Cardano-Powered Research Odyssey in Africa

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Catalyst Africa Townhall Team

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We are researching Africa's blockchain challenges, spotlighting Cardano's approaches and informing strategic advancements.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

This is a research based project and the findings will be accessible to the community

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

Proposed Solution: Unlocking Blockchain Potential in Africa with Cardano

Limited understanding of blockchain technology in Africa hinders its adoption. Our research seeks to uncover these barriers, focusing on Cardano as a catalyst for addressing challenges and unlocking the technology's potential.

Approach

We approach this challenge with a comprehensive research initiative, leveraging both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, businesses, and local communities, ensures a holistic understanding of the landscape. We aim to uncover nuanced insights into factors influencing blockchain adoption and the unique role Cardano can play in this context. Beyond just this research we want to publish a research paper of our research to not only the Cardano community but for the wider academic community to benefit from

Engagement

Our project engages with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including policymakers, local businesses, academia, and the general public. Collaborations with local communities ensure an inclusive approach, capturing diverse perspectives on blockchain's impact.

Impact Demonstration

Impact will be demonstrated through tangible outcomes, including published research reports, data-backed insights into barriers and opportunities, and actionable recommendations for stakeholders. The dissemination of findings through community events, academic publications, and media channels will further amplify the impact.

Uniqueness and Benefits:

This research uniquely centers on Cardano's role, providing specific insights crucial to the Cardano community. Beneficiaries include the global blockchain community, policymakers, and businesses seeking to navigate the African blockchain landscape. Understanding the dynamics of blockchain adoption in Africa is vital for Cardano's global expansion, aligning with its commitment to decentralization, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.

In essence, our research serves as a strategic guide, unraveling complexities, fostering informed decision-making, and strengthening Cardano's position in shaping Africa's blockchain future.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

Positive Impact on the Cardano Community

1. Informed Strategy: The research will provide the Cardano community with deep insights into the challenges and opportunities of blockchain adoption in Africa, enabling more informed strategic decisions.
2. Global Expansion: The findings will guide Cardano's approach to global expansion, particularly in Africa, fostering stronger community engagement, partnerships, and tailored solutions.
3. Community Empowerment: By understanding the local context, the Cardano community can actively contribute to overcoming adoption barriers, empowering local communities, and fostering sustainable growth.

Measuring Impact

1. Publication Impact: The impact of the research will be measured through the reach and citations of published research reports in academic journals, conferences, and media outlets.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Active engagement with policymakers, businesses, and communities will be assessed through their feedback, adoption of recommended strategies, and continued collaboration.
3. Cardano Community Involvement: The project's success will be measured by the level of Cardano community involvement, feedback, and contributions to the research process.

Sharing Outputs

1. Open Access Publications: Research findings will be disseminated through open-access publications, ensuring accessibility for academics, stakeholders, and the Cardano community as well as the Catalyst Africa townhall website andsocial media accounts.
2. Community Events: Virtual or physical events, including townhalls and forums, will be organized to share research outputs, providing a platform for community discussion and feedback.
3. Online Platforms: Outputs will be shared on relevant online platforms, including the Cardano forums, social media, and community newsletters, maximizing visibility and engagement.
4. Collaborative Opportunities: Opportunities for collaboration and further research will be actively communicated, encouraging ongoing engagement and participation from the Cardano community.

The success of the project brings value to the Cardano community by equipping it with knowledge, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the global mission of decentralized, inclusive blockchain adoption. The impact will be transparently communicated through various channels, ensuring that the Cardano community is not only informed but actively involved in shaping the future of blockchain in Africa.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Leveraging Catalyst Africa Townhall's Experience for Trust and Accountability

Catalyst Africa Townhall's Track Record:

Building on the nearly two years of operation, bi-weekly meetings, and ongoing projects in six countries, our team comprises Cardano Ambassadors, Enthusiasts, and educators. This established track record demonstrates our commitment, knowledge, and passion for the Cardano ecosystem in Africa.

Our team's diverse background ensures a holistic approach to the research project. With members actively engaged in Cardano projects across Africa, we bring firsthand experience and nuanced insights into the regional blockchain landscape.

Catalyst Africa Townhall ensures seamless integration into the existing Cardano community in Africa. The ongoing project funded by Project Catalyst and our team's active participation in bi-weekly meetings showcase our commitment and alignment with Cardano's goals.

