Hey there, crypto enthusiasts! If you've been keeping an eye on the Base blockchain—y'know, that Ethereum Layer 2 network built by Coinbase that's become a playground for everything from DeFi to meme coins—you might have caught wind of something exciting bubbling up from Africa. A recent tweet from Eddie Kago, the Base Growth Lead for East Africa, has the community buzzing about the Based Founders Fellowship (BFF) and its massive milestone.

In his post, Eddie shouts out the first version of BFF, or "BFF v1," for absolutely crushing it. We're talking over $1 billion in total volume generated across 20 early-stage founders. That's not just a number; it's a statement that Africa is stepping up as a major player in the crypto world. As Eddie puts it, "We are here to stay! And we'll get Africa onchain to unlock economic freedom." It's all about blending relentless drive with solid backing, and he gives props to folks like Jesse Pollak (Base's creator), Xen BH, Deriq Eth, and Sir Damilare for betting big on Base in Africa.

For those new to the scene, Base is an affordable, scalable blockchain that's exploded in popularity, especially for meme tokens like Brett or other fun, community-driven projects. It's designed to make onchain activities—think transactions, apps, and yes, even launching your own token—accessible to everyone, not just tech whizzes. And BFF? It's a fellowship program launched back in August 2025, aimed at African founders building onchain projects. The first cohort ran a two-week intensive in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 1 to 10, focusing on venture growth, builder support, and culminating in a Demo Day where founders pitched to top VCs like a16z Crypto, Electric Capital, 1confirmation, and CNGN.

What makes this relevant to meme tokens? Well, Base has been a hotbed for memes, with its low fees and fast transactions making it perfect for viral, community-led projects. While BFF covers a range of crypto verticals—like prediction markets, stablecoins, onchain identity, AI integrations, reward systems, self-custodial solutions, lending via SACCOs (that's Savings and Credit Cooperatives, a big deal in African finance), and DAOs—there's huge potential for meme-inspired innovations. Imagine African-themed memes or community tokens that tap into local cultures, driving adoption and volume. That $1B+ volume across these founders shows real traction, and with Africa getting more onchain, we could see a wave of fresh meme tokens emerging from the continent.

The Demo Day, live-streamed from Nairobi on October 31, 2025, was a highlight. Hosted by the Base East Africa community, it featured 20 founders pitching live to those big-name VCs, with instant feedback—commit or pass. Plus, the best pitch won an all-expenses-paid trip to Balaji Srinivasan's Network School. From the buzz, partnerships were forged, one founder already raised capital, and the energy was electric. It's proof that programs like BFF are bridging gaps, connecting African talent with global opportunities.

Eddie wraps up his tweet with "We are just getting started," and honestly, that feels spot on. If you're into meme tokens or just crypto in general, keep an eye on Base's African ecosystem. Projects from BFF could be the next big thing, blending innovation with cultural flair to create tokens that resonate worldwide. Want to dive deeper? Check out the original tweet here or explore Base's community on their site.

What's your take? Could African founders spark the next meme coin frenzy on Base? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!