The latest episode of Cointelegraph hacking it out The podcast delves into how blockchain technology is changing the way young Africans interact with each other. Joining host Elisha Owusu Akyaw for the conversation is Eric Annan, CEO of Aya, a platform that uses blockchain technology to provide training and connect Africans to the job market.
Annan, a Web3 entrepreneur, entered the cryptocurrency space after quitting his job at a tech company. He then moved to Nigeria, where his first business failed due to regulatory changes by the Nigerian central bank. He gravitated towards cryptocurrency to escape the traditional financial system, which proved problematic after he fell victim to various scams. Since then, Annan has advocated for cryptocurrencies and the use of blockchain technology on the African continent.
Elisha highlights that the narrative of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies playing an important role in the future of the African continent has become monotonous and has lost some of its meaning. However, Annan explains that blockchain could still play an important role considering the problems Africans face. According to the CEO, the biggest problem that most Africans have to deal with is intercontinental trade. While cryptocurrencies like stablecoins have significantly improved the situation, international platforms like PayPal continue to exclude most Africans.
Annan also draws attention to the education system, which he believes limits opportunities for young people. He explains that he built Aya to counter this by creating a platform that makes it easy for Africans to improve their skills and connect with opportunities. Furthermore, he argues, it would be much better if Africans could access opportunities without having to leave their home countries, something he describes as "brain export", while still being able to contribute to their local economies. "This time it's not about brain drain, it's about brain export." Related: Bitcoin evangelist Joe Hall tells The Agenda why he thinks BTC will conquer the world Listen to the full episode of hacking it out with Eric Annan in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts either Tune in. You can also explore Cointelegraph's full list of informative podcasts on the Cointelegraph Podcast Page.
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