Strategy Revealed: Lisk's African Plan under Chidubem Emelumadu's Leadership
In the dynamic landscape of blockchain technology, one challenge stands out in Africa's quest for widespread adoption: the "chicken and egg" dilemma of deciding whether to focus on builders or retail adoption first. However, organisations like Lisk are tackling this issue head-on, taking a builder-first approach to growing the ecosystem while also creating opportunities for the broader community.
At the helm of Lisk's African operations is Chidubem Emelumadu, the African Ecosystem Lead. A seasoned professional with a passion for blockchain, Chidubem's typical day at Lisk involves engaging with African ambassadors, working with projects in Lisk's incubator programs, and coordinating ecosystem-building initiatives. His interest in blockchain was further solidified by hands-on experience with the technology and working closely with a blockchain developer.
Chidubem's role at Lisk extends beyond managing relationships. He fosters human-first connections among women founders, builders, and operators, breaking the barriers for female participation in the industry. This is evident in Lisk's initiatives, such as hosting a brunch for female blockchain operators to connect, share insights, and support each other.
Lisk's strategy for growing the blockchain ecosystem in Africa is twofold. It focuses on empowering local startups and addressing real-world issues through incubation, funding, mentorship, and infrastructure access. Key elements of this strategy include the Lisk Incubation Program and addressing African challenges.
The Lisk Incubation Program is a six-month immersive Web3 incubator initiative targeting African blockchain startups. It offers up to $100,000 in funding, mentorship, business model refinement, tokenomics guidance, and legal navigation tailored to the African context. The program helps startups scale from local ventures to larger players by providing access to the Lisk protocol infrastructure and marketing strategies.
Lisk also emphasises blockchain's potential to solve critical issues in Africa such as land disputes, corruption, democratizing access to justice and energy, and improving electoral integrity. Startups are encouraged to harness blockchain to tackle these systemic problems.
In addition, Lisk supports digital transformation in informal trade through platforms like LovCash in South Africa. This initiative digitises supply chain transactions in the informal economy, enabling digital payments, real-time sales tracking, loyalty rewards, and reducing cash reliance.
Representation is important in fostering a human-first ecosystem, according to Lisk. Chidubem Emelumadu was initially drawn to blockchain due to its potential to improve financial access, particularly in regions like Nigeria. Africa, with its rapidly growing youth population that is tech-savvy and eager to explore new financial systems, presents a fertile ground for blockchain adoption.
As the continent's digital economy expands, blockchain will play a crucial role, and global ecosystems are realising they need to invest early. Lisk is focused on building an expansive ecosystem for builders in high-growth markets like Africa, Asia, and Latin America. By combining financial grants, technical mentorship, infrastructure access, and support for blockchain applications addressing real local needs in governance, finance, and commerce, Lisk aims to overcome adoption challenges while demonstrating blockchain’s tangible benefits in key sectors.
- Chidubem Emelumadu, the African Ecosystem Lead at Lisk, is working diligently to grow the blockchain ecosystem in Africa, focusing on both local startups and real-world problem solutions.
- Lisk's strategy involves incubation, funding, mentorship, and infrastructure access for African startups, with programs like the Lisk Incubation Program offering up to $100,000 in funding.
- The Lisk Incubation Program aims to help startups scale by providing access to the Lisk protocol infrastructure, legal navigation tailored to the African context, and marketing strategies.
- Lisk is also encouraging startups to use blockchain technology to tackle systemic issues in Africa, such as land disputes, corruption, democratizing access to justice and energy, and improving electoral integrity.
- To foster a human-first ecosystem, Lisk supports initiatives like LovCash in South Africa, which digitises supply chain transactions in the informal economy, enabling digital payments and reducing cash reliance.
- Africa, with its young, tech-savvy population, presents a promising ground for blockchain adoption, and Lisk is committed to building an expansive ecosystem for builders in high-growth markets like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
