By: Damian Okonkwo

Here Davizoe Effiong, a web 3.0 consultant and Blockchain professional discusses the many ways in which Blockchain technology is being used in Africa today. He outlines the challenges and Opportunities available in using Blockchain in Africa today.

Greetings Mr. Davizoe Effiong,

Thanks for honoring this interview.

I am pleased to have you as our guest today for this interview on the application of Blockchain technology in Africa.

Preliminary question: Can you briefly tell us about yourself and your journey so far as a Blockchain professional and Web 3.0 Consultant.

Ans

My Name is Davizoe Effiong. I am a Blockchain professional and Web 3.0 Consultant. I began my journey in Blockchain in 2017 as a content creator, In 2018/2019 I became brand ambassador for sense chat and karma Dapp built on Eos network. I began tutoring in 2019 and a senior mentor at EmpowermeEos a platform designed to educate Africans on blockchain technology.

I started working for Bitfx, a Nigerian first indigenous Exchange in 2020. Here I worked as a community manager at the Humane impact initiative, African first blockchain charity Arm.

I founded my first company in 2019 called "beiedu.co"

I began trading in 2019 and quit trading in 2021.

At this point in 2021, I wrote my first book on "Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Simplified by Davizoe Effiong".

As a Web 3.0 consultant and Blockchain professional, I have spoken in over 700 seminars both on-line and offline which I've reached over 20,000 Africans since 2018.

I have worked for many international and African blockchain companies as ambassador, contract staff and main staff.

I began consulting in 2020 after COVID lockdown and I've consulted for several start-up companies in different capacities such as Business Development manager, Country Manager, African manager, Advisory and many more.

Currently, I am a blockchain tutor in Ayaversity, and blockchain education invasion.

I'm a two time sitting vice president on Blockchain education and adoption at the stakeholders in the blockchain technology association of Nigeria.

I think I should just stop here as there are still more to mention.

Part B: Questions and Answers on the application of Blockchain technology in Africa

1. What are some of the key challenges faced by African countries in adopting and implementing Blockchain technology?

Ans:

The key challenge is regulations, most of the time we tend to be confused here.

As individuals, groups, communities, we try our best in terms of education and awareness, right now we lack proper government regulation.

If Blockchain is openly regulated, challenges like funding won't really be a problem because the government will set out loan boards just like agricultural loans and others.

2. How can Blockchain technology be used to address some of Africa's most pressing challenges, such as financial inclusion, supply chain transparency, and governance?

Ans

The most pressing challenges up till now is that many African countries find it hard to transact within themselves. When we go ahead to use banks, we end up having delays and this can be solved by blockchain cross border remittance.

In the voting system, by employing blockchain in voting, we can have a stress free, cheaper, accurate and more safer election process.

The health sector is also facing some serious challenge, most of our hospitals don't have records of patients of over 5yrs, 10 years because we have poor data storage which blockchain can solve.

Country Database: we lack this, that's why a country like Nigeria, does thumbprint during Jamb, WAEC, Neco, NIN, BVN and we still do so for driving license and many more, yet we can't account for a single data. If Blockchain is applied, all these processes won't be necessary because when a data is on a block it can't be altered nor deleted and it's saved for life.

3. What are some of the specific examples of how Blockchain technology is being used in Africa today?

Okay here are some of the examples below:

The National Youth service corp-NYSC had in the past employed blockchain to fight against certificate forgery.

Agriculture: A Kenya company known as AgrilLedger is using blockchain already for recording food harvest and supply.

Sitemap is already using blockchain for recording real estate transactions.

PlaySmartcryptobet is already using blockchain for prediction of games.

HealthGo is already using blockchain for healthcare services.

Remittance: we have several remittance companies using blockchain like; ivorypay, boundlesspay, Bitmama, Bitbarter, Vent and many more.

4. What are the future opportunities for Blockchain technology in Africa?

Ans

The future is bright, very soon there will be blockchain based jobs. I say so because it's a revolution and we can't fight it.

There will be several applications of Blockchain in various fields.

5. As a Web 3.0 Consultant, how compatible is the web 3.0 technology with Blockchain?

Ans

It's very compatible, any Web3 technology can be translated into blockchain with ease.

6. What advice would you give to African entrepreneurs and innovators who are looking to use Blockchain technology to solve problems in their communities?

Ans

My advice is that entrepreneurs should not give up. I know it's stressful because there is hardly any support from the government and some government policies can ruin all your efforts.

Let's keep building for Africans. It's just a matter of time and the efforts will be seen and applauded.

So my final words is that Blockchain is here to stay.

Thanks so much!