Quick Fire 🔥 with Sarah Idahosa

In a modest, high-ceilinged apartment nestled in the heart of Lagos, a woman with an infectious smile and a fierce determination has been quietly shaping the future of Africa's digital economy. Sarah Idahosa, the founder of Women In DeFi, has dedicated herself to making blockchain and decentralised finance (DeFi) accessible to women and newcomers, a mission that has taken her to the pinnacle of Africa's Web3 scene. As we sat down for a quick fire session, Idahosa's enthusiasm was palpable, her words painting a picture of a world where technology serves as a tool for empowerment, not just a means of accumulating wealth.

Idahosa's journey into Web3 was not your typical story of someone drawn in by the promise of quick riches. Rather, it was a tale of survival and adaptation during a time when the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. In a desperate attempt to earn some cash, Idahosa stumbled upon an affiliate marketing platform that would set her on a path of discovery. "I got into the space through an affiliate marketing platform someone had told me about," she recalls vividly. "It was a means to earn Ethereum; I didn’t exactly know what it was, but I just wanted to earn some cash during the pandemic." From there, Idahosa's curiosity got the better of her, and she delved headfirst into the world of Web3. The community spirit and the sense of innovation that pervaded the space captivated her, and she never looked back.

As a seasoned Web3 enthusiast, Idahosa has faced her fair share of skeptics. People who view Web3 as nothing more than a get-rich-quick scheme, a notion that has led to countless disappointments and financial losses. Idahosa acknowledges the legitimacy of these concerns, but she's not deterred. Instead, she's developed a unique approach to selling Web3, one that focuses on the solutions being built with the technology, rather than the technology itself. "I don’t even bother leading with technological jargon," she reveals. "Instead, I focus on the solutions being built with the technology, tailoring the conversation to whoever I’m speaking to."

As Idahosa navigates the complex landscape of Web3 in Africa, she's encountered numerous misconceptions. One of the most prevalent, she says, is the notion that Africa is too far behind to participate actively in Web3. "Africa is not too far behind to participate actively because we are just consumers," she counters. "In fact, Africa has always been a hub for innovation, and Web3 is no exception." Another misconception, Idahosa says, is the idea that Web3 is only for people who are tech-savvy. "Web3 is not just for techies," she emphasizes. "It's a platform that can be harnessed by anyone, regardless of their technical expertise."

As our conversation drew to a close, it was clear that Idahosa's passion for Web3 was not just a fleeting fad, but a long-term commitment to shaping a more equitable digital economy. For Idahosa, the future of Web3 in Africa is not just about building new roads, but about empowering women and newcomers to take control of their digital destinies. As she put it, "I teach young girls so they are also able to use and build roads like that for themselves, so they are not left out."

• Sarah Idahosa is the founder of Women In DeFi, a pan-African non-profit that has reached over 8,000 women through blockchain education and DeFi.
• Idahosa serves as Africa Partnerships and Sales Lead at MANSA, a stablecoin liquidity provider backed by Tether.
• She's a Web3 educator and speaker who has worked with Cassava Network, Myth of Money, Africa Tech Summit, and Mara.

As I watched Sarah Idahosa walk out of the apartment, her infectious smile lingering in my mind, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope for the future of Web3 in Africa. Here is a woman who embodies the spirit of innovation, who sees the world not as a series of obstacles, but as opportunities waiting to be seized. As I reflect on our conversation, I am reminded of the power of people like Idahosa, who are shaping the world around them, one block at a time. The future of Web3 in Africa is in safe hands, and I have no doubt that Idahosa will be at the forefront of this revolution, empowering women and newcomers to take control of their digital destinies.