Everything that involves the transfer of money from one place to another may become obsolete at some point in the future as the world moves toward a digital economy.
In the financial world, this digital currency is changing the narrative, and those with standout personalities aren’t being left behind. Blockchain handles the majority of the work for other currencies, such as the US dollar.
Bitcoin and other digital currencies have been around for a long time and are still being developed today. A long time has passed since the advent of digital currencies. DigiCash was an early attempt at digital money in the 1990s.
In 2009, when Bitcoin was introduced, the first crypto was created. Since then, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of new cryptocurrencies.
There are currently more than 10,000 different cryptocurrencies in existence, with an estimated value of $1.7 trillion, according to a recent study. In terms of market capitalization, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), Binance Coin (BNB), and Dogecoin (DOGE) are some of the most popular cryptocurrencies.
Crypto has arrived, as evidenced by a large number of businesses and economic experts who are seriously considering it now. As a result of their efforts, these people are spreading the word and even educating others on how to do the same.
Social media is a popular platform for cryptocurrency influencers to voice their opinions. Using social media, they were able to convey a more complete picture of the blockchain industry’s value to the public.
A “Crypto influencer” can be defined as anyone who has even a modicum of knowledge about crypto. So, in this article, we will be taking a look at some top crypto influencers in Africa.
Top Crypto Influencers In Africa
- John Wainaina Karanja
- Itireleng Alakanani
- Michael Kimani
- Olayinka Odeniran
- Paul Ezeafulukwe
- Chimezie Chuta
- Sonya Kuhnel
- Vinny Lingham
- Monica Singer
- Faith Obafemi
1. John Wainaina Karanja
John Wainaina Karanja is the CEO. and Co-Founder of Melanin Solar, a company that works on a revolutionary distributed energy system. He is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
BitHub Africa, a subsidiary of Melanin Solar, is promoting the use of cryptocurrency in Africa.
In 2011, John won the Pivot 25 Mobile Technology competition as a director of Space Kenya Networks Limited.
Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum are not a panacea for Africa’s economic woes, but rather a means of reducing the cost of value transmission across our borders. As a result, open innovation can take place.
Bitcoin and Blockchain solutions for incumbents should be expected to grow in Africa as mobile technology becomes more widely available.
2. Itireleng Alakanani
Often referred to as “The Bitcoin Lady,” Alakanani has an enormous impact on the African cryptocurrency market. Inspired by an ugly life event, she discovered Bitcoin as a way to receive donations from abroad.
Because of this, Alakanani’s journey began and she became one of the country’s first advocates of bitcoin.
As a qualified instructor, she has adapted her teaching skills from traditional subjects to cryptocurrency.
Gaborone-based Satoshicentre is a blockchain hub where she collaborates with engineers to spread the word about bitcoin and blockchain technology, as well as help Africans deal with the challenges they face daily.
3. Michael Kimani
Michael is an African entrepreneur. Besides being Africa’s top crypto and blockchain operator, Michael is also an accomplished writer with over 5 million followers on social media.
While working on projects such as sizing markets and troubleshooting, Irwin has collaborated with African governments, Fintech, and cryptocurrency companies. He has also worked with four innovation labs and three venture capital firms.
More than 200,000 people in seven African countries now have access to these 14 products. Michael is available at any time to provide training and consultation to business leaders interested in entering the African crypto and blockchain market.
4. Olayinka Odeniran
One of Africa’s top blockchain influencers, Olayinka is a highly regarded financial services risk management expert and well-known attorney around the world who specializes in blockchain, crypto, and new technologies.
Throughout her 15-year career, she has helped a variety of financial institutions comply with various national and international regulations.
For financial institutions and the blockchain ecosystem, Olayinka has a master’s degree in cybersecurity management and policy.
Currently, she is combining her interests in blockchain, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance to provide consulting services to financial institutions.
Olayinka is a co-founder of the Black Women Blockchain Council, which aims to increase the number of young women and black women interested in blockchain, fintech, and other new technologies.
For major international web publications, she’s also a talented digital content writer who’s produced several thought-provoking and instructive articles. Olayinka is also a well-known speaker at blockchain conferences.
5. Paul Ezeafulukwe
In today’s Nigerian crypto debate, Paul Ezeafulukwe is at the fore. Saban’s current CEO is Paul (Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria).
It’s his goal to expose any Bitcoin scams perpetrated against investors in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
Anyone interested in learning more about cryptocurrencies can find reviews, articles, and other useful content from him on a variety of platforms.
6. Chimezie Chuta
Chimezie Chuta is the founder and coordinator for the Blockchain Nigeria User Group and a member of the Kinesis Money Cayman advisory board.
At Blockspace Africa Technologies, he is the Africa Lead for Technology and Innovation and the Chief Executive Officer of Techbuild Innovation Partners as well as Lagos Drupal Varsity, he is the Chairman of the Organization of Blockchain Technology Users (OBTU).
“The Building Blocks of Blockchain StartUP Entrepreneurs” and “Seizing Opportunities in the Blockchain & Digital Currency Revolution” are two of his many publications.
The community organizer he works with is involved in several industry-government programs aimed at promoting technological advancement.
7. Sonya Kuhnel
Sonya Kuhnel has made a significant contribution to the country’s crypto tech industry in South Africa. The Blockchain Africa Conference was co-founded by her.
As of late 2013, Sonya Kuhnel was one of the first women in South Africa to get involved with cryptocurrencies.
She founded a Bitcoin payment which is an affiliate partner of BitPay, that enables South African online retailers to accept itcoin.
So, Sonya founded Blockchain Academy and Blockchain Events, which she currently manages, because she saw the need for more education on blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
8. Vinny Lingham
A well-known businessman in South Africa, Vinny Lingham is also a Shark on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank. He is an active investor in Bitcoin and Blockchain start-ups. He’s known as “the Bitcoin Oracle.”
With Vinny’s move to California ten years ago, he is now the co-founder and CEO of Civic Technologies, Inc.
Co-founder of mobile gift card business Gyft, which was funded by Google Ventures and launched in 2012, joined Civic in 2016. Global payments behemoth First Data Corporation acquired Gyft in 2014 for more than $50 million after it rose to industry prominence quickly.
9. Monica Singer
Monica, a seasoned financial industry executive, ushered in a major shift in the industry. An international startup company that builds distributed apps on the Ethereum global computer using blockchain technology, Consensys, hired her as a South Africa Lead in 2017.
Monica has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Accounting Blockchain Coalition, which sets auditing, accounting, and taxation rules for crypto assets.
10. Faith Obafemi
Faith Obafemi is a lawyer specializing in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. Assisting projects through the minefield of crypto-regulations and compliance, Faith brings her five years of legal experience to the table.
She can do this because of her work with Future-Proof Intelligence, her company (FINT). The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Payment System Vision 2030 includes a Blockchain and D.L.T. section, and she and her team have submitted guidelines to that section.
On the Ethereum blockchain, as an aspiring legal engineer/technologist, she automates legal documents by integrating smart contracts.
As a Research Fellow at the African Academic Network on Internet Policy (AANOIP), Faith investigates blockchain and legal issues in depth. Additionally, Faith has written numerous educational and entertaining articles for some of the most popular online publications in the world.
Conclusion
Above all, it is clear that the best way to take advantage of opportunities is to align with and utilize the most recent civilization. As time goes on, cryptocurrency will continue to open up new possibilities for people and businesses all over the world.