Prior to formalizing the proposal, we will actively seek feedback and insights from the Cardano community, including Catalyst Africa Townhall, to ensure our research approach is aligned with community expectations.

Engaging with the Cardano community in the proposal development phase allows us to validate the feasibility of our research objectives, ensuring they align with the community's priorities and expectations.

Throughout the project, we commit to maintaining an open feedback loop with the community, regularly updating on progress, and actively incorporating insights into our research methodology and approach.

We will provide a detailed budget, transparently outlining all expenses related to the research project, ensuring accountability in fund allocation.

monthly financial reports will be shared with the Cardano community, providing visibility into fund utilization and promoting accountability.

By building on the experience of Catalyst Africa Townhall, engaging with the community throughout the project lifecycle, and implementing robust financial accountability measures, we ensure a high level of trust and accountability in delivering a successful research project for the Cardano community.

[Project Milestones] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Research Framework and Ethics Approval

Description

Develop a comprehensive research framework outlining the methodology, data collection strategies, and ethical considerations. Seek and obtain ethical approval from relevant institutional review boards or ethical committees.

Milestone Output(s)

1. Research Framework Document: A detailed document outlining the research methodology, data collection tools, and ethical guidelines.
2. Ethical Approval: Official documentation of approval from relevant ethical review bodies.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Approval of the research framework by the project team, ensuring alignment with the research objectives.
2. Receipt of official ethical approval from the relevant review boards, validating the ethical soundness of the research.

Milestone 2: Data Collection and Analysis

Description

Execute the research plan, including data collection from diverse sources across the selected regions in Africa. Begin the analysis phase to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Milestone Output(s)

1. Completed Data Collection: Collected data from various stakeholders, including interviews, surveys, and document reviews.
2. Initial Data Analysis: Preliminary analysis highlighting early insights and trends.

Acceptance Criteria

1. Confirmation of successful data collection, ensuring representative and diverse inputs from the selected regions.
2. Presentation of initial data analysis results, demonstrating progress and insights gained from the collected data.

Final Milestone: Research Report and Community Dissemination

Description

Compile the research findings into a comprehensive report. Organize community engagement events to disseminate the research outputs, gather feedback, and promote dialogue.

Milestone Output(s):

1. Final Research Report: A detailed document summarizing the research objectives, methodology, findings, and recommendations.
2. Community Engagement Events: Virtual or physical events for sharing research outputs, receiving feedback, and fostering community discussion.
3. Publication in any academic or open journal
4. completion report and final video

Acceptance Criteria:

1. Approval of the final research report by the project team, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and completeness.
2. Successful execution of community engagement events, evidenced by active participation, valuable feedback, and community interaction.
3. Link to academic journal made available and public
4. 
   

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Answer:

Daniel was the President of FinTech and Blockchain Society at the University of Aberdeen and also Cardano Ambassador. He was a Host for the Cardano Summit 2022. He is currently acting as the Community Manager and Regional Integration for the Catalyst Africa Town Hall.

He is the Co-host at the Catalyst Africa School. Projects Manager for Cardano Peer Education (A Catalyst funded project to educate students about blockchain and how to guide students and bring their innovative ideas to be funded on Idea-scale. 

He was a Community Advisor in Catalyst fund 7 and Catalyst Challenge Team Lead for ‘Scale-UP Cardano’s Community Hubs’ challenge settings for fund 8. Daniel envisioned using Blockchain Technology to bridge the gap between human capabilities and machine learning (AI & IoT) in developing countries.

Role: Community Manager and Regional Integration CATH / Co-Researcher

Telegram: :@ddlezu

Twitter: @ddlezu

Ubio Obu: CEO of RemoStart, A Blockchain Researcher and an AI expert and researcher with 4 years of experience in developing ML models. He has product management experience and has managed products that are in Agriculture, IoT, health, app development, etc. He has experience working with a range of tech stacks and has about 6 research publications in the field of Artificial Intelligence. His wide experience in tech development makes him ideal for the product management position in this solution. Successfully implemented a fund 9 awarded proposal. He will be in charge of coordinating with faculties and mentors for this project. He is a catalyst Facilitator collective member, organized the CIP-1694 Lagos event, and was a moderator at the SingularityNet Deepfunding2 Pitchfest.

