Last year, we introduced Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) as one of the biggest trends in blockchain, with the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) at the forefront. Since then, the DePIN ecosystem has evolved rapidly, attracting billions in investment and sparking real-world applications across industries.
As we step into 2025, it's time for a follow-up: How far has DePIN come? Where does ICP stand in this revolution? And most importantly, how does this impact Nigeria and the broader African economy?
DePIN in 2025: Explosive Growth & Adoption
DePIN is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a $33 billion industry with projects spanning telecommunications, energy, cloud computing, and mobility. According to Messari, investment in DePIN-related projects grew by over 250% in 2024, with many transitioning from conceptual to real-world deployment.
DePIN’s Role in Nigeria’s Digital Evolution Nigeria, with its booming tech ecosystem and increasing internet penetration, stands at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation. The country faces significant infrastructure challenges, including unreliable power supply, inadequate internet connectivity, and high operational costs for businesses.
DePIN solutions—leveraging decentralized computing, energy, and data storage—can revolutionize these sectors by reducing costs and increasing accessibility. Sectors Thriving Under DePIN Globally, decentralized computing networks, AI, and IoT have led the DePIN revolution.
In Nigeria, these technologies can address critical infrastructure gaps.
Decentralized Computing & AI
The demand for computing power is surging, particularly with the rise of AI. DePIN projects such as io.net and Nosana enable individuals and businesses to monetize unused GPU power, reducing the cost of AI and cloud computing services. In Nigeria, where access to high-performance computing is limited and expensive, decentralized computing can lower barriers for AI startups and developers.
Decentralized Energy Infrastructure (DeGEN)
Nigeria’s unreliable power grid has long hindered industrial and technological growth. DePIN-powered microgrids, which use blockchain to optimise energy distribution, can improve electricity access. Localised, tokenised power-sharing models could allow communities to generate, store, and trade excess energy, reducing reliance on national grids and diesel generators.
Decentralized Storage & Data Management
Cloud storage remains expensive in Nigeria due to high costs from centralized providers. Decentralized storage solutions, such as Fx-land, offer secure and cost-effective alternatives. This could be particularly useful for Nigerian businesses looking to store sensitive data independently of big tech corporations.
IoT & Smart Infrastructure
The IoT market is projected to reach $1.5 trillion globally by 2030, and Nigeria’s growing smart city initiatives could benefit significantly from DePIN.
Access to reliable internet is still limited across many parts of rural Africa. Traditional telecom providers often find it unprofitable to build infrastructure in remote or low-income regions due to high setup costs and low expected returns. This digital divide restricts access to education, fintech, healthcare, and remote work opportunities.
DePIN offers a radical alternative: allowing individuals and communities to create, operate, and profit from decentralized telecom infrastructure.
- Wireless Mesh Networks: Platforms like Chirp and Helium enable users to install affordable nodes that expand wireless coverage in their neighborhoods or villages.
Example: A farming village in northern Nigeria could deploy a handful of Chirp nodes to create localized internet access, enabling digital banking, weather updates, and market data—without depending on large telcos
Additional High-Potential Market Opportunities in Africa
Decentralized Logistics and Supply Chain
Africa’s logistics landscape is plagued by inefficiencies, high costs, and a lack of transparency, especially in cross-border trade and last-mile delivery. Road infrastructure gaps, customs delays, fuel theft, and poor package tracking systems make logistics expensive and unreliable for businesses and consumers alike.
DePIN models can transform this sector by introducing blockchain-based logistics networks that are open, tamper-proof, and community-powered.
- Package Tracking: DePIN can power decentralized IoT sensors and real-time GPS trackers, ensuring that goods are monitored from warehouse to doorstep, even in areas with weak telecom coverage.
- Fuel Optimisation: By integrating decentralized AI and vehicle telemetry, fleets can minimise fuel waste through smarter routing and predictive maintenance.
- Transparent Shipping Data: Smart contracts can automate customs documentation and reduce border corruption. Stakeholders can verify every handoff, shipment timestamp, and cost via decentralized ledgers.
Example: A Nigerian agro-export business shipping products to Ghana can leverage DePIN-powered supply chain tools to track shipments, streamline customs processes, and reduce losses, without relying on opaque third-party systems.
Challenges Facing DePIN’s Adoption in Nigeria
Despite its potential, DePIN adoption in Nigeria faces several hurdles:
Regulatory Uncertainty
Nigeria’s evolving blockchain regulations may pose challenges for decentralized infrastructure projects. However, government initiatives like the National Blockchain Policy suggest a growing openness to Web3 solutions.
High Initial Costs
Setting up DePIN infrastructure requires investment, but with proper incentives, entrepreneurs can leverage tokenised rewards to attract contributors.
Public Awareness
Many Nigerians are unfamiliar with DePIN. Strategic education campaigns and partnerships with fintech companies can bridge this gap and encourage adoption.
DePIN as a Catalyst for Economic Growth
DePIN presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to lead in Web3 infrastructure, enabling startups to build scalable solutions while fostering financial inclusion.
Job Creation: DePIN-based startups can generate employment in the tech, energy, and AI sectors.
Lower Business Costs: Decentralized energy and computing can reduce operational expenses for Nigerian businesses.
Financial Inclusion: Tokenized models allow individuals to earn by contributing computing power, storage, or connectivity, fostering new income streams.
What’s Next for DePIN & ICP?
Looking ahead, ICP’s roadmap for 2025 includes several developments that will further cement its role in DePIN:
- UTOPIA & AI-Powered Infrastructure – Leveraging AI for automated, self-managing DePIN networks.
- More Bitcoin & Ethereum Integrations – Expanding DeFi opportunities on ICP.
- Africa-Focused Initiatives – More grants and incentives for DePIN projects targeting Africa.
For Nigerians, the time to pay attention to DePIN is now. Traditional infrastructure models are expensive and inefficient—ICP’s decentralised approach presents a cost-effective, community-driven alternative.
Conclusion
One year ago, we introduced DePIN as an emerging concept. Today, it’s a multi-billion-dollar movement, and ICP is proving to be a cornerstone of this revolution.
With real-world applications emerging and infrastructure gaps in Nigeria begging for solutions, DePIN could be the key to unlocking a new era of decentralized, community-powered development.
The question is no longer whether DePIN will reshape infrastructure—it’s how quickly Nigeria and Africa will embrace it.
The revolution is already here. Will you be part of it?