Yvonne Kagondu always knew she wanted a career in technology, but coding never quite agreed with her. The language felt foreign, but she found her niche in helping others learn, and in that, she seems to have had better success.
In just two years since launching the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) Hub Kenya, Yvonne has helped more than 1,000 young Kenyans gain skills in Web3 programming and incubated several start-ups now tackling some of Africa’s most pressing challenges.
ICP is a blockchain platform for building decentralised Web applications, similar to the technology powering cryptocurrencies. Its hubs, including the Nairobi chapter, educate communities, train developers, and incubate products.
Although the global ICP Foundation headhunted her to start the Kenyan branch, Yvonne’s decision to take it up was shaped by personal experience.
"My goal now is to see more innovations coming from our developers so that we create more jobs for Kenyans."
“I had seen the challenge of jobs in the blockchain industry. I had also faced that challenge. Then there’s also the challenge of start-ups… there wasn’t enough innovation coming from us,” she recalls.
“When I looked at those challenges and what ICP was offering, I saw that we could work together. My goal now is to see more innovations coming from our developers so that we create more jobs for Kenyans.”
Her love affair with blockchain began at Strathmore University, where she was studying Financial Economics. Learning about its potential to advance financial inclusion and economic growth convinced her to build a career in the space.
Before ICP Hub, Yvonne founded the Kenya Blockchain Ladies Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) to empower young women in tech, and a media outfit to demystify blockchain for the public. She has also consulted for multiple organisations in the sector.
The fast-evolving industry has taught her valuable lessons: to keep learning, to think globally, and to stay humble.
“Stay hungry, stay foolish. You have to keep learning.” For Yvonne, blockchain is not just a career, it’s a platform for transformation.
-Vincent Owino