I. Introduction
XDC Africa, a trading name of Mariva Africa, is seeking funding to establish a blockchain innovation hub in Kenya. This proposal outlines our plan to become a cornerstone of XDC’s presence in Africa and contribute to the network’s global decentralisation efforts.
Mission
Our mission is to foster the growth of the XDC Network across Africa by educating developers, supporting startups, driving adoption of blockchain technology and further decentralising the XDC Network.
Why Kenya 
- Advanced startup ecosystem: Kenya is one of the largest recipient of investor funding in Africa.
- Blockchain Adoption: Kenya is one of the biggest adopters of blockchain technology, ranking fifth globally
- Growing economy: 7th largest economy in Africa
- Good international relations with all countries.
- Progressive regulatory environment: The Capital Markets (Amendment) Act 2023 demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to embracing cryptocurrencies.
- Tech-savvy population: High mobile penetration and familiarity with digital financial services.
- Growing crypto start up community: Kenya has a vibrant start up Ecosystem which has a decent number of blockchain focused companies.
- Strategic location: Nairobi serves as a hub for East Africa, allowing for future expansion.
- Talent pool: Access to a growing pool of developers and entrepreneurs. The developer pool is also well accustomed to working remotely and speak good English as it is the official language of the country.
- Port of Mombasa: One of the biggest trading ports in and out of Africa.
- Payment Integrations: Advanced payments ecosystem such as M-Pesa
II. Applicant Details
About Us 
XDC Africa is led by a team of experienced professionals dedicated to advancing blockchain technology in Africa. Our team combines technical expertise, educational experience, and a deep understanding of the African market to drive XDC adoption and innovation.
Senior Management Team
- Confidence Nyirenda - Managing Director
- Extensive experience in blockchain education and community building
- Host of the AfriCoiner YouTube channel, featuring 10+ videos on XDC
- Worked with XDC Network since inception
- Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Honours) - Certified Project Manager
- Resume Link
- Tanaka Tsikira - Head of Operations
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5 years experience in software development with a focus on business tools.
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4 years work experience in Microfinance banking.
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Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce in Economics & Finance - Bubble Developer
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- Enoch Chirima - Senior Blockchain Developer
- Web3 and Blockchain Software Developer
- Extensive experience as Developer Relations, educator in bootcamps and hackathons and building communities.
- Github
- Resume Link
Time dedication 
The team will be solely dedicated to the development of the XDC Africa hub.
III. Grant Application Details
Grant Category
- Community service (marketing and education)
- Events and hackathons
- Applications and integrations
Project Description
XDC Africa aims to establish a blockchain innovation hub in Nairobi, Kenya, serving as the centre for XDC Network growth across the continent. Our hub will provide:
- Education and training for developers, students, and professionals.
- Incubation and support for startups building on XDC.
- Development services for companies that are interested in applying XDC Based solutions.
- Consulting services for blockchain companies that are interested in setting up operations in Africa.
- A corporate hub where XDC based companies can launch their services into Africa.
- A hub for community engagement and networking.
- Research papers on the state of blockchain technologies in Africa.
- Resources for businesses looking to integrate blockchain solutions.
- A bridge between the XDC Network and African regulators.
Links
Project goals & Aspirations
- Become the primary resource for XDC Network education and development in Africa
- Foster a thriving ecosystem of XDC-based projects and applications
- Drive adoption of XDC technology among businesses, universities and government entities
- Contribute to the decentralisation and global expansion of the XDC Network
- Expand our presence to Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia & Morocco.
- To host 2 XDC nodes in Africa by 2027
The XDC Africa hub has similarities to the XDC EU Hub in Germany:
- Aim to operate the hub for the foreseeable future.
- Just like the EU hub we also focus on, Community service (marketing and education), Events and hackathons, Applications and integrations.
The main difference is that our hub will also:
- Work closely with regulators to encourage blockchain adoption.
- Collaborate closely with universities on blockchain focused educational programs.
- Run XDC nodes based in Africa
How XDC Africa enhances the XDC Network
- Expands XDC’s global footprint into a growing market.
- Provide localised support and resources for African developers, businesses & governments.
- Increases network decentralisation by expanding XDC Network’s presence in Africa.
- Facilitates partnerships with African institutions and regulators.
