I grew up in a small village in Nigeria. My family didn't have much money, and I often had to go without basic necessities like food and clothing. But I was always determined to get an education and make a better life for myself.

When I was old enough, I moved to the city to attend university. I struggled enough on campus, and after I graduated, I couldn’t get a job for years. I ran a couple of businesses that at some point failed. Consequently I moved outside the country in 2019 in search of greener pastures.

But I never forgot the poverty and inequality that I saw growing up. I wanted to do something to help others who were struggling like I had.

That's why I'm so excited about Web3. I believe that Web3 has the potential to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

I first learned about Web3 in 2021, when I was looking for ways to invest in cryptocurrency. I had read about Bitcoin and Ethereum, but I didn't really understand what they were or why they were valuable. At the time, I was working as a content marketer in a tech start up in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and I was interested in learning more about emerging technologies.

And after reading much about Web3, I was particularly inspired by the work that Africans are doing in Web3, and I wanted to get involved. I learned that Africans are using Web3 to address some of the continent's biggest challenges, such as poverty, inequality, poor healthcare and education systems. For example,

Celo is a mobile-first blockchain platform that is making it easier for people in Africa to access financial services by using mobile phone numbers as public keys.

Unstoppable Domains is making it possible for people in Africa to own their own digital identities, which is important for economic and social development.

Coil is a decentralized content monetization platform that allows users to pay for content with cryptocurrency designed to give creators more control over their work.

The Giving Block is a non-profit that helps charities accept cryptocurrency donations and has helped raise millions of dollars so far.

Savannah Fund is a venture capital fund that is investing in Web3 startups in Africa, playing a vital role in helping African startups to succeed

The Blockchain Africa Conference is an annual conference that brings together African and international experts to discuss the latest trends in blockchain technology.

NODO is a pan-African Web3 discovery and news platform that helps Africans learn about and engage with Web3 products and services. It also helps content creators monetize their content in a decentralized way.

Bchain Academy is on a mission to empower the next generation of blockchain professionals through innovative scholarship programs.

The Future of Africa is Blockchain

Africa is a continent with immense potential. It is home to the world's youngest and fastest-growing population. It is also home to a wealth of natural resources. However, Africa also faces many challenges, including poverty, inequality, and corruption.

One of the most exciting things happening in the African blockchain space today is the number of young entrepreneurs who are building innovative startups and the rise of pan-African crypto exchanges. These exchanges are making it easier for Africans to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies. This is important because cryptocurrencies can provide Africans with a more affordable and reliable way to send and receive money.

Another exciting development is the use of blockchain to improve financial inclusion in Africa. Millions of Africans do not have access to traditional banking services. Blockchain can be used to create new financial products and services that are accessible to everyone.

Blockchain is also being used to make elections in Africa more secure and transparent. In Nigeria, for example, a new blockchain-based voting platform called ElectionGuard has been launched. This platform is designed to prevent voter fraud and to ensure that elections are fair and accurate.

Blockchain technology is also being used to improve people's lives in Africa in other ways. For example, the government of Rwanda is using blockchain to track land ownership and prevent fraud. The World Food Programme is using blockchain to distribute food aid to refugees in Ethiopia. And the non-profit organization GiveDirectly is using blockchain to send cash transfers directly to the mobile phones of poor people in Kenya.

AfriBazaar is a new blockchain-based supply chain management platform that was launched in August 2023. The platform is designed to help African farmers and businesses connect with buyers around the world.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that Africans are leading the way in Web3. The future of the internet is being built by Africans, and it is a future that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.

I hope that these stories will inspire you to get involved in Web3 and help to build a better future for all.

Are you inspired by the work that Africans are doing in Web3? Share your thoughts below.