Carine Dikambi, a key executive of Binance, discusses the advantages of blockchain technology and the necessity for its adoption and use in various industries. The extracts are presented by Emma Okonji:
What is the BCAT2022 campaign about, and what issues is it trying to tackle?
The BCAT 2022 blockchain and cryptocurrency awareness tour aims to promote blockchain adoption and raise awareness through offline interactions and encounters that showcase the effect, use cases, and education of the technology. In a time when more Africans are looking for alternative payment methods and information on digital assets, we believe it’s critical to give young people the right resources and supportive networks they need to succeed. This is the rationale behind Binance’s decision to support the 2022 BCAT tour.
Who is the BCAT2022 campaign’s target demographic, and when will it have reached every region of the nation after beginning in Enugu in June?
With this tour, we hope to reach both crypto enthusiasts and newcomers, some of whom have only heard of crypto but are interested in learning more. We also warmly welcome seasoned crypto professionals and operators who are eager to grow their network of blockchain experts who are driven by missions. The value of community cannot be overstated in our industry. The following tour stops are probably going to be in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Cameroon. We will undoubtedly have a few more in Nigeria, namely in the cities of Lagos and Abuja.
Nigeria has a large population of youths with an innate potential to drive digital transformation. How do you intend to unlock such potential in today’s digital era?
At Binance, we think that in the current digital world, innovation, education, and community are effective approaches to unleash this potential. For this reason, we continually make investments in people, ideas, projects, infrastructure, and education to create an environment that fosters the development of innate potential. We are building a robust blockchain community in Africa for this reason as well. When a group of talented enthusiasts collaborate, there is a fantastic possibility to create applications that change the world.
Emerging technologies are revolutionizing services on a global scale, and Nigeria and all of Africa cannot afford to be an exception. We also understand that resources are crucial for realizing this promise, therefore through Binance Charity, our philanthropic arm, we make investments in the continent.
Sometime last year, we also launched a $ 1 million fund for developers to aid building within the ecosystem.
How can you enable Nigerian youngsters to benefit from the potential that blockchain technology offers as a major blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider?
Through educational and career-focused programs, African kids as a whole are given the means to learn, grow, and scale. These young people are given the tools they need through education and training to become or stay employable on a global scale.
This has been greatly helped by our educational programs. In order to educate Africans on the basics of cryptocurrency, Binance launched the Binance Masterclass programs across the continent in 2020. Everyone is welcome to participate in the lessons for no cost. Over 540,000 Africans have already benefited from the masterclasses’ educational assistance, helping to build the educational foundation that Africa needs to be financially independent and well-informed.
Binance not only educates cryptocurrency users but also gives blockchain developers the tools they need to create solutions. For instance, we organized an eight-week masterclass where 1000 African blockchain engineers received essential skills training. Additionally, the participants took part in a live demonstration of recently developed blockchain-based goods.
What other cutting-edge technologies, besides blockchain, could you possibly implement to encourage youth job and wealth development in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, where work prospects are plentiful, I’ve noticed that more young people are learning tech skills so they can compete on the world talent market. Since Binance is a blockchain ecosystem, we concentrate on applications, infrastructure, and expertise within the sector.
Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (through chatbots and virtual assistants, for example), Virtual Reality, and Cybersecurity Technologies, however, also have a wide range of uses in the industry and are being used in a variety of ways to increase young people’s ability to create wealth.
To reduce its reliance on oil, the Nigerian government is trying to diversify the country’s economy. With your dedication to and faith in technology, how can Binance help to diversify the economy?
Binance is dedicated to making both direct and indirect contributions to global economies. We are committed to promoting blockchain education and infrastructure because of this.
As the largest crypto instructors on the continent, we have observed how widespread use and education have enabled people to make a career in the sector through employment, blockchain development, crypto trading, and many other avenues. Binance is always prepared to contribute to and assist in any way during discussions with lawmakers.
Cryptocurrency is one area that the Nigerian government frowns at because of the challenges in regulating it, yet several Nigerians and people worldwide are quietly benefiting from it. What is your take on this?
Crypto is still relatively nascent and so regulators across the world have been trying to understand the technology. However, there has been some progress in that regard. For example, the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Nigeria recently published a set of regulations for digital assets while in Uganda the Central Bank has recently invited crypto firms to participate in a regulatory sandbox.
I think the SEC working on regulations is a step in the right direction as it shows it is forward-thinking. Regulations go a long way towards building trust with consumers and institutions interested in the space.
We also welcome regulation as regulators share the same mission with us, protecting consumers while encouraging innovation as crypto users deserve safe access to emerging technologies and practices.
