Akon’s DLT Startup to Set up a Blockchain Hub in Kenya in Q4 2020

Akon, a famous Senegalese-American musician and a known blockchain supporter, is setting up a blockchain hub in Kenya.

Dubbed the “Kenyan Opportunity Hub”, the new venture aims to promote blockchain and artificial intelligence, or AI, education. They also hope to provide Kenyans with more work opportunities.

First African blockchain hub launched by Akoin and Effect.AI

A joint initiative of Akon’s blockchain startup Akoin and EOSIO-powered project Effect.AI, the hub is set to launch in Q4 2020 and will be the first initiative of its kind in Africa, the companies announced to Cointelegraph on July 1. The project will be handled by Akon’s philanthropic arm, the Akon Foundation.

The Kenyan Opportunity Hub will be the first African blockchain hub in a series of so-called Akon-Effect Opportunity Hubs. At these hubs, people will be able to access AI and blockchain-related education as well as online work paid in cryptocurrency on Effect.AI’s blockchain platform.

According to a joint announcement, the hub is likely to be located near Mwale Medical and Technology City, a project run by United States engineering firm, KE International. By building the hub close to Mwale, the creators intend to unlock more work opportunities like tech-powered medical record translation.

Effect.AI runs a similar hub in the country of Georgia

As announced, the Kenyan Opportunity Hub will benefit from the experience of a similar Effect.AI’s hub that is already operating in Rustavi, Georgia.

Launched in partnership with the United Nations Development Program in 2019, the initiative seeks to boost industry job opportunities and promote tech knowledge. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Effect.AI project is a decentralized AI network operating on the EOS blockchain.

Cointelegraph reached out to Effect.AI and Akoin to find out more about the Kenyan blockchain hub initiative. This article will be updated pending any new information.

Akon’s “crypto revolution” plans

News of the Kenyan blockchain hub comes soon after Akon was awarded a $6 billion contract to build a cryptocurrency city in Senegal. The project envisions the construction of a “100% crypto-based city” featuring Akon’s Akoin cryptocurrency.

Akon’s ambiguous plans on pushing mass adoption of blockchain technology in Africa is part of his long-running African “crypto revolution.” Alongside plans to build crypto cities and hubs in Africa, Akon is also planning to issue his own cryptocurrency to enable the tokenized trading of mobile phone credits, which are used as a currency in Africa.

The upcoming token, known as Akoin, is planned to be issued on the Stellar blockchain. The utility token will power “atomic swaps” between crypto, fiat, and mobile phone credits on the Akoin network.