Bitcoin may make headlines when its value crashes or climbs, but the blockchain technology behind the controversial cryptocurrency could help Kenya and indeed the continent overcome some of its biggest developmental challenges.
Leishen Pillay,
partner at Hogan Lovells, says blockchain could present new ways to help
overcome challenges which continue to stymy the continent’s growth, like
corruption and a lack of infrastructure.
“Corruption and
fraud are classic problems. Yet, people are still looking at them through the
lens of how we have always tried to solve them in the past. We need to fully
embrace the way technology can offer new solutions to these age old problems,”
says Pillay.
He argues that blockchain offers a new approach to combatting corruption because of its
ability to create and store encrypted records which can be verified, but not
altered or deleted.
“The best way to
explain how blockchain works is to think of the Lego blocks you may have played
with as a child. Blockchain uses an algorithm to layer data sets on top of each
other just like you use different layers of Lego blocks to build a wall. The higher you build a wall of Lego, the more
difficult it becomes to remove any of the Lego blocks inside it – especially
the ones lower down. In the same way each layer of new data encrypted in a
blockchain increases the integrity of the layers below it, so no single data
set can be deleted or manipulated in any way.”
However, it is
not just this layering process which ensures that data stored on a blockchain
is so secure. Blockchain is also decentralised – which means it simultaneously
stores data on a large number of computers instead of just one.
“Blockchain
makes use of a distributed ledger. A traditional ledger – that is a book or
piece of software used to record transactions – only stores transactions in one
place. Blockchain stores each transaction on a network of millions of computers
around the world, which makes it virtually un-hackable,” explains Pillay.
He says these
attributes make blockchain technology ideal for keeping records which need to
be protected from fraud and corruption. Property deeds, identity documents,
hospital records and vehicle registration documents can all be securely stored
using blockchain technology.
“Imagine we could place public finances on a
blockchain accounting system where each transaction is recorded and can be
traced. This can greatly improve transparency through ensuring there is an
inalienable record of every governmental transaction which can be used to
verify that funds are spent appropriately.”
But Pillay says
the possible applications for blockchain technology in Africa go far beyond the
administrative sphere. For example, a combination of blockchain and the
internet of things could be used to continuously monitor the temperature of
vaccines in a cold chain.
“Certain
vaccines need to be kept below a certain temperature until it is administered
to a patient. A connected smart device can monitor the temperature of the
vaccine and create a tamper proof record if the cold chain is broken at any
time. This removes any uncertainty around whether the vaccine can be
administered safely.”
The
decentralised nature of blockchain also means that this technology can
implemented without the need for large infrastructure upgrades in Africa.
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