AFRICA BLOCKCHAIN YOUTH AMBASSADORS
Problem
Development, deployment and adoption of blockchain in Africa continue to encounter challenges such as inadequate skillset, negative public perception, varying level of blockchain literacy.
Solution
ABYA plans to train and equip 1M+ students on blockchain and cryptocurrency by 2027 across accredited universities in Africa, starting with an MVP in Kenya, then scale to the rest of Africa.
Total to date
This is the total amount allocated to AFRICA BLOCKCHAIN YOUTH AMBASSADORS.
[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.
The project begins with a proof of concept in Kenya where the initiative will target membership in 60+ accredited universities. Based on the success of the pilot in Kenya, the template will be replicated to scale up the operations in the rest of the continent drawing from lessons learned.
The project’s overarching objectives include:
- Promote the introduction and institutionalization of blockchain and cryptocurrency development in Africa.
- Provide a platform for youth development and gainful engagement in line with driving the youth agenda for self-leadership and empowerment.
- Enable knowledge transfer through dissemination of a well-developed and rigorous curriculum for university students. This includes the provision of requisite resources critical for blockchain technology and cryptocurrency development.
- Create opportunities from the training dispensed to enhance practical skills in order for the students to:
o Enhance and develop their careers;
o Become blockchain innovators and entrepreneurs;
o Consume blockchain products, including those solutions developed by ABYA partners.
- Drive blockchain education in Kenya through awareness programs, conferences, research, seminars, and training programs on Blockchain technology;
- Engage with regulators, public and private sectors to ensure that the regulatory framework in place does not stifle blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation but instead support Africa’s economic growth;
- Create a platform for universities in Africa to exchange ideas and articulate positions on issues affecting the growth and development of blockchain and cryptocurrency in Africa; and
- Developing a community of developers and users within a structured ecosystem that draw from blockchain and cryptocurrency products and solutions
[IMPACT] Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.
For extensive reach, penetration and greater access, and working with strategic partners, the organization will conceptualize, develop and implement an online based Learning Management System. This is designed to give students the opportunity to enroll in foundational and graduated courses on blockchain and cryptocurrency targeting both technical and non-technical students. Intended learning outcomes will include a deep and broad understanding of the blockchain phenomenon, critical components and blockchain and cryptocurrency initiatives development designed to solve problems or re-engineer processes from as is to go to.
[IMPACT] What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?
Risk
Technical and Operational
Impact
- May hinder the project progress and timelines
- Increase the cost of operation
- The e-LMS software have bugs and not function as envisioned
- Recruit enough technical manpower, both on paid and volunteer basis
- Delegate duties appropriately
- Track milestones regularly and consistently
Mitigation / Resolution Plan
- Recruit enough technical manpower, both on paid and volunteer basis
- Delegate duties appropriately
- Track milestones regularly and consistently
Risk
Reputational
Impact
- May not get enough support to enable the project get sufficient funding
- Resistance from the students
Mitigation / Resolution Plan
- Aggressively undertake community mobilization within the universities and social media
- Organize workshops and trainings on a regular basis
Risk
Legal / Regulatory
Impact
- There may be gaps in the legal framework which may affect the implementation of some aspects of the project and the government may ban the use of cryptocurrencies in the country like what has happened in other African countries like Nigeria
Mitigation / Resolution Plan
- Get legal opinion on all the legal aspects of the project before project implementation
- Keep abreast of the latest news about Blockchain
- Keep regular engagements with all the relevant stakeholders
Risk
Financial
Impact
- Delay in project kickoff due to not being able to raise sufficient resources
- Project failing to meet its key objectives due to inability to meet fundraising targets
Mitigation / Resolution Plan
- Have a fundraising strategy in place
- Have capable personnel in BDM/Fundraising positions
- Collaborate with other organizations that can complement our work, thus cutting on costs
Risk
Resource
Impact
- Wastage, misallocation and misuse
- Beneficiaries lacking tangible impact in their lives
Mitigation / Resolution Plan
- Advocate for efficient use of resources
- Have a feedback loop mechanism and strong measurement, recording and verification framework
Risk
Cultural / behavioral
Impact
- Conflicts among the students community from different campuses and universities emanating from existing misunderstanding
- Resistance to change
- Sabotage
Mitigation / Resolution Plan
- Apply policy of consultation and inclusion
- Robust marketing and public awareness programs in place, making beneficiaries stakeholders of the organization
Risk
Political
Impact
- Delay in project kickoff
- Perceiving the project with suspicion
Mitigation / Resolution Plan
- Avoid making statements or utterances that carry political undertones
- Take non-political and non-partisan position on issues
Risk
Climatic
Impact
- Adverse weather conditions may make it impossible to reach some universities that are situated in remote parts of the countries
Mitigation / Resolution Plan
- Use the latest technologies and applications like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Teams to hold virtual events and meetings
[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed plan, including timeline and key milestones for delivering your proposal.
