Introduction

What if you could use the internet in a way that is more democratic, transparent, and inclusive than ever before? What if you could create and access digital platforms and services that give you more control and ownership over your data and assets? What if you could leverage the power of emerging technologies to innovate, solve problems, and make a positive difference in the world? These are some of the questions and possibilities that Web 3 offers. South Africa is one of the leading countries in Africa that is embracing Web 3 and its potential benefits for various sectors and domains. In particular, South Africa has a vibrant and growing ecosystem of education and research institutions that are exploring and advancing Web 3 concepts, technologies, and applications. This article will highlight the role of three prominent actors in this ecosystem: the University of Cape Town, the Blockchain Academy, and the Centre for Blockchain Technologies.

The University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is the oldest and highest-ranked university in Africa, with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research across various disciplines. UCT has been at the forefront of Web 3 education and research in South Africa, offering courses, workshops, seminars, and projects on blockchain and digital currency topics.

In November 2021, UCT launched a six-week online course on Blockchain and Digital Currency, in collaboration with GetSmarter, a leading online education provider. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of how blockchain technology fits into the existing financial systems, how applications such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto-assets can be used, and what are the ethical implications of investing in the crypto-asset industry. The course also covers the legal and regulatory aspects of blockchain and digital currency, as well as the emerging trends and opportunities in the field. The course is designed for professionals who want to gain a competitive edge in the digital economy, as well as for anyone who is interested in learning more about Web 3 and its implications for society.

UCT also hosts the African Institute for Financial Markets and Risk Management (AIFMRM), a research unit that focuses on quantitative finance, risk management, and financial innovation. AIFMRM conducts research on various aspects of Web 3, such as the valuation and risk management of crypto-assets, the design and analysis of smart contracts, the governance and regulation of decentralized platforms, and the social and economic impact of Web 3 technologies. AIFMRM also collaborates with industry partners, such as the South African Reserve Bank, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, and the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group, to provide policy advice and guidance on Web 3 issues.

One of the leading researchers at AIFMRM is Dr. Co-Pierre Georg, an associate professor of finance and director of the Financial Innovation Lab. Dr. Georg is an expert on blockchain and digital currency, having published several papers and books on the topic, as well as being a frequent speaker and commentator in the media. Dr. Georg is also the founder and director of the UCT Blockchain Initiative, a cross-disciplinary platform that brings together researchers, students, and practitioners from various fields to collaborate on Web 3 projects and initiatives. Dr. Georg is also the co-founder and director of the African Blockchain Alliance, a non-profit organization that aims to educate, empower, and connect the African blockchain community.

Dr. Georg shared his views on Web 3 and its potential for Africa in an interview with Blockbuild Africa:

"Web 3 is a paradigm shift in how we interact with the internet and each other. It is not just about technology, but also about culture, values, and governance. Web 3 enables us to create more democratic, transparent, and inclusive digital platforms and services, where users have more control and ownership over their data and assets. Web 3 also offers new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact, especially in Africa, where there is a huge demand and potential for digital solutions that can address the challenges and needs of the continent. Web 3 can help us leapfrog the legacy systems and infrastructure that have hindered our development and progress, and create a more prosperous and sustainable future for ourselves and our communities."

The Blockchain Academy

The Blockchain Academy is a private education and consulting company that provides training and consulting on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology worldwide. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, the Blockchain Academy teaches attendees about the opportunities that exist and how to use Web 3 technology in order to innovate and better prepare for the future.

The Blockchain Academy offers various courses and workshops, both online and in-person, for different levels of knowledge and experience, ranging from beginners to advanced. Some of the topics covered by the Blockchain Academy include:

- Introduction to Bitcoin and Blockchain

• Blockchain for Developers

• Blockchain for Financial Institutions

• Blockchain for Lawyers

• Blockchain for Entrepreneurs

• Blockchain for Social Impact

The Blockchain Academy also organizes and hosts events, such as hackathons, meetups, webinars, and conferences, to foster networking and collaboration among the Web 3 community. The Blockchain Academy also partners with other organizations, such as universities, corporates, NGOs, and government agencies, to provide customized training and consulting solutions for their specific needs and goals.

