Bridging the Gap: Unlocking the Potential of Virtual Assets in Africa with VASPA
Author
VASPA Admin
Post Date
October 10, 2025
VASPA’s Vision & Mission
VASPA’s vision is to make Africa the most business-friendly and trusted market in the global virtual assets industry.
Our mission is to build trust and confidence in the industry by promoting the safe adoption, bridging the gap between traditional operators and new players, and promoting global best practices in the virtual assets industry.
Driven by our vision and mission, we can create a thriving and trusted virtual asset ecosystem in Africa, where innovation and growth can flourish. We will promote a coordinated and collaborative approach to policy, regulation, and industry best practices, ensuring that Africa’s virtual asset sector operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability, through self-regulation and collaboration with governments, policymakers, and regulators across Africa.
VASPA’s Objectives
We will foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among VASPs, policymakers, and regulators and support innovation in the virtual asset sector.
- Bridge the gap between new players and traditional operators in the virtual asset industry.
- Promote global best practices amongst members in the virtual assets sector.
- Collaborate with members and stakeholders to promote blockchain technology awareness, education, and adoption across various industries and sectors.
- Promote a fair, transparent, and efficient virtual assets sector for the benefit of its members.
- Promote collaboration and champion policies that will help boost the use and adoption of blockchain for national development.
We will foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among VASPs, policymakers, and regulators and support innovation in the virtual asset sector.
Membership Classes
VASPA membership is categorized as follows:
Individual Members
- Expert: An academic or researcher with a proven track record of contributions to teaching, research, and development in the virtual assets industry
- Professional: Active professional providing services to the virtual assets industry and has a verified membership of relevant professional bodies (legal, accounting, compliance, etc.).
- Associate: Minimum of 1-year experience in any financial services, technology sector, regulatory compliance, digital assets trading, blockchain development, fintech industry OR currently enrolled in relevant professional certification programs and recommended by an existing member—individual, corporate, or institutional—in good standing.
Corporate Members
- Patronship Tier: Established and reputable industry player with track record in innovation and advocacy
- Partnership Tier: Strategic partners seeking enhanced collaboration
- Market Leader Tier: Major players with a significant market presence locally and internationally with annual revenue above $5,000,000
- Growth Tier: Growing companies and local players with annual revenue of up to $1,000,000 to $5,000,000
- Startup Tier: Early-stage VASPs and new market entrants with annual revenue of less than $1,000,000.
Institutional Members
Must be an accredited academic institution, research centre, or think tank and have active programs, projects, or interests in virtual assets and blockchain technology and must demonstrate commitment to research, education, and innovation in the virtual assets industry.
To view our Membership Brochure, please click here.
Membership Benefits
We have specially packaged various levels of membership benefits based on each member’s class. These benefits are outlined in our membership brochure which is available here.
Generally, by joining VASPA, members can benefit from the following:
- Networking opportunities with industry stakeholders, policymakers, and regulators
- Access to exclusive events, training, and capacity-building programs
- Participation in working groups and committees shaping the future of virtual assets in Africa
- Opportunities for collaboration and business development
- Enhanced credibility and visibility through advocacy efforts
Legal Status and Leadership
Presently, VASPA is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria, currently governed by its founding Trustees and a Steering Committee. Our leadership comprises a Board of Trustees and a Steering Committee, with key industry players, including Adedeji Owonibi and Senator Ihenyen, the nonexecutive Chair and Executive Chair of the Steering Committee, respectively. For more information about our leadership, visit the leadership page of our website.
With representatives from various African countries and through strategic partnerships, we bring together the virtual asset sectors across Africa. For more information about our leadership, visit the leadership page on our website.
Take Action: Join VASPA Today!
VASPA is currently offering a one-year free basic membership for both organizations and individuals, effective April 1 2025.
To indicate your interest in becoming a VASPA member, whether as an individual, corporate body, or institution, please submit your membership interest form here. Before submitting your form, please ensure that you studied our Membership Brochure to enable you determine which membership class is most suitable for you or for your organization.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a vibrant community shaping the future of virtual assets in Africa. Join VASPA today and contribute to creating a trusted and thriving virtual asset ecosystem in Africa.
Together, let’s unlock the potential of virtual assets in Africa with trust and confidence!
Related Posts
VASPA Appoints Founding Trustee Senator Ihenyen to Chair Newly Created Ecosystem Growth & Advocacy Committee
ABUJA, NIGERIA—July 6, 2026 —The Virtual Asset Service Providers Association (VASPA) formally announces the appointment of its Founding Trustee and Lead Partner at Infusion Lawyers, Senator Ihenyen, as the inaugural Chairman of the newly established Ecosystem Growth & Advocacy Committee. This appointment follows a strategic activation of VASPA's recently created committees and working groups as announced last month. The Mandate: Bridging Capital, Banking, and Web3The Ecosystem Growth & Advocacy Committee has been designed as a high-leverage "action room" to accelerate commercial maturity and market integration across the continent. The committee's primary mandate centers on the following: Institutional Frameworks: Directing high-level partnerships between native virtual asset entities and traditional banking, financial, and technology networks and platforms.Trust Architecture: Removing historical frictions to build deep operational trust between operators and traditional financial institutions, including promoting the growth of domestic platforms for global competitiveness.Capital Acceleration: Creating institutional corridors to attract global capital allocators into the African digital asset ecosystem. By positioning a leading innovation lawyer and founding architect at the helm of the committee, VASPA aims to fast-track structural alignment and unlock dormant B2B remittance and liquidity pathways. Perspective from the ChairCommenting on his appointment, Senator Ihenyen highlighted the strategic positioning of the new committee as a bridge for cross-functional...
