Global Settlement Holdings, a Miami-based financial technology company, has announced plans to acquire a controlling stake in AKIBA International Limited to set up a regulated digital trading platform in Uganda. The platform will allow investors to buy and sell “tokenised” real-world assets. Tokenisation means converting ownership of physical assets, such as infrastructure or minerals, into digital units that can be traded online.
The proposed joint venture aims to mobilise up to $1.5 billion to finance projects in infrastructure, mining, trade and industrial development. Officials said the funds will support areas such as energy, industrial parks, mining operations and trade financing. Trade finance refers to funding that helps businesses pay for goods before they are sold, while working capital means money used for daily operations.
The platform will operate under the Bank of Uganda’s regulatory sandbox. A regulatory sandbox is a controlled environment where companies test new financial technology under supervision before full approval. The system will also work with a local bank. It will allow companies to raise funds by issuing digital tokens and enable investors to trade them later in a secondary market, meaning reselling after the first purchase.
Global Settlement Holdings said it will deploy blockchain technology to run the system. Blockchain is a secure digital ledger that records transactions in a transparent and tamper-resistant way. The company will fund initial infrastructure and technical integration for the pilot phase. The move follows its earlier involvement in a $5.5 billion pilot on tokenised assets and central bank digital currency in Uganda.
Ryan Kirkley, chief executive of Global Settlement Holdings, said Uganda is developing rules for tokenised capital markets early, creating opportunities to channel investment into sectors such as energy, mining, agriculture and trade. AKIBA International chief executive Chris Kyerere said the partnership aims to link local projects to global investors under proper oversight.
The venture will also introduce compliance measures, including anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing controls. These are checks meant to prevent illegal funds from entering the financial system. Officials said the initiative could expand access to capital and strengthen digital finance in Uganda as blockchain adoption grows across Africa
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