linkedin.com/in/ubio-obu-71927276/

github.com/ubiodee

Role: Community Manager - Nigeria / Co-Researcher

Discord: Ubiodee#9502 

Boaz: A graduate in environment and sustainable development. His deep fascination with blockchain technology motivates his enthusiasm to actively participate in the captivating journey of Cardano. Additionally, he contributed as a co-proposer in F8 and F9, fulfilling the role of a NFT project coordinator in F9, and serving as a challenge team member in F10. And he is onboarding youth from Goma City in DR Congo on blockchain in general and Cardano in particular translating content in French. From March 2023 he is working on an analysis document for African stake pools. 

Contacts:

Role: French Community Manager / Data gathering

Twitter: twitter.com/BoazB5475

Discord: Bboaz#5475

Richmond Oppong: Richmond is a graphic designer with over 10 years of experience in a variety of design disciplines, including logo design, print and poster design, business card design, 3D signage, and advertising and marketing. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design from Takoradi Polytechnic in Ghana.

Richmond is a blockchain enthusiast and is actively involved in the Cardano project catalyst community. He was a Community Advisor in Catalyst funds 5 to 9, and a Veteran Community Advisor in funds 8 and 9. He was also a member of the Catalyst Challenge Team for the "Scale-UP Cardano's Community Hubs" challenge in fund 8. He is currently a member of the Catalyst Challenge Team for the "Startups & Onboarding for Students" challenge.

Role: Design and Marketing lead / Publicity

Twitter: @cardanoholious

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Cost Breakdown:

Research Personnel and Consultants: 30,000 ADA

• Researchers and Data Analysts:
• Consultants for Ethical Review and Methodology Validation:

Data Collection and Analysis: 18,000 ADA

• Survey Tools and Software:
• Travel Expenses for On-Site Data Collection:
• Data Analysis Software and Tools:

Community Engagement Events: 16,000 ADA

• Virtual Event Platforms and Hosting:
• Event Promotion and Marketing:
• Speaker Honorariums and Incentives:

Research Outputs and Publications: 11,000

• Research Report Design and Publication:
• Open-Access Publishing Fees:
• Distribution:

Contingency Fund: 4000 ADA

• Unforeseen expenses or adjustments during the research process.

Total requested Funds: 79,000 Ada

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the project represents substantial value for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

1.Informed Decision-Making:

• The research project provides valuable insights into the African blockchain landscape, guiding Cardano in making informed decisions regarding expansion, partnerships, and community engagement.

2.Strategic Alignment:

• By focusing on Cardano as a case study, the research ensures that the findings directly contribute to the strategic alignment and growth of Cardano in Africa, maximizing the impact of the investment.

3.Community Empowerment:

• The project empowers the Cardano community by fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the African blockchain space. This knowledge equips the community to actively contribute to and support Cardano's initiatives in the region.

4.Global Reputation:

• Research findings, published in reputable journals and disseminated through community engagement events, enhance Cardano's global reputation. This contributes to the overall credibility and recognition of Cardano as a thought leader in blockchain technology.

5.Network Expansion:

• The project facilitates the expansion of Cardano's network in Africa by actively engaging with local stakeholders. This not only strengthens existing connections but also opens up opportunities for new collaborations and partnerships.

6.Long-Term Impact:

• The research project's focus on understanding and overcoming barriers to blockchain adoption ensures a long-term impact. By addressing challenges at their roots, Cardano can build sustainable relationships and contribute to the development of a thriving blockchain ecosystem in Africa.

7.Knowledge Transfer:

• The project acts as a conduit for knowledge transfer, bringing insights from the African blockchain landscape back to the broader Cardano community. This two-way knowledge exchange enhances the global understanding of blockchain dynamics.

8.Risk Mitigation:

• Understanding the local context through rigorous research helps Cardano mitigate risks associated with expansion, ensuring that strategies are tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities present in the African regions under consideration.

The cost of the project represents value for money by strategically investing in knowledge acquisition, community empowerment, and global reputation building. The outcomes of the research contribute directly to Cardano's mission, growth, and positive impact in the African blockchain landscape.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund Rules and also that data in the submission form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept