NEAR Foundation Sets Up a Regional Hub in Kenya, Boosting Blockchain Innovation in Africa

To trigger talent development, education, and blockchain innovation on African soil, NEAR Foundation, has launched a regional hub in Kenya in collaboration with Sankore, an African-focused blockchain community.

As a Swiss non-profit in charge of the NEAR protocol, the NEAR Foundation sees the hub as a stepping stone towards more blockchain growth in Africa.

Marieke Flament, the CEO of NEAR Foundation, noted:

“We are excited by the potential avenues throughout Africa for blockchain solutions, which come from innovation in development, education and talent. This hub represents a unique opportunity to partner with local talent not only for the opportunities that we know exist today but also for the opportunities yet to be created in the future.”

The hub will consist of an incubation program, events, a Sankore Bounty ecosystem, and an academy. It seeks to bring together Africa’s most talented blockchain developers and support from international investors. 

Kevin Imani, Sankore’s founder, pointed out:

“We are thrilled to be working with NEAR to educate and nurture talented individuals to become world-class blockchain developers.”

With Kenya being ranked fifth in 2021’s Global Crypto Adoption Index, NEAR saw the nation as ideal for setting up the hub.

Imani added:

“Our dream is to lead the way in blockchain innovations in providing solutions to Africa’s biggest problems. The NEAR Protocol allows tomorrow’s brightest developers to build custom solutions with scalability, security, and transparency and this hub is the next step in turning our shared vision into reality.”

The African continent continues to gain more limelight in the crypto/blockchain space. 

For instance, leading crypto exchange Binance is bridging the financial Gap in Francophone Africa by offering blockchain education, Blockchain.News reported. 

Image source: Shutterstock