Brazil and Ethiopia’s Advances in Blockchain Establish a New Benchmark for Transparency in Global Supply Chains

Web3-powered transparency is increasingly being utilized to improve global supply chains, as blockchain technology proves effective in resolving issues related to data reliability and operational clarity. Notable strides in government blockchain initiatives, especially in Brazil and Ethiopia, illustrate how decentralized technologies can overhaul administrative workflows—setting the stage for supply chain innovation. By adopting smart contracts,

record creation, and decentralized networks, these projects demonstrate how blockchain can boost efficiency in logistics, curb fraudulent activities, and build trust within intricate supply systems.

The

Foundation’s collaboration with Brazil’s SERPRO, revealed in March 2025, marks a pivotal move toward embedding blockchain in public sector operations. SERPRO, the country’s largest state-run IT firm, handles upwards of 33 billion transactions each year and oversees 30.4 petabytes of data. This partnership will see Cardano’s blockchain become part of SERPRO’s digital framework, aiming to improve transparency and operational performance in government administration. Frederik Gregaard, CEO of the Cardano Foundation, highlighted that the project seeks to “advance Brazil’s public infrastructure with blockchain-driven education and technology,” helping position Brazil at the forefront of digital advancement. The Cardano Academy, introduced for SERPRO’s 8,000 staff, features in-depth blockchain instruction and hands-on technical courses, preparing employees to deploy decentralized solutions. This program only enhances Brazil’s digital administration but also sets a model for integrating blockchain into supply chain processes, where protected data exchange and live monitoring can help alleviate bottlenecks.

Meanwhile in Ethiopia, Cardano’s Input-Output Hong Kong Foundation joined forces with the government to establish tamper-resistant digital academic records for five million learners. Although implementation faced delays due to regional instability, the initiative remains central to Cardano’s mission of tackling infrastructure gaps in Africa. Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s creator, has emphasized the platform’s capacity to deliver national ID systems, noting that Cardano’s academically vetted blockchain could reach 110 million Ethiopians. These use cases exemplify how blockchain’s transparency and security can be applied to supply chains, enabling end-to-end tracking of goods and services.

The technical framework behind Cardano’s blockchain—including its multi-layered structure and scientific foundation—supports these endeavors. Cardano’s proof-of-stake protocol delivers scalability and energy savings, which are vital for expansive supply chain operations. Smart contracts streamline regulatory processes and cut down on manual tasks, while decentralized data storage ensures information cannot be manipulated, increasing accountability. These characteristics align with rising expectations for supply chains to embrace sustainability, ethical sourcing, and instant traceability. For example, SERPRO’s integration of blockchain could encourage similar innovations in transportation, where stakeholders demand provable documentation of product origins and distribution paths.

Industry experts predict that successful government blockchain projects could prompt widespread adoption in the private sector. As public agencies validate blockchain’s effectiveness in overseeing complex information networks, sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and retail may be encouraged to implement similar systems. Ethiopia’s digital student records could, for instance, inspire solutions for tracking crops, promoting fair trade, and combating counterfeit products. Similarly, Brazil’s adoption of blockchain could pave the way for international logistics networks requiring secure and immediate data exchange among parties.

The partnership between Cardano and SERPRO also emphasizes the critical role of education in the broader adoption of blockchain. By equipping professionals with both technical know-how and strategic insight, the initiative develops a workforce ready to build and sustain transparent infrastructures. Focusing on talent development is key to scaling blockchain throughout supply chains, where expertise and collaboration are crucial to success.

Although obstacles such as regulatory hurdles and system compatibility persist, the advances seen in Brazil and Ethiopia showcase blockchain’s disruptive capabilities. As these initiatives progress, they may become benchmarks for supply chain modernization worldwide, showing that decentralized solutions can overcome entrenched inefficiencies and foster trust among all stakeholders.