Why Web3 is the career path Africa didn't see coming
Web3 is no longer a fringe concept; it's fast becoming one of the most exciting career opportunities for young Africans. One that accommodates everyone, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional. No one has missed the boat; it's never too late to start.
A generation rewriting the rules
Across the continent, young people are becoming increasingly mobile-first, digitally savvy, and actively seeking alternatives to traditional career paths, many of which are oversaturated and struggling to absorb a growing workforce. With South Africa's youth unemployment rate at 44.6% in Q4 2024 (Statistics SA), the search for new opportunities is urgent.
Web3 offers a compelling alternative: a borderless, decentralised ecosystem where postcodes matter less than skill sets and ambition.
As part of our commitment to empowering South African youth through education and community engagement, Binance proudly sponsors The Inside Show, a platform dedicated to amplifying youth perspectives on digital innovation.
'Young South Africans aren't just learning about Web3, they're living it. From creating NFT art to hosting crypto conversations online, we're seeing a surge in digital confidence and curiosity. For many, it's not just a career shift, it's a mindset shift,' says George Avakian, Founder and Host of the podcast at The Inside Show, a platform dedicated to amplifying youth perspectives and spotlighting new digital frontiers.
At Binance, we're witnessing this transformation firsthand. From smart contract developers to NFT artists and community managers, young Africans are staking their claim in a digital economy that rewards creativity, agility and openness.
Real career paths in Web3
What makes Web3 different is its breadth. You don't have to be a developer to thrive. Career paths include:
Content creators and educators demystifying blockchain for new audiences
Project managers and community leads are building trust across decentralised communities
Designers and product thinkers shaping crypto user experiences
Policy specialists and legal minds guiding responsible innovation across African markets
And demand is growing. In our 2022 education initiative, we received over 80,000 applications worldwide from individuals eager to learn about Web3, a powerful signal of Africa's appetite for blockchain knowledge and readiness to work in this space.
Education is the gateway
But opportunity means little without access. That's why Binance is committed to making Web3 education accessible, practical, and locally relevant. Through Binance Academy, campus initiatives, and partnerships with African universities and youth networks, we're building pathways into the space, no coding background required.
Recently, Binance partnered with AltSchool Africa, a platform reimagining education for the modern workforce, to offer structured Web3 training tailored to young Africans seeking digital skills. This collaboration brings together Binance's blockchain expertise with AltSchool's learner-first approach, offering accessible courses that blend theory with real-world application.
We believe blockchain literacy is a 21st-century skill, just like financial literacy or digital security. And we're working to ensure that young Africans aren't just users of crypto, but the creators and builders of the next wave of innovation.
The future is already here
Young Africans are no longer waiting for an invitation to participate; they are building their platforms and creating opportunities for others to join. They are using Web3 not only for personal advancement but also to foster community empowerment and economic inclusion. A platform like Momint demonstrates how blockchain can be used to help creators and institutions monetise content and fund meaningful initiatives from preserving cultural heritage to supporting clean energy projects, showcasing the potential of African Web3 innovation to deliver real-world impact at scale.
A new generation is redefining success and unlocking opportunities that didn't exist a decade ago, not through legacy systems, but by building the future of work block by block in Web3. DM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
6 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Ringing Bellville's changes — how this pan-African hub is returning to its former glory
The Greater Tygerberg Partnership is delivering results in Bellville and and addressing long-term decay by working with property owners, small businesses and civil society. Warren Hewitt, chief executive of the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, and I meet in Marshalltown in the Jozi inner city, of all places. The partnership is a collaboration between businesses and the City of Cape Town that has spruced up the Bellville CBD, about 20km north of Cape Town, and Hewitt is in town for a series of meetings. He's fresh from talks with Jozi My Jozi, a similar urban revitalisation initiative, to discuss innovative waste management solutions. We take a brisk walk through Marshalltown, down the pedestrianised Main Street to Gandhi Square, City Hall, Library Gardens, the Rand Club and back to 44 Main. It's fascinating to walk with Hewitt because his eyes are sensitively attuned to urban renewal indicators. He notices the clever use of water reticulation in a sidewalk garden, new CCTV cameras, a heritage plaque here, a missing drain cover there. He's impressed by the cleanliness of Marshalltown, how secure and safe it feels. Compared with the Jozi inner city, Bellville is significantly bigger. It's a huge pan-African hub, Cape Town's busiest transport interchange where 300,000 daily commuters use buses, taxis and trains. It hosts multinational company headquarters, well-established medical and educational centres and people living in a mixture of houses, apartments and housing estates. Unlike the Jozi CBD, Bellville never entirely collapsed, but it underwent a slow decay from the 1980s. It became a secondary city with an increase in congestion, urban slums, homelessness and illegal trading – a familiar South African narrative. Responding to the decline, the Greater Tygerberg Partnership was formed in 2012. 'We started to implement the broken window theory: fixing the small things will lead to fixing the bigger things. If you walk in Bellville these days, you'll see the results of these efforts. 'Our sidewalks have been repaired, there are huge murals and mosaic artworks decorating the area, there are urban gardens, art walks and general beautification of public spaces. And there's been a 43.4% increase in business activities since 2017,' says Hewitt. There are different pillars to the work the partnership does as urban specialists, ranging from waste management, gardening and mural projects, to creating job opportunities through waste management initiatives and enabling investment opportunities. Bellville has a huge informal trading corridor, says Hewitt, and the Greater Tygerberg Partnership is actively involved in supporting the traders. 