The partnership between EkoLance and TechonomyAfrica aims to improve living standards by placing as many talents as possible in remote jobs with web3 and blockchain companies from the developed world.
- This initiative will foster opportunities for the African diaspora to create global blockchain opportunities and solutions.
- In general, the web3 and blockchain ecosystems remain primarily male-dominated.
- With the normalisation of bitcoin, the need for blockchain developers is increasing.
EkoLance and TechonomyAfrica team up
Maria Eneva-Olms and Modupe Ativie founded EkoLance after meeting during a blockchain training in early 2021. The two realised that blockchain development had been the most sought-after skill, with statistics showing that globally female developers were still less than 10%.
The founders’ idea was to bridge the gap and increase diversity in the blockchain. Modupe and Maria saw the growing demand for blockchain professionals in all business sectors. They rose to the occasion by training talented people in the new blockchain professions and creating employment opportunities for them.
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TechonomyAfrica is an e-learning platform that seeks to build the greatest blockchain and cryptocurrency education decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO). Africa’s foremost Edtech platform is focused on educating African millennials and GenZ’s with web3 and blockchain technology to empower them with the skill sets necessary to build sustainable wealth calibrated for the new age.
In August, the two Edtech platforms announced a partnership to strengthen emerging countries’ blockchain technology and web3 ecosystem. The partnership between EkoLance and Techonomy aims to improve living standards by placing as many talents as possible in remote jobs with web3 and blockchain companies from the developed world.
In a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the duo resolved to launch a specialised program for players in the blockchain technology and web3 industry in selected countries this year. This initiative, the pair said, will foster opportunities for the African diaspora to create global blockchain opportunities and solutions.
Diversity and inclusion in web3 and blockchain
In general, the web3 and blockchain ecosystems remain primarily male-dominated. However, more women from developing nations are encouraged to pursue opportunities in tech to enhance versatility, inclusion, and diversity in the sector while addressing the labour shortage.
Even though statistics indicate that a growing number of women already engage in training and recruitment activities aimed at attracting more women to the technology sector, several indications point out that gender prejudice still influences the behavioural atmosphere in and about the industry. As of 2019, less than a thousand black women were working as blockchain developers around the world.
In conjunction with Ekolance, TechnomyAfrica will address these issues by delivering free training for various professional streams, particularly those in high demand, such as solidity programming, strategic planning, and content creation.
According to their MOU, the two financial technology giants will develop customised blockchain programming for individuals from emerging economies by 2022. The comprehensive partnership will generate chances for women and the African diaspora to build global web3 and blockchain solutions and opportunities.
With the normalisation of bitcoin, the need for blockchain developers is increasing. The new partnership will focus on turning the tide of women in tech and create a more supportive environment from early childhood up to formal schooling and well into people’s careers.
According to Linda, founder of TechonomyAfrica, the two partnering companies have committed to putting women in Africa and other developing countries to lead this new digital revolution, generating new wealth for their families and communities.
Aligning web3 and blockchain with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The initiative by EkoLance and TechonomyAfrica directly contributes to five of the United Nations’ SDGs. These include gender equality, education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and social inclusion. Although emerging economies have historically maximised such innovative technology, the initiative will change that pattern for this wave of tech, according to Linda.
According to Modupe Ativie, co-founder EkoLance, the focus is not just educational inclusion but building and nurturing communities of competent web3 professionals for every job role. This venture will only become a success by providing hands-on training from global web3 and blockchain experts and direct access to jobs. The goal is to gradually but steadily close the demand gap for blockchain professionals with talent from emerging communities.