2022 (June, July & August)
- Completed ABYA University LMS including web application, Android and iOS Apps
- Completed online course modules
- Operational project secretariat
- Set up and launch ABYA chapters in 5 universities (with estimated average membership of 200+ in every university)
- Enroll the first cohort of students in the online courses
2022 (September, October & November)
- Set up ABYA chapters in 15+ universities (with estimated average membership of 200+ in every university)
- The first cohort of students in the online courses graduate and are awarded certificates
- The first cohort of students continue to be mentored after being awarded certificates
[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown.
- Design, development, hosting, security and maintenance of LMS (both web portal and mobile application for both Android and iOS) - for 2 years @ ($11,500.00)
- Design, development and quality assurance of the online training course modules @ ($4,700.00)
- Salaries for secretariat from June to November @ ($34,875.00)
- Setting up and launching of ABYA chapters in 20+ universities @ (20 x $500.00 = $10,000.00)
- Laptops @ (10 x $400.00 = $4,000.00)
- Contingency @ ($2,000.00)
[FEASIBILITY] Please provide details of the people who will work on the project.
- Paul McOlaka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmcolaka/
- Kevin Kihara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kihara/
- Joy Otieno: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-otieno-16a363229/
- Gordon Otieno: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-otieno-50833b1a4
- David Otieno: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dext-548805151
- Agnes Omondi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agneta-omondi-49141722a
- Wayua Musyoka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayua-musyoka-848259132
- Zawadi Mboya: www.linkedin.com/in/zawadi-mboya-09901423b
- Isaac Ler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/songo-onyango-6a802423b/
[FEASIBILITY] If you are funded, will you return to Catalyst in a later round for further funding? Please explain why / why not.
Yes.
The project will run in perpetuity and even though we plan to offer the training modules to non-university students at a fee to increase the sustainability of the project, before that happens we will still need support from Catalyst.
[FEASIBILITY] Are you or any member of your team working on any other proposals in this Fund9?
No[FEASIBILITY] Are you or your team working on any other proposals from previous Funds?
No[AUDITABILITY] Please describe what you will measure to track your project's progress, and how will you measure these?
To track our project's progress, we will track and measure the following:
- Beginner Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Bootcamp - number of students registered and the rate of completion per cohort
- Intermediate Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Bootcamp - number of students registered and the rate of completion per cohort
- Level of engagement of students in the different workstreams - number of PoCs, blogs and articles emanating from the workstreams
- Number of partnerships with NGOs, private and private sectors and academia
- Number of campus meetups, hackathons and social events held per quarter
[AUDITABILITY] What does success for this project look like?
Success to us is not an event, but many different milestones that will come at different stages including the following:
- LMS (Web, iOS and Android) completed and functioning as intended
- Website completed and providing the required information to visitors
- First cohort of students graduating successfully and being awarded certificates
- Our alumni students being responsible for some of the blockchain, cryptocurrency, web3, dApps and DAO unicorns that will emerge from Africa
- 1M+ university students impacted by 2027
[AUDITABILITY] Please provide information on whether this proposal is a continuation of a previously funded project in Catalyst or an entirely new one.
This is entirely a new project that has never been funded in Catalyst
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Rating
SDG goals:
- Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
- Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
SDG subgoals:
- By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
- By 2030, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries
- By 2030, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
- Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries
Key Performance Indicator (KPI):
- Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill
Universal Human Rights Index (UHRI):
- #proposertoolsdg
Team
Paul is currently a Senior Research & Executive Officer with Blockchain & Climate Institute (BCI) and brings a wealth of experience in managing university clubs, as he was the Secretary General of the Kenyatta University Model United Nations in 2007.