'The main area of trading is along Kruskal Avenue near the Bellville train station, where the partnership installed a R450,000 ablution block. 'We asked local design students to submit proposals and chose the best one. Traders pay R2 per use and it's made a huge difference to their dignity.' With money from the City of Cape Town, the partnership started the 'better. bellville. together.' place-making initiative to clean up Bellville. 'We had to first understand the journey of waste – both organic waste and landfill waste – and then work out how to recycle it in sustainable ways.' Now, through its Zero Waste buy-back centre and waste pickers programme, the amount of waste the city must manage has been halved. The Zero Waste programme involved businesses, schools and communities to take more active responsibility for their waste practices. 'It's a whole-community approach,' says Hewitt, 'with a variety of projects whose intended outcome is a zero-waste future. We work with local schools to educate on waste management, we partner with informal traders and we collect over 23 tonnes of organic waste monthly. 'We also have a Track My Trash programme, where residents can use a custom-designed app to track how much waste they recycle each week.' The Greater Tygerberg Partnership also has a waste collection trolley project that matches local businesses with informal waste pickers, who are allocated trolleys to transport businesses' recyclable waste, enabling them to earn an income. The key to urban management is partnership-based local development, says Hewitt. 'We work with property owners, small businesses, civil society and culturally diverse communities. We also collaborate with the City and city improvement districts.' Working in the public space is interminably fascinating, says Hewitt, and sometimes a little frustrating. He wants less posturing, less red tape and more businesses to get involved. But for him the ultimate reward is when people feel a sense of belonging in the community and their pride of place is restored. DM
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
How South Africa's fruit industry plans to deal with US trade tariffs
Earlier this month The South African reported on how American president Donald Trump, who had previously backed South African farmers, is now imposing tariffs that will affect their livelihoods. A 30% tariff on key exports, including citrus, wine, sugar cane, and beef, will take effect on 1 August. This will all but end the duty-free access South Africa enjoyed under the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). While citrus exports may avoid major disruption this season, sectors like table grapes and stonefruit are facing a more immediate challenge. With their peak export seasons fast approaching, producers need to act swiftly to mitigate potential losses. South African fruit growers are hoping that late US talks might ease the trade tensions. In the meantime, exporters are being urged to diversify. 'We have to do everything we can to retain our position in the UK and Europe,' said Alwyn Dippenaar, Chairman of the South African Table Grape Industry. According to Fruitnet , markets in Asia and the Middle East are now also high on the radar. Despite recent difficulties in China for South African grape growers, renewed trade cooperation could offer a lifeline. China's move to expand free trade to 53 African countries, including South Africa, may provide much-needed relief and improved competitiveness for local fruit exporters. India, another key market, is also in focus. As such, a senior Indian delegation is expected to visit South Africa soon to fast-track a potential trade agreement. High import tariffs in India have so far hindered some product categories. In response, the local industry is rolling out awareness campaigns for South African apples, pears, citrus, and avocados in the sub-continent. A new campaign led by South African citrus growers meanwhile aims to reposition grapefruit as a vibrant summer fruit in Europe. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Moneyweb launches G20-focused podcast hosted by Jeremy Maggs
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit for the first time on African soil, Moneyweb announced the launch of its new podcast: Mandates and Megaphones, hosted by veteran broadcaster Jeremy Maggs. Launching on Monday, 21 July 2025, this weekly series will track the political, economic, and diplomatic developments leading up to the November summit in Johannesburg – a milestone moment for Africa and the global economy. Each Monday, a new episode will unpack the major themes shaping the G20 agenda – from debt, diplomacy and climate justice to global trade tensions, digital transformation, infrastructure gaps, and Africa's voice at the table. With sharp editorial analysis, high-profile guests, and behind-the-scenes insights, Mandates and Megaphones promises to be essential listening for business leaders, policymakers, and anyone seeking to understand how the G20 influences global economic direction – and what it means for South Africa. The man behind the mic Jeremy Maggs is one of South Africa's most respected media professionals, with over four decades of experience across television, radio, and print. He currently hosts Moneyweb@Midday and Hot Business on Hot 102.7. Maggs has held senior editorial roles at eNCA and Radio 702's Eyewitness News. He is also the author of the bestseller Win!, co-author of A Century Ignited, and founder of a respected media training consultancy. Pan Macmillan published his memoir, My Final Answer, in 2021. His radio show, The Power Update on Power 98.7, was awarded Best Current Affairs Programme at the 2017 Liberty Radio Awards. He was inducted into the SA Radio Hall of Fame the same year. 'The G20 is more than just a diplomatic gathering – it's a battleground of mandates, influence, and priorities,' says Maggs. 'This podcast is about helping South Africans make sense of how those decisions affect our economy and our future.' A platform for strategic dialogue Ryk van Niekerk, editor of Moneyweb, adds: 'Mandates and Megaphones will be the premier South African podcast covering the G20 – incisive, authoritative, and essential listening for policymakers, industry leaders and global observers.' With South Africa stepping onto the world stage as G20 host, this podcast is more than just a media product – it's a space for meaningful dialogue. With Jeremy Maggs at the helm, Mandates and Megaphones will resonate in boardrooms, media briefings, and diplomatic circles alike. The podcast is brought to you by Standard Bank Group, the lead sponsor of the B20, the official business dialogue forum of the G20. The series will explore both public and private sector perspectives on Africa's evolving economic role. Release schedule The first episode will air on Monday, 21 July. New episodes will be released every Monday until the summit concludes in late November. Follow Mandates and Megaphones wherever you get your podcasts, or download the Moneyweb app to stay informed – anytime, anywhere. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