- Contributes to XDC’s growth as a top global blockchain platform
Community Engagement
We will foster community support through:
- Regular updates on xdc.dev forum
- Active presence on XDC social media channels
- Hosting of local meet-ups and events
- Collaboration with existing XDC community initiatives
- Engaging with African blockchain communities to promote XDC
Milestones & Timelines
Current Project Status - The project is currently in it’s early stage. We have -
1. Conducted XDC meet-ups in Zimbabwe
2. Conducted live tutorials & on building smart contracts on the XDC blockchain. - YouTube
3. Created educational content on the XDC Network:
- We are now looking to establish a permanent hub in one of Africa’s most vibrant tech ecosystem.
Quarterly Goals
Year 1
- Q3 2024:
- Required Funding: $79,062
- Establish XDC Africa office in Nairobi
- Hire & train core team (3 developers, 1 finance manager, 1 business administrator)
- Launch website and social media channels.
- Q4 2024:
- Required Funding: $66,154
- Host first XDC meet-up and official Launch of XDC Africa in Nairobi
- Establish partnerships with 2 local universities
- Hire community & social media manager
- Q1 2025:
- Required Funding: $66,154
- Host a XDC Network seminar for government & business professionals.
- Onboard first business client for consulting services.
- Host first XDC hackathon in Kenya
- Create XDC Youtube content in Swahili language
- Propose Africa-specific XIPs based on local market needs
- Q2 2025:
- Required Funding: $66,154
- Onboard first startup to incubation program.
- Partner with 5 major universities within Kenya.
- Host blockchain conference focused on real-world XDC applications.
- Launch XDC Africa startup accelerator program.
- Publish an annual report on the state of Blockchain technology in Africa
Budget
Request: We are requesting $275,000 or the XDC equivalent to cover the initial 12 months of operations.
Breakdown
The funds will be allocated as follows:
- Team salaries and benefits (6 FTE): $132,600
- Office Fixed Expenses: $32,108
- Marketing and community events: $18,000
- Hackathons and developer support: $20,000
- Industry Events: $24,000
- Operating Costs: $32,880
- Miscellaneous: $15,000
Other funding sources: Non-available.
Liquidation: We will need to liquidate the XDC balance into Kenyan Shillings. The liquidation will happen monthly. The liquidation schedule will follow the budget breakdown. We are open to utilising FXD, UpHold or Kinesis credit card.
Sustainability Plan
XDC Africa will achieve financial sustainability through the following revenue streams:
Main Revenue Streams
- Blockchain consultation & development services.
- Blockchain educational courses & seminars for universities & businesses.
- Talent placement services - Web3 Developers.
- Run a XDC Node
- Africa focused corporate services for companies on the XDC blockchain
Other
- Investments into promising blockchain start-ups
- Annual research papers
We project achieving break-even by Q2 2026.
Legal Status
Mariva Africa is incorporated in Kenya. The recipient of the funds will be Mariva Africa, with Confidence Nyirenda & Tanaka Tsikira as the authorised signatories.
Additional Information
Why this project?
- Africa has the potential of giving birth to more practical real world applications of blockchain technology. A lot of the challenges it faces can be addressed with the technology provided by the XDC network. The market is ripe for a first mover to dominate and become the most popular network for implementing solutions for real world assets.
Why Africa?
- Untapped Market Potential:
Africa leads in cryptocurrency adoption, but broader blockchain applications remain largely unexplored. This creates a unique opportunity for XDC Network to pioneer solutions in key sectors.
- Growing Interest from Global Investors:
The influx of global investment in Africa’s tech sector signals strong confidence in its innovation potential. By establishing a blockchain hub, XDC Network can position itself as a leader in Africa’s emerging blockchain ecosystem.
- Opportunity to Lead in Emerging Markets:
Many African nations are still developing their digital infrastructures, offering the XDC Network a chance to establish itself as the leading blockchain platform in these emerging markets, thereby securing early adoption and a dominant market share.
- High Demand for Transparency and Efficiency:
Africa’s challenges in governance and public administration demand solutions that enhance transparency and efficiency. The XDC Network can address these issues, helping reduce corruption and improve service delivery.
- Cross-Border Trade:
Africa’s significant cross-border trade can benefit greatly from blockchain technology, which reduces costs and speeds up transactions. The XDC Network can provide the necessary infrastructure for seamless, low-cost transactions across the continent.
V. Call to Action
We invite the XDC community to support this initiative to expand XDC’s presence in Africa. Your vote is crucial in making this vision a reality.
Voting will be done on XDCDAO. Please cast your vote if you believe in our mission.
Thank you for your consideration and support in bringing XDC to the forefront of blockchain innovation in Africa.
