Unleashing the Power of Blockchain: A Kenyan Developer's Quest to Build a New Economy
Macharia Waruingi
Leading profound change in global health with blockchain at Actuate Foundation
In the bustling city of Nairobi, Kenya, young developers assembled in Ubrica Nairobi on Munderendu Road, had a vision. This team of dynamic individuals dreamed of using blockchain technology to solve some of the country's most pressing problems, from??facilitating access to market to the marginalized population, to biomedical innovation to translation of knowledge from universities to add value to items produced by local people.
Awakened to Blockchain
The team had awakened to the insight that blockchain was a revolutionary technology that could provide the trust and transparency that Kenyan society needed. In addition, they knew also that developing a successful blockchain project was no easy task. They would need to navigate a complex web of technical challenges, regulatory hurdles, and social dynamics.
Theoretical Underpinning
One day, the team stumbled upon a book that would illuminate a path: "Knowledge and Power: Information Theory of Capitalism" by George Gilder, published in 2013. In this book, Gilder argued that capitalism is not just about the accumulation of wealth, but about the creation of new knowledge and the discovery of new patterns in the world.
The team was struck by the parallels between Gilder's ideas and the potential of blockchain. They realized that blockchain was not just a new way to do business, but a way to create a new economy based on the discovery and sharing of knowledge.
Conceptual Framework
With this inspiration, The team set out to develop blockchain project. They turned to the mathematical theory of communication developed by Claude Shannon, published in 1948 which provided a framework for encoding and decoding information in a way that was secure and efficient.
Community Owned
The project quickly gained traction in the tech community in the world, and attracted?groups of investors who wanted to ?participate in the work. But the team was wary. ?They knew that the success of the project depended not just on money, but on the support of the wider community. The team turned to the writings of Tracy Kidder and AnnaLee Saxenian for guidance.?
Soul
Kidder wrote one of the most well-known and comprehensive books on the rise of Silicon Valley, known as “The Soul of a New Machine". Published in 1981, the book follows a team of engineers at Data General Corporation as they raced to build a new 32-bit minicomputer in order to compete with rival computer company Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).
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"The Soul of a New Machine" provides a behind-the-scenes look at the intense pressure and technical challenges faced by the engineers as they work to design and build a revolutionary new computer. The book is notable for its vivid portrayal of the culture of innovation and competition in the early days of the computer industry, the state of things in Kenya today
New and Fresh
"The New Argonauts" by AnnaLee Saxenian published in 2006, explored the rise of immigrant entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and their impact on the tech industry in the world. Saxenian argued that immigrant entrepreneurs brought unique skills and perspectives to the industry, including strong social networks, cross-cultural experiences, and a willingness to take risks. These traits allowed them to create innovative products and services that were highly competitive in the global market. Saxenian also examined the challenges that immigrant entrepreneurs faced, such as navigating cultural barriers and accessing capital,.
Saxenian noted that the same factors that contributed to the success of immigrant entrepreneurs in the United States, such as strong social networks and cross-cultural experiences, were also present in other regions with high levels of immigration, such as Europe and Asia. Saxenian noted the emergence of new tech hubs in places like Bangalore, India, and Tel Aviv, Israel, where immigrant entrepreneurs have played a crucial role in driving innovation and growth.
Overall, "The New Argonauts" suggests that the success of immigrant entrepreneurs is not limited to Silicon Valley or the United States, but is a global phenomenon that is increasingly shaping the tech industry worldwide. This is what is taking place in Nairobi.
Movement
The team learned from these writings a model for how to build a movement around the project. They began hosting meetups and soon a community of developers, activists, and entrepreneurs had formed around the project. The congregating group forming community shared the team’s vision of using blockchain to create a new, more equitable economy in Kenya.
Tireless
Together, they worked tirelessly to overcome the technical and regulatory hurdles that stood in their way. They lobbied government officials, held public demonstrations, and built partnerships with other organizations across the country. In the end, their hard work paid off. The team’s blockchain project became a model for how to use technology to solve social problems, and it paved the way for a new era of innovation and growth in Kenya.
As George Gilder would have put it, the team’s blockchain project was not just a product, but a symbol of the human spirit of innovation and creativity. ?A story of how a small group of people can change the world, and a testament to the power of ideas to shape our collective destiny