African Talent and the Inevitable Pivot Into Web 3.0 - AfriBlocks

Web 3.0 and the subsequent applications are at the center of conversations in the tech industry. As tech players move from Web 2.0 and adjust to the growing demands of Web 3.0, there are a lot of changes that are coming in the job market. Africa, being the youngest continent in the world, is in a strong position to play a critical role in the Web 3.0 space. 

There are a variety of characteristics that define the Web 3.0 space. The key markers are blockchain technology, decentralized applications, and a token-centric digital economy. These three properties are seen as the hallmarks of the Web 3.0 digital space as they are the distinct separation between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0. 

Web 3 talent

The evolution of the digital space as we know it has subsequently come with changes as far as the skills required from human resources in the sector go. While some of the basics remain the same, talent in the Web 3 space faces some significant changes. It is estimated that millions of roles will go unfilled by 2030 due to a shortage of skilled individuals. African professionals can take advantage of this by learning the skills that are required to fill these roles. The gig economy allows them to work with organizations from all corners of the world.

These are some of the jobs that are in the Web 3.0 space: 

• Blockchain developer – blockchain technology is the primary tool in the decentralization of digital spaces. These developers are required to build applications on existing blockchains, maintain these applications and improve the appeal of blockchain-based applications through user-centric designs. There are courses that developers can take to pivot into becoming blockchain developers. 

• Technical product manager – product management is a role that has been around for decades. Evolving from this position, Web 3.0 needs product management demands more technical skills from individuals qualified in this role. A technical product manager focuses more on developing solutions for products and implementing these solutions. This is slightly different from a product manager who leans more towards the what and why of a product strategy. 

• Python developer – Python is one of the programming languages that are used in the building of Web 3.0 apps. There is a growing demand for Python developers around the world and in comparison to other programming languages, it has a more promising trajectory for those who want to use it as a base for their careers. With such high demand, African developers have an opportunity to become a presence in the industry by focusing on Python as a programming language. 

• Growth lead – growth leads are an essential part of the digital world and they are particularly important in Web 3.0. A growth lead is tasked with finding the areas of potential growth in an organization and putting in place growth strategies to achieve the growth. As African startups in the Web 3.0 space increase in number and more applications are developed, growth leads will be needed to provide the direction for the growth of these companies. 

African talent needs to stay ahead of the curve

Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing startups and some of the world’s best talent. As the digital space continues to change, the talent on the continent needs to also evolve so that the continent remains a key player in the tech sector. Talent marketplaces such as AfriBlocks are there as a link between the vast talent in Africa and the greater market where Web 3.0 is quickly becoming the mainstay.

By focusing on developing talent that is Web 3.0-centric, Africa can stay ahead of the curve in the development of decentralized digital spaces. When the talent is produced, it automatically leads to the sprouting of more blockchain-based applications and the growth of the decentralized tech scene.