Blockchain came to the world subtly in 2009 when no one thought about the potential of such an innovation.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2020/05/22/10-years-after-laszlo-hanyecz-bought-pizza-with-10k-bitcoin-he-has-no-regrets/">purchase</a> of two Pizzas for 10,000 BTCs by Laszlo Hanyecz made the news but the meaning wasn't convincing yet. Then, Ethereum was launched in 2015 helping humanity see how much more can be done with blockchain and not just cryptocurrencies.
&nbsp;
Down the line, dApps were being created with the help of smart contracts and the revolution picked up fast. Guess what? NFTs came in and within moments, what we used to know as JPEGs were transformed into multimillion-dollar digital assets.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
All these were happening in America and Europe especially. Africa wasn't fully involved in it apart from the adoption of Bitcoin for trading and making money.
&nbsp;
Then after the lockdown of 2020, it became obvious that this technology will determine the direction of the global economy. We realized that there was a huge need to have an organization and an event that will help onboard the next African Blockchain Professionals starting with a focus on developers.
&nbsp;
And so <a href="https://www.blockchainhubafrica.com/home">Blockchain Developers Conference</a>, 2021 became the start of the new system for us at <a href="https://www.blockchainhub.africa">BlockchainHubAfrica</a> to get the next talents from Africa to build products for the continent of over 1.4b people.
&nbsp;
The event was held in Coal City, Enugu State, Nigeria; attracted more than 300 persons from more than three continents learning and connecting for about eight hours. It was so successful and has led to more projects that will be shared here over time.
&nbsp;
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/blockchainhub-africa/image/upload/v1648738595/Company-website/featuredEventsImg1_irhlk9.jpg" alt="blockchain-conference-enugu" width="960" height="641" />
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">
<h2>Our Guests and Partners</h2>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
We had the support of huge personalities and brands in the International blockchain space.
&nbsp;
Joseph Peculiar, a Blockchain Solution Engineer working with Crypto.com and <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/EarnathonHQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Earnathon</a>.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/codemathics?originalSubdomain=ng">Clement Hugbo</a>, a Blockchain Product Designer, works with Indexcoop and leads the team at <a href="https://crevatal.com/">Crevatal</a>.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/koderholic?originalSubdomain=ng">Oluchi Enebeli</a> also addressed the attendees. She's the founder of <a href="https://web3ladies.com/">ladiesdotech</a>, worked with BundleAfrica, and has more than 5 years in Software and Blockchain development.
&nbsp;
Our Keynote Speaker was <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mparlikar">Medha Parklikar</a>, CTO and Co-Founder of <a href="https://casperlabs.io/">CasperLabs</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chukwuka021?trk=public_profile_samename-profile&amp;originalSubdomain=ng">Henry Chukwuka</a>, the founder of <a href="https://muna.app/">Muna</a> was part of the guests at the event.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://austingriffith.com/">Austin Griffith</a>, an experienced builder on Ethereum shared a lot with the entire team as well.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ugochukwu-aronu-4477a59b?originalSubdomain=ng">Ugochukwu Aronu</a>, a tech phenomenon from Africa, and founder of <a href="https://xend.finance/">XendFinance</a> also shared blockchain insight with us.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dikejudein?originalSubdomain=ng">Jude Dike</a>, a top programmer with more than six years in the industry, was part of our guest. He's a Blockchain Engineer at <a href="https://epns.io/">EPNS</a>.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayowa-tudonu?originalSubdomain=ng">Mayowa Tudonu</a>, the founder of <a href="https://walletcloud.app/">WalletCloud</a> was part of the event.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Partners at the event included XendFinance, Casper, <a href="https://cryptotvplus.com/">CryptoTvPlus</a>, Muna, Crevatal, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/company/acex-african-consolidated-exchange">Acex</a>, and Enugu State Tech Hub.
&nbsp;
That's not all&hellip;
&nbsp;
Blockchain Developers Conference 2022 is coming soon!

