The inaugural Web3 Global Conference Africa Edition demonstrated Africa’s growing influence in blockchain technology and decentralized finance. Hosted at The Zone in Gbagada, Lagos State, Nigeria, the event saw an impressive turnout with over 500 in-person attendees from a pool of more than 1,500 registrants. Additionally, 300+ participants tuned in online, a testament to the continent’s mounting interest and enthusiasm for Web3 technologies. This turnout highlighted the significant and rising engagement with blockchain and decentralized systems across Africa.
Organized by Web3 Global Conference LLC, the event brought together industry experts, developers, founders, venture capitalists, and blockchain enthusiasts, all aligned in a shared vision of Africa as a key player in the decentralized future. Sponsors included ICP.Hub Sahara West Africa, TON Society, and Wizzwoods, with contributions from 30 community partners across the Web3 ecosystem.
Exploring the Theme: “The Future is Decentralized”
The event opened with a red carpet welcome and registration, followed by a compelling keynote from the host, Jude Anumudu. Anumudu emphasized the conference theme, “The Future is Decentralized,” highlighting the transformative potential of Web3 technologies for Africa’s economic and social development. He called for collaboration and innovation, stressing the importance of positioning Africa at the forefront of the global blockchain revolution.
Keynote Highlights of the Web3 global conference
The day’s discussions kicked off with Chimezie Chuta, Founder of Blockchain Nigeria User Group (BNUG), who delivered a keynote titled, “Blockchain in Nigeria: Unraveling the Regulatory Maze.” Chuta’s address provided valuable insights into Nigeria’s evolving blockchain regulations, shedding light on challenges and opportunities for innovators.
This was followed by Adedayo Adebajo, Co-founder of ICP.Hub Sahara West Africa, who explored “Chain Fusion: A Truly Decentralized Blockchain Interoperability.” Adebajo’s session addressed the hurdles and solutions around cross-chain interoperability, a critical step for achieving seamless decentralized ecosystems.
A key panel discussion on “The Future of Finance: DeFi & TradFi” delved into how decentralized finance (DeFi) intersects with traditional finance (TradFi). Panelists included Chisom Felix (Somehcrypto), Emmanuel Tochukwu (Blockchain Content Writer), David Whyte (Bankly), and David Ijie (Zone Payment Network). Moderated by Oluwabamikemi Kayode, the session focused on how DeFi can drive financial inclusion across Africa.
Empowering Developers and Building Communities
The conference also highlighted opportunities for developers in the Web3 space. Awosike Israel Ayodeji, Founder of Web3Bridge, inspired attendees with a keynote titled “Web3 Goldmine: How Developers Can Prosper in the New Digital Future.” Ayodeji encouraged developers to embrace Web3 as a gateway to professional growth and financial empowerment.
In the next panel, “Engagement in Web3: How Marketing and Community Building Intersect,” experts discussed the importance of brand engagement in driving user adoption. Panelists included Emmanuel Tope (Toronet), Adejumo Adefisayo (Software Engineer), and Justice Eneje (Juju Games), with Killian Mayua of Adanian Labs moderating the discussion.
Other notable sessions included Uchenna Agams Onuegbu from TON Syndicate, presenting on “Web3 In Every Pocket,” and Glory Praise Emmanuel, Developer Advocate at INTMAX, who spoke on “The Battle for Ownership: Protecting Your Digital Assets in Web3.” Both talks emphasized the democratizing power of Web3 technologies and the importance of safeguarding digital ownership.
Technical Sessions and Future Prospects
The final panel, “Interoperability and Scaling in Blockchain Networks,” featured experts like Daniel Idowu (Software Developer), Fiyin Odebunmi (Helicode), Ese Monday (Developer Relations Engineer), and Toluwalope Ajetunmobi (Ph.D. intern at Nethermind). Moderated by Temitope Akintade of Technext, the panel explored strategies for achieving scalability and interoperability in blockchain networks.
Closing the technical sessions, Kingsley Okonkwo led a hands-on workshop on “Gasless DApps: How to Build One.” Okonkwo’s demonstration provided attendees with practical insights into developing decentralized applications without gas fees—an essential step toward wider blockchain adoption.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Bernice E. Omiunu, COO of Web3 Global Conference LLC, who thanked participants and shared a glimpse of what to expect in future editions.
Shaping Africa’s Decentralized Future
The Web3 Global Conference Africa Edition 2024 was a landmark event, demonstrating Africa’s readiness to embrace Web3 technologies and become a leading force in the decentralized digital economy. With vibrant discussions on DeFi, digital ownership, interoperability, and developer empowerment, the conference paved the way for a new era of blockchain-driven innovation on the continent.
Looking ahead, Web3 Global Conference LLC is committed to building on the momentum from this inaugural event, fostering education, innovation, and collaboration within Africa’s and global Web3 ecosystem. The success of this edition signals the start of an exciting journey toward a decentralized future—one where Africa plays a pivotal role.
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