Web 3 Emergence In Africa: Role of a community manager

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I am excited to share with you the emergence of Web 3 in the African tech community. Over the past few years, we have seen significant growth in the adoption and development of Web 3 technologies across the continent. This trend is set to continue, and I believe it presents a tremendous opportunity for all of us.

For those who may not be familiar with the term,

Web 3 refers to the next generation of the internet, which is decentralized, open-source, and community-driven. Unlike the current Web 2.0, which is controlled by a few large tech companies, Web 3 is built on a blockchain infrastructure that allows for greater transparency, security, and user ownership.

In Africa, we are already seeing the adoption of Web 3 technologies in various sectors, including finance, governance, and social impact. For example, projects such as BitPesa and PAXFUL are using blockchain technology to facilitate cross-border payments, while platforms like Akoin are creating digital economies in underserved communities.

Furthermore, African developers are actively contributing to the development of Web 3 technologies through open-source projects, hackathons, and other initiatives. For example, the Africa Blockchain Developers Call (ABDC) is a community of over 1200 developers across the continent, who are working together to build decentralized applications on blockchain platforms.

In comparison to global trends, Africa is not lagging behind in the adoption of Web 3 technologies. In fact, some argue that the continent is leading the way in certain areas. For example, the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector has seen significant growth in Africa, with platforms such as CowryWise and Bundle Africa offering financial services to the unbanked and underbanked.

Roles of Community Managers in the Web 3 Space

As a Community Manager, I believe it is essential to advocate for the adoption and development of Web 3 technologies in our communities. By doing so, we can create a more open, decentralized, and equitable internet that benefits all users, regardless of location or background.

• One way to promote Web 3 is by educating our community members about its potential benefits and use cases. This could involve hosting webinars, workshops, or meetups that bring together developers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to discuss the latest trends and innovations in the field. We can also create content, such as blog posts or podcasts, highlighting the success stories of Web 3 projects in Africa and beyond.
• Another critical role of community managers in advocating for Web 3 is to foster collaboration and networking among our members. We can facilitate connections between developers, investors, and other stakeholders, which can lead to the creation of new projects and partnerships. Additionally, we can promote the use of open-source software and standards, which can help to build a more inclusive and collaborative ecosystem.

To illustrate the impact of community-driven initiatives, we can look at the success of the Ethereum blockchain, which was built on a community-driven model. Ethereum has become one of the most popular blockchain platforms, with thousands of decentralized applications (dapps) built on top of it. The success of Ethereum is due in part to the vibrant developer community that has contributed to its development and adoption.

According to my research, here are 10 resource platforms that Community Managers in the Web 3 space may find useful:

1. Ethereum Community Forum - A discussion forum for developers, users, and enthusiasts of the Ethereum blockchain. ?https://ethereum-magicians.org/
2. ConsenSys Media - A platform that provides news, analysis, and resources related to blockchain technology and decentralized applications. https://media.consensys.net/
3. Gitcoin - A platform for developers to find and contribute to open-source projects related to Web 3 technologies. ?https://gitcoin.co/
4. The Daily Gwei - A newsletter that provides daily updates and analysis on the Ethereum blockchain and Web 3 ecosystem. https://thedailygwei.substack.com/
5. CryptoSlate - A media outlet that provides news, analysis, and data on the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. https://cryptoslate.com/
6. OpenZeppelin - A library of secure and audited smart contract libraries for building decentralized applications. https://openzeppelin.com/
7. Web3 Foundation - A non-profit organization that funds and supports projects related to Web 3 technologies. https://web3.foundation/
8. Blockgeeks - An educational platform that provides courses and resources on blockchain technology and Web 3 applications. https://blockgeeks.com/
9. DappRadar - A platform that provides data and analysis on decentralized applications built on blockchain platforms. https://dappradar.com/
10. Messari - A platform that provides data and analysis on cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects, including Web 3 applications. https://messari.io/

These resources can provide valuable information and connections for Community Managers in the Web 3 space, helping them to stay up to date on the latest trends and developments in the field.

Sometimes, you may want to follow experts that will give you regular insights about the space, here are ten Web 3 influencers that Community Managers may find useful to follow:

1. Vitalik Buterin - Co-founder of Ethereum and a prominent figure in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. Twitter: @VitalikButerin
2. Gavin Wood - Co-founder of Ethereum and founder of Polkadot, a multi-chain blockchain platform. Twitter: @gavofyork
3. Laura Shin - Host of the "Unchained" and "Unconfirmed" podcasts, which cover blockchain and cryptocurrency news and analysis. Twitter: @laurashin
4. Andreas Antonopoulos - Author and speaker on blockchain and Bitcoin. Twitter: @aantonop
5. Camila Russo - Author of "The Infinite Machine," a book on the history of Ethereum, and founder of The Defiant, a media platform covering decentralized finance (DeFi). Twitter: @CamiRusso
6. Ryan Selkis - Founder and CEO of Messari, a platform that provides data and analysis on cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects. Twitter: @twobitidiot
7. Meltem Demirors - Chief Strategy Officer at CoinShares, an investment firm focused on digital assets, and a prominent speaker and commentator on blockchain and cryptocurrency. Twitter: @Melt_Dem
8. Balaji Srinivasan - Former CTO of Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange, and currently an angel investor and entrepreneur. Twitter: @balajis
9. Naval Ravikant - Investor, entrepreneur, and author of "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant," a book on achieving wealth and happiness. Twitter: @naval
10. Ben Horowitz - Co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, a venture capital firm that invests in blockchain and cryptocurrency projects, and author of "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," a book on building a startup. Twitter: @bhorowitz

Following these influencers can provide valuable insights and perspectives on Web 3 technology and its applications, as well as connections to other industry professionals and organizations.

As community managers, we have an important role to play in advocating for Web 3 in the African tech community. By promoting education, collaboration, and open-source standards, we can help to create a more decentralized and equitable internet that benefits everyone. Let's work together to build a brighter future for our communities.

Do you have more insight about this topic, please share your thoughts in the comment section.

I look forward to connecting with you next week. please share and like this post if you found it useful.

Ubuntu!

Kamaldeen Kehinde, Community Manager.