Blockchain Developers Conference, 2021

We love Africa. She's resilient and strong but like every other region of the world, we have a financial challenge with our retirement systems. Retirees are not prepared for life after active service, especially financially.
&nbsp;
In South Africa, a 2020 Report <a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/finance/491907/shock-retirement-numbers-for-south-africa/amp/">said</a> that about half of South Africans don't have a retirement plan. For those who do, there is great uncertainty about the strength of the plan. Business Tech, a tech-based website ran a poll for its readers and <a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/finance/491907/shock-retirement-numbers-for-south-africa/amp/">realized</a> that between 30% and 45% of them do not deposit their retirement.
&nbsp;
Another glaring <a href="https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/retirement-should-be-enjoyed-not-endured/amp/">insight</a> is that most self-employed business people don't have retirement savings plans while 40% of business owners doubt their ability to retire before 65.
&nbsp;
This gives a glimpse of what a household faces when the breadwinner retires and has nothing or when the breadwinner refuses to retire. Families are shattered. Hopes lost. Fate thrown down.
&nbsp;
<h2>The Problem:</h2>
&nbsp;
Unemployment affects our population. For those who get jobs, there's no efficient, modern system to help them plan for life after active service years. Therefore, retirement is full of pains and regrets.
&nbsp;
For those with jobs, they work their entire life, put little to nothing down for retirement, and when they retire, the struggles continue.
&nbsp;
For those who put money down, inflation dumps it so that even a 5% salary increase during active service is wiped off by 10% inflation.
&nbsp;
What hope do we have in this?
&nbsp;
<h2>Development of Our Solution:</h2>
&nbsp;
Realizing the challenge mentioned above, we brainstormed on several ideas to solve this dilemma. We wanted something easy to use, transparent, secured, fast and accessible for older and younger generations.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The product was meant to suit public and private employees as well as entrepreneurs.&nbsp; Beima.app is what came out of this search. Our platform is created to take care of your financial retirement worries.
&nbsp;
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/blockchainhub-africa/image/upload/v1647705081/Company-website/beima_jndjti.png" alt="Beima" width="862" height="751" />
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Features of Beima.app:</h2>
&nbsp;
Beima.app is a financial retirement planning system built on XendFinance SDK to help users plan for life after retirement.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Some of the features that make the Beima.app unique:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
Automated Flexible Savings
</li>
</ul>
Users are permitted to select how long they want to save and the intervals of savings. Once connected to the platform, your savings are taken automatically without stress.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
High interest
</li>
</ul>
On Beima.app, users have the advantage and opportunity to receive high interest on savings over time.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
Security with NEAR Finance Layer 2 Protocol
</li>
</ul>
This is where the advantage of blockchain technology comes in. NEAR Finance protocol is a system used globally to secure assets on blockchain platforms.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
No third-party interferences
</li>
</ul>
So simple. You don't need another person to manage your finances for you on Beima.app. It's a connection that's between you and the system.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
Approved withdrawals
</li>
</ul>
What happens when a user cannot access savings due to death or severe health challenges? There is an option to allow your Next Of Kin to retrieve liquidity.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
Limitless Currency Integration
</li>
</ul>
On Beima.app, there will be options to use other global finances to increase the yield of savings.
&nbsp;
<h2>The Team:</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a title="Chidiebere" href="https://thechidiebere.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chidiebere</a>, Fullstack and Smart Contract Developer</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chukky, Smart Contract Developer</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Joshua Mba, Project Manager</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Joshua Nwokoye, Product Designer</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Uche Edeoga, Product Lead.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
You can check our <a href="https://hackathon.xend.finance/winners">performance</a> at the XendFinance Hackathon, 2021.

