Founders Push Back on Web3 Flash, Push Forward on Real Value
Nairobi — At ETHSafari 2025, one of Africa’s biggest Web3 gatherings, founders, investors, and creators echoed a common theme: the next wave of success won’t come from leading with “Web3”, but with solving tangible challenges—such as remittances, identity, financial inclusion, supply chains, and local trade logistics.
Speakers emphasized that when founders pitch using “Web3” terminology first (blockchain, decentralization, tokens), audiences—especially local investors, customers, and regulators—often feel disconnected or skeptical. Instead, those who lead with problems first, then show how blockchain/Web3 tools help, are being taken more seriously.
What Change Looks Like in Practice
- Customer-first solutions
Founders shared projects where they started by mapping local needs—like cheaper cross-border payments, more reliable identity, and offline wallets—rather than designing flashy Web3 protocols. - Consumer understanding & trust
Many investors said clarity and simplicity matter more than cutting-edge tech. If users can’t understand what the product does or how it helps, trust fails—even if the tech is impressive. - Regulator and investor alignment
Founders observed that local investors/regulators understand “financial inclusion,” “payments,” “identity,” etc., better than the “Web3 native” language. Positioning around real impact helps with compliance, funding, and adoption.
See more related: ETHSafari 2025 in Nairobi Highlights Africa’s Growing Web3 Leadership
Why This Shift Matters in Africa
- Pragmatic context: Many African markets have inconsistent connectivity, regulatory uncertainty, and education gaps. Talk of tokens and “decentralization” without use-cases can feel like speculation.
- Cost of overpromising: Projects that lead with Web3 hype risk burning credibility when promises don’t deliver. Founders want sustainable models—revenues, adoption, trust.
- Innovation through necessity: When core problems are solved—access, savings, identity—the tech (blockchain, smart contracts, etc.) becomes an enabler rather than headline.
What Founders Should Do
- Lead with the problem, not the tech.
- Build MVPs/user stories that clearly show benefit (speed, cost savings, inclusion).
- Ensure regulatory clarity and compliance early—use clear terms that investors/regulators understand.
- Focus on infrastructure elements (wallets, stablecoins, payment rails) that enable others to scale.
Conclusion
“Ditch Web3” isn’t anti-technology—it’s pro-impact. In Africa’s rapidly evolving crypto ecosystem, founders who lead with real, grounded value are finding traction. The eras of buzzwords may fade, but real solutions—built to solve real problems—are where the future lies.
