Block Africa
- Grand prize winner: Emmanuel Kufre from Nigeria awarded $15,000 in Bitcoin for his decentralized wallet app, Blink.
- Second-place solution: tbDEX Go, a traveler-focused payment app, won $10,000 in Bitcoin.
- Third-place innovation: Igbigi, a private money transfer app, received $5,000 in Bitcoin.
- Hackathon spotlighted the potential of open-source financial technology to solve Africa’s payment challenges.
- Block’s ongoing commitment to decentralized identity and open-source development emphasized.
Africa’s Financial Innovation on Display
Block, Inc., a global frontrunner in financial technology, has revealed the winners of its highly anticipated TBD Hackathon. Held during the Africa Bitcoin Conference, this event provided a platform for tech innovators to showcase their prowess in addressing Africa’s most pressing financial hurdles. By leveraging open-source tools and decentralized systems, participants explored creative pathways to make payments more accessible, secure, and efficient across the continent.
At the forefront of this competition was Emmanuel Kufre from Nigeria, who developed Blink—a decentralized wallet application catering to freelancers. His groundbreaking work earned him the top prize of $15,000 in Bitcoin, a testament to his innovative approach to solving real-world financial issues in Africa’s burgeoning gig economy.
Transforming Payments Through Innovation
The TBD Hackathon encouraged developers to tackle systemic challenges in Africa’s financial ecosystem. These include limited banking access, high transaction costs, and inefficient cross-border payment systems. By using TBD’s open-source money protocol, tbDEX, within a sandbox environment, participants created novel applications tailored to the unique needs of African users.
Angie Jones, Global Vice President of Developer Relations at Block, lauded the exceptional talent and ingenuity displayed during the event. “The solutions presented not only highlight the technical skill of these developers but also their deep understanding of Africa’s financial challenges. These projects hold immense potential to reshape the way payments are made across the continent,” she said.
Award-Winning Solutions
1. Blink: Decentralized Wallet for Freelancers
Designed by Emmanuel Kufre, Blink emerged as the grand prize winner. The decentralized payment app is tailored to freelancers, enabling them to seamlessly accept payments from clients around the globe. In a continent where traditional banking systems often exclude freelancers and gig workers, Blink offers a lifeline, addressing critical gaps in Africa’s $28 billion gig economy. Currently in beta testing across five countries, Blink impressed judges with its scalability and user-centric approach.
2. tbDEX Go: A Game-Changer for Travelers
Andrew Glago and Eloke Ikiliagwu’s tbDEX Go claimed second place with a $10,000 Bitcoin prize. This innovative solution connects Africa’s financial ecosystem with an app designed specifically for travelers and tourists. By simplifying payment processes for international visitors, tbDEX Go bridges the gap between local financial systems and global users, offering a seamless experience for those navigating cross-border transactions.
3. Igbigi: Private and Instant Money Transfers
Third-place honors and a $5,000 Bitcoin prize went to Achego Tamunobelema and Fabari Agbora for Igbigi. This app prioritizes user privacy while facilitating instant app-to-bank and app-to-app transfers. By offering a secure and efficient alternative to conventional payment systems, Igbigi addresses key concerns around data privacy and transaction efficiency, making it a standout solution for modern financial needs.
Expert Evaluation and Feedback
A distinguished panel of industry experts evaluated the hackathon projects, assessing technical execution, creativity, and potential impact. The judges included:
- Aaron Suplizio – Tech Partnerships, TBD
- Adewale Abati – Staff Developer Advocate, TBD
- Angie Jones – Head of Developer Relations, TBD
- Ari Coleman – Product Manager, TBD
- Chris Maurice – CEO, Yellow Card
- Ebony Louis – Developer Advocate, TBD
- Kirah Sapong – Senior Software Engineer, Square
- Rizèl Scarlett – Staff Developer Advocate, TBD
- Tania Chakraborty – Senior Technical Community Manager, TBD
- Tony Tom – Head of Product, TBD
- Will Wilkinson – Head of Policy, TBD
The judges were impressed by the participants’ ability to harness open-source tools to address Africa’s unique financial challenges. “These developers brought creativity and technical excellence to the table, offering solutions that could have a transformative impact on financial systems in the region,” noted Chris Maurice, CEO of Yellow Card.
Promoting Financial Inclusion and Transparency
Farida Bemba Nabourema, Convener of the Africa Bitcoin Conference, underscored the importance of the hackathon in promoting financial inclusion. “This event demonstrated the wealth of talent and innovation within Africa. The projects presented are not just about solving problems but also about creating opportunities for communities to thrive,” she said.
The hackathon’s emphasis on addressing issues like cross-border payments, transparency, and accessibility aligns with Africa’s broader push toward digital transformation. These innovations could pave the way for a more inclusive financial future, empowering individuals and businesses alike.
Block’s Commitment to Open-Source Development
Through its TBD business line, Block has consistently championed open-source initiatives and developer empowerment. While the TBD division itself has scaled down, its work on decentralized identity continues through collaborations with the Decentralized Identity Foundation. Developers eager to contribute to this mission can explore ongoing projects on Block’s Open Source GitHub organization.
The Role of the Africa Bitcoin Conference
As Africa’s leading event for exploring Bitcoin’s potential, the Africa Bitcoin Conference served as the perfect backdrop for the TBD Hackathon. By bringing together industry leaders, developers, and enthusiasts, the conference fostered a collaborative environment for learning and innovation. It also highlighted the significant role Bitcoin and decentralized technologies can play in solving systemic financial challenges on the continent.
The success of the TBD Hackathon underscores the transformative power of technology in addressing financial inequities. From enabling freelancers to access global markets to simplifying transactions for travelers and enhancing privacy in money transfers, the winning solutions are poised to make a lasting impact.
As Africa continues its journey toward financial inclusion and technological advancement, initiatives like the TBD Hackathon are crucial. They not only highlight the potential of open-source technologies but also inspire a new generation of developers to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges. With platforms like the Africa Bitcoin Conference driving these efforts, the future of payments in Africa looks brighter than ever.
