Despite his medical background, he is dedicated to fostering a connected Africa that actively participates in the global digital revolution. He has launched numerous initiatives to bridge the gap between African communities and innovations in blockchain and financial technologies.

Felix Macharia (photo) is a Kenyan serial entrepreneur specializing in technology and blockchain innovation. He is the co-founder and CEO of Kotani Pay, a startup launched in 2019 alongside Samuel Kariuki, Brian Kimotho, and Jonathan Morgan.

Kotani Pay aims to make Web3 services accessible to African users, including those without smartphones or internet access. The startup offers a wallet accessible via SMS, enabling users to receive and withdraw funds through their mobile money accounts.

The technology converts foreign currencies into stablecoins and then into local currency, and vice versa, providing a simple, fast, and secure way for businesses to transfer money to Africa. Kotani Pay’s mission is “to serve as a frictionless bridge between digital assets and fiat for new digital currency and blockchain adopters in Africa,” according to the company.

Macharia’s involvement in blockchain extends beyond Kotani Pay. He serves as Chief Operating Officer at EOS Nairobi, a community of blockchain enthusiasts who believe the technology will be central to the future. He is also a research affiliate at the Institute for Blockchain Studies, where he explores practical applications of blockchain technology across Africa.

In efforts to formalize the blockchain sector, Macharia co-founded the African Digital Asset Framework (ADAF) in 2019. ADAF is an open-source protocol designed to establish transnational standards for digital assets on the continent. Two years earlier, he launched First Nexus Company, which develops technology solutions inspired by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Macharia’s path to technology entrepreneurship is unconventional. He graduated from the University of Nairobi with a bachelor’s degree in medical physiology in 2016 and earned a second degree in medicine and surgery in 2020.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji