The visionary founder of Web3bridge, Awosika Israel Ayodeji, has shed light on the transformative journey of the annual Web3 Lagos Conference.
This landmark event is making waves by unifying the blockchain community in Nigeria and across Africa, bringing together industry experts, developers, investors, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts under one roof for a three-day immersive experience.
Ayodeji’s mission to ignite change was sparked in late 2021 when he revealed plans for the Web3 Lagos Conference. However, unforeseen circumstances led to its postponement. The turning point came in 2022, when a visa denial for the Ethereum Community Conference in Paris highlighted the need for a local conference to fuel growth within the Ethereum and blockchain sphere, free from visa constraints.
With the intention to replicate the achievements of the Ethereum Community Conference (ETHCC), Ayodeji established the Web3 Lagos Conference. Its primary focus was on high-level technical discussions, emphasising substance over cryptocurrency speculation.
The conference’s impact exceeded expectations, rapidly evolving into a platform known for its exceptional quality of topics, esteemed speakers, and invaluable post-event insights.
Renowned for its excellence in technical workshops and sessions, the Web3 Lagos Conference is an industry leader. This year, the conference boasts a comprehensive lineup of over 15 developer-focused workshops.
The agenda covers a broad spectrum, including account abstraction, smart contract audits, blockchain entry strategies, job prospects, and more. Highlights include a 60-minute Q&A session with Ethereum’s founder and an African-focused Web3 discussion. Additionally, two specialised sessions for Web3 startups are set to empower emerging entrepreneurs.
To maintain a leading edge, the conference leverages active participants within the blockchain ecosystem as speakers. These experts share current, up-to-date insights and knowledge, ensuring attendees remain informed in a rapidly evolving landscape. Informal evening events further facilitate robust conversations and networking opportunities.
Collaboration is at the heart of the Web3 Lagos Conference’s success. Partnerships with esteemed teams, projects, and individuals, including AyaHQ, have been pivotal. AyaHQ’s involvement in the inaugural Ayathion hackathon highlights their essential role as collaborators.
The conference has also fostered collaborations with Nigerian and African blockchain communities, university blockchain clubs, and several prominent sponsors, solidifying its position as a collaborative nexus.
Spanning three impactful days, the conference offers an immersive experience. The initial two days are dedicated to intensive workshop sessions, empowering attendees with the latest insights in Web3, catering to diverse backgrounds and experience levels.
The final day crescendos with keynote speeches by global thought leaders, addressing pivotal topics within the blockchain industry.
A unique feature of the Web3 Lagos Conference is its capacity to bridge gaps among developers, investors, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts. With a diverse participant mix including startup founders, developers, product managers, designers, content and marketing experts, the conference fosters networking and stakeholder engagement beyond traditional bounds.
The conference’s reach extends to newcomers in the blockchain domain. The inaugural edition witnessed over a hundred attendees with no prior knowledge of blockchain technology, subsequently transforming into active contributors. This year, registrations include university lecturers and curious newcomers, underlining the conference’s vital educational role.
Evidencing its global appeal, the Web3 Lagos Conference has garnered applications from international blockchain ecosystem leaders. Representing over seven European countries, the United States, and Asia, attendees seek to explore and understand Africa’s thriving blockchain landscape. As interest grows, the conference’s positive outcomes are poised to reverberate across other African blockchain communities.
Diversity and inclusion are paramount, with the conference actively supporting underrepresented groups. Last year’s spotlight on women in the Web3 field triggered interest from these groups. This year tailored inclusive programs have been introduced to cater to their evolving needs.
Thriving in the dynamic blockchain landscape requires adaptability. The Web3 Lagos Conference aptly mirrors the evolving blockchain ecosystem through discussions, workshops, and presentations, embracing change to remain pertinent.
According to the brains behind it, the conference will serves as a catalyst for groundbreaking collaborations and projects. The previous year’s hackathon spurred teams to nurture projects that contribute value to the ecosystem, solidifying the conference’s reputation as an innovation launchpad.
The pandemic’s economic impact has not deterred the Web3 Lagos Conference’s growth. Rooted in organic growth principles, the conference carved a unique niche for itself. Bolstered by unwavering community support, it successfully maintained engagement in challenging circumstances.
