How to be a blockchain developer in Africa

Blockchain technology has been touted as the technology that will usher in the next era of technological innovations. It is therefore logical that developers in Africa who want to remain in demand wonder how to become a blockchain developer in Africa.

According to a 2022 survey by SlashData, an analyst company that tracks global software development trends, developers’ learning rate and interest in blockchain technologies has increased more than in any other technology.

Despite the crypto crash, developers have a growing interest in blockchain because there is more to blockchain than crypto. Blockchain could play a huge role in how the world handles data in the future, which is why global spending on blockchain is projected to reach $19 billion by 2024 from $6.6 billion in 2021.

How can Africans tap into this growing sector? To find out, Techpoint Africa spoke to Yusuf Kehinde Hussein, a Nigerian Blockchain Solutions Engineer at Polygon — the third largest blockchain company in the world, valued at $20 billion. He shared details about how he got the job, what it means to be a blockchain developer, and how to skill up as a developer.

For clarity, the blockchain space is sometimes called the Web3 space. Although they are not the same, all Web3 platforms are built on the foundation of blockchain.

How to be a blockchain developer in Africa

“The best way to break into the blockchain space as a developer is through Web2.” These were the words of Hussein, a Blockchain Solutions Engineer at Polygon.

Web2 can be referred to as the current technology dispensation that does nothing with blockchain. This article explains the difference between Web1, Web2 and Web3.

Hussein entered the Web3 area through Web2. He had been a Web2 developer for two and a half years before deciding to venture into the Web3 space in late 2021.

According to Hussein, it is easier to enter the blockchain space as a regular developer because the difference in the skills needed to succeed in both areas is in some cases not that much.

“If you’re a front-end developer, developer, product manager, or even a product designer in the Web2 space, you still need the same skills and tools in the Web3 space. The only difference is your audience and how you present products to them. »

However, he admits that it’s not always the same for all roles, especially backend developers who now have to work with smart contracts and learn new languages ​​like Solidity, which you won’t find in the Web2 space.

For front-end developers, the changes are not as significant.

“The same interface you write in Web2 is usually the same one you will write in Web3.”

Learning blockchain as a developer

One of the best ways to learn blockchain as a developer, designer, writer, or enthusiast is through communities. It was not surprising when Hussein said this because most blockchain projects or platforms are usually community oriented.

Hussein suggested developer DAO as one of the best communities to gain insight and resources as a developer.

Other communities to join our CryptoZombies, buildspace and LearnWeb3. In Nigeria, some communities like Web3bridge also offer resources and hands-on classes on how to be a blockchain developer.

If you’re like Hussein and you’re not a big fan of classes and courses, he recommends learning through articles and just searching for answers on Google. And that’s what he does by taking on personal projects and finding solutions in online articles when he hits a snag.

Join Web3 hackathons

Hussein’s foray into the blockchain space was through a hackathon – Web3con by developer DAO – and he believes it’s one of the best ways to learn how to be a blockchain developer in Africa.

“It’s a beautiful experience because you get to meet a lot of people. I know many people in my team who have just started their Web3 career and are now working with well-known companies.

“Hackathons give you direct access to brilliant people at the biggest blockchain companies. Learning from such people as a beginner and making money at the same time is invaluable.”

Interestingly, one of the largest global Web3 hackathons, Polygon BUIDL IT, with $500,000 in prizes up for grabs, has ongoing registrations.

“Some people have gotten jobs from hackathons like this,” Hussein said. For example, interacting with people at Polygon through these hackathons is an excellent way to show your interest and passion for the space, which may lead to them taking a chance on you.

Other benefits of joining hackathons like Polygon’s BUIDL IT are educational workshops, NFT drops and investment opportunities.

Techpoint Africa Blockchain Summit Hackathon (TABS Web3 Hackathon) is another way to learn about Web3 and make money. The format allows participants to learn about building in Web3 and running a Web3 business.

How to secure a job in blockchain

To secure jobs in the blockchain space, you need to be part of the blockchain community. Community is a large part of learning and securing jobs. But more important than being in a community is being an active member.

“Referrals are some of the best ways to get a job anywhere. If you’re in blockchain communities where people are aware of your expertise, you can get a job without applying.”

Building publicly is another tip Hussein has for anyone who wants to secure a job in the Web3 area. He said it’s good to build quietly, but keeping the space informed about your work can increase your chances of landing that dream job with Web3.

While Hussein isn’t the type to constantly create Twitter threads or motivational posts on LinkedIn, he makes the most of the communities he’s in.

“I am a member of Virtual Coffee, developer DAO and other groups. Within these groups and communities, I let people know what I do, what I’m capable of and my work status.”

Do blockchain developers earn more than Web2 developers?

According to Hussein, when most people ask how to be a blockchain developer, it comes from the belief that blockchain developers earn significantly more, but Hussein claimed that could not be further from the truth.

“When it comes to salary in the Web2 and Web3 areas, there is no difference. It depends on you, your skills and your negotiation skills. I have seen people in the Web2 area who earn significantly more than people in the Web3 area.”

According to ICOHOLDER, the average salary of a blockchain developer in the United States is $99,197 annually, while the average salary of a Web2 developer in the same location is $110,140.

However, Luka Horvat told The Globe and Mail in 2018 that developers in the space tend to have higher salaries due to the nascent nature of blockchain technology.

While four years is a long time in technology, and pay structures could have changed significantly, blockchain isn’t exactly mainstream yet.

According to the Center for Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship Blockchain Job Report 2022, 32,500 people are employed in the 56 largest blockchain companies globally. A software company in the Web2 space, such as Adobe, has 25,000 employees, 76% of the blockchain employees of all the largest blockchain companies in the world.

Following Hussein’s attitude that a developer’s salary depends on how good they are is essential to learning and growing in the area.