Beima.app: Our First Product

The outburst of crypto projects all over the world has caused a global <a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/101blockchains.com/demand-for-blockchain-skills/amp/">call</a> for talent to fill in the gap. Organizations including <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/faang-stocks.asp#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,(formerly%20known%20as%20Google).">FAANGS</a> have shown interest in the professionals they need to fill up that space.
&nbsp;
From <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/amp/content/25504559">Microsoft</a>, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/07/23/amazon-is-hiring-a-digital-currency-and-blockchain-expert.html">Amazon</a> to <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2021/05/26/apple-hiring-cryptocurrency-job/amp/">Apple</a> and allegedly <a href="https://thenextweb.com/news/facebook-cryptocurrency-blockchain-bitcoin-jobs/amp">Facebook</a>, the numbers are going higher. Other brands are not left out&hellip; a look into <a href="https://cryptocurrencyjobs.co/">cryptocurrencyjobs</a>, <a href="https://crypto.jobs/">cryptojobs</a>, and <a href="https://cryptojobslist.com/">cryptojobslist</a> reveals this more. However, there are two major challenges affecting this demand: lack of available talent and exposure to the roadmap on entering the Web3 space.
&nbsp;
In this post, we'll share with you how to transit into the Web3 space from Web2. Note: it doesn't mean Web2 will not be relevant anymore.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/blockchainhub-africa/image/upload/v1647705067/Company-website/web-20-vs-web-30-difference-feature_dqwcv0.jpg" alt="web2-to-web3" width="1680" height="840" />
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">
<h2>Learn and Understand Web3</h2>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
There are similarities as well as differences between Web1, Web2, and Web3. Being exposed to the difference is what gives the edge. For example, Wallets in Web3 are replacing the normal password signup process in Web2. In Web3, there's a focus on ownership as well as earning in a decentralized manner.
&nbsp;
NFTs, DeFi, GameFi, DEXs, Swap options, and now, the reign of metaverse are some of the trends in web3 that aren't in Web2. For developers, Solidity, Rust, and Substrate are the new ways of communicating.
&nbsp;
If you love community, understanding how Telegram, Twitter, and Discord work becomes a necessity. You can start your learning process on any of these platforms: <a href="https://www.edx.org/course/blockchain-understanding-its-uses-and-implications?index=product&amp;queryID=000a8bfce5d20e46899a815534b7ce58&amp;position=3">edX</a>, <a href="https://simpli-web.app.link/e/2l3TKNpEuob">Simplilearn</a>, <a href="https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=cryptocurrency%20and%20blockchain">Coursera</a>, <a href="https://academy.binance.com/en">Binance Academy</a>, and <a href="https://www.udacity.com/course/blockchain-developer-nanodegree--nd1309">Udacity</a>.
&nbsp;
Learning about Web3 starts with understanding what blockchain is about, the use cases, its advantages, limitations&hellip; the basics of the technology, and then you can further into specific skills.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">
<h2>Match Your Skill to Web3</h2>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
There are two ways this is applicable: those who have skills that can be used in the Web3 space and those who need to learn new skills relevant in the Web3 space.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
For instance, if you're a programmer, in the Web2 space, and good with Python, Java, or C++, you can easily transition to the blockchain environment as a developer. All you need to do is practice more with Solidity or any other language.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The same thing applies to content creators in Web2. SEO, research, and other content creation processes are still needed. The addition here will be how does blockchain work?
&nbsp;
The second scenario can be with a person without any skill related to either Web2 or Web3. Such a person will need to learn about blockchain first and then decide on the skills to master. The skill learned will help to provide value to Web3 firms by solving problems.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">
<h2>Leverage Web3 Communities</h2>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
One of the most unique features of Web3 is that it's <a href="https://www.cryptoaltruism.org/blog/there-is-no-community-quite-like-the-web3-community-heres-how-to-make-the-most-of-it">community-centric</a>. It thrives on community - from product launch to sustaining market influence to dominance. Once you have chosen the focus of your skill, you can search for communities where people of like minds and similar skill sets are present. Join in, connect ad keep the learning drive on.
&nbsp;
Communities will not just help you learn, job opportunities for companies and projects are also easily accessed via community engagements. The circle is complete with a food community - connect, learn, and earn.
&nbsp;
Examples of such communities are <a href="https://dev.to/t/web3">dev</a>, for developers; <a href="https://web3ladies.com/">web3ladies</a>, for ladies in Web3; <a href="https://blockchain.ieee.org/communities">IEEE Blockchain</a>; and then for each project like <a href="https://ethereum.org/en/community/">Ethereum</a>, <a href="https://solana.com/community">Solana</a>, <a href="https://docs.harmony.one/home/general/community">Harmony One</a>, <a href="https://community.algorand.org/">Algorand</a>&hellip; there are communities built around them to further the vision of blockchain technology and that of the pioneering organizations.
&nbsp;
In conclusion, Web3 is still untapped and the demand for talent is high. The returns, flexibility, and opportunities in the industry are great. You might want to consider coming in as quickly as possible. If you have the right skills already, you can check out <a href="http://jsiekierski.com/crypto-job-sites/">jobs</a>, and if you need to get the right skills, look up the organizations shared above.

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