The founder and director of the Blockchain Academy is Sonya Kuhnel, a pioneer and leader in the Web 3 space in South Africa. Sonya has been involved in the blockchain and crypto industry since 2013, when she co-founded Bitcoin Events, the first company in Africa to host blockchain and crypto events, such as the Blockchain Africa Conference and the Crypto Fest. Sonya is also the co-founder and director of the Bitcoin Association of South Africa, a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for the adoption and use of Web 3 technologies in South Africa.

Sonya explained the vision and mission of the Blockchain Academy in an interview with Bitcoin Magazine:

"The Blockchain Academy was founded in 2015 with the aim of educating people about the potential and benefits of Web 3 technologies, such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies. We believe that Web 3 is a game-changer for many industries and sectors, as well as for society as a whole. We want to empower people with the knowledge and skills to use Web 3 technologies to create value, solve problems, and make a positive difference in the world. We also want to build and support a strong and diverse Web 3 community in South Africa and beyond, where people can learn, share, and collaborate with each other."

The Centre for Blockchain Technologies

The Centre for Blockchain Technologies (CBT) is a research and innovation hub that focuses on the development and application of Web 3 technologies for social good. CBT is a joint initiative between the University of Cape Town, the University of Nicosia, and the University of Zurich, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

CBT aims to leverage the expertise and resources of its partner institutions and organizations to conduct cutting-edge research on Web 3 topics, such as:

• Blockchain for Sustainable Development Goals

• Blockchain for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response

• Blockchain for Digital Identity and Inclusion

• Blockchain for Governance and Democracy

• Blockchain for Education and Learning

CBT also engages in various innovation and outreach activities, such as:

• Developing and testing Web 3 solutions for real-world challenges and use cases

• Providing technical and strategic advice and support to Web 3 projects and initiatives

• Organizing and participating in Web 3 events and competitions

• Offering Web 3 education and training programs and courses

• Creating and disseminating Web 3 knowledge and awareness materials and resources

The director of CBT is Dr. Maria Papadaki, a senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Nicosia, and an expert on blockchain and social innovation. Dr. Papadaki has been involved in several Web 3 projects and initiatives, such as the Blockchain for Social Impact Coalition, the Decentralized Chapters Network, the Blockchain for Education Network, and the Blockchain for Peace Innovation Lab. Dr. Papadaki is also the co-founder and director of the Institute for the Future, a multidisciplinary research and innovation center that explores and promotes the use of emerging technologies for social impact.

Dr. Papadaki shared her perspective on Web 3 and its potential for social good in an interview with UNDP:

"Web 3 is a powerful and transformative technology that can enable more efficient, transparent, and inclusive systems and processes for social and economic development. Web 3 can help us address some of the most pressing and complex challenges that we face as a global community, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, conflict, and corruption. Web 3 can also empower and enable people to participate and contribute to the solutions that affect them and their communities, as well as to access and benefit from the opportunities that Web 3 offers. Web 3 is not a magic bullet, however, and it comes with its own challenges and risks, such as scalability, interoperability, security, privacy, and regulation. Therefore, we need to be careful and responsible in how we design, develop, and deploy Web 3 technologies, and ensure that they are aligned with the values and principles of human rights, democracy, and sustainability."

Conclusion

South Africa is a pioneer and leader in Web 3 education and research in Africa, thanks to the efforts and contributions of various actors and stakeholders in the ecosystem. The University of Cape Town, the Blockchain Academy, and the Centre for Blockchain Technologies are three examples of institutions that are playing a key role in providing Web 3 knowledge and skills, creating and disseminating Web 3 innovations, and collaborating and engaging with the Web 3 community and society. By doing so, they are supporting the development and adoption of Web 3 in South Africa and beyond, and to the realization of its potential for positive social and economic impact. This article invites further exploration and investigation of the Web 3 landscape in South Africa, and encourages more collaboration and engagement among the Web 3 actors and enthusiasts in the country and the region.