Hey there! If you’re into blockchain, crypto, or just cool tech developments, you’re going to love this update from Eddie Kago. On March 7, 2025, Eddie announced on X that he’s taking on an exciting new role as the Base East Africa Lead at Coinbase, one of the biggest names in cryptocurrency. His mission? To help onboard Africa to Ethereum and drive the adoption of blockchain technology across the region. Let’s dive into what this means, why it’s a big deal, and what’s next for Eddie.

What’s Eddie Kago’s New Role at Coinbase?

Eddie Kago is joining Coinbase to lead efforts for Base, a layer-2 scaling solution built on Ethereum that aims to make blockchain faster and cheaper to use. As Base East Africa Lead, Eddie will work alongside Derrick Ochago and a talented team of builders in East Africa to bring millions of people onchain. This isn’t just about tech for tech’s sake—Eddie’s focus is on solving real problems, like boosting economic freedom for developers, creatives, founders, and communities in Africa.

Blockchain, in case you’re new to it, is like a digital ledger that’s super secure and decentralized, meaning no single person or company controls it. Ethereum is one of the most popular blockchain platforms, and Base makes it easier for everyday people and businesses to use it. Eddie’s vision is to harness these tools to create opportunities, especially in a region where traditional financial systems can be limiting.

He shared in his post that he’s looking for builders—developers, creatives, and community leaders—who want to use Base to tackle real-world challenges. If you’re interested in joining this movement, Eddie even included a link to schedule a call and chat about how Base can support your projects (check it out here).

Stepping Down as CEO of Antugrow

While this new role at Coinbase is exciting, it comes with a big change for Eddie. He’s stepping down as CEO of Antugrow, a company he co-founded, to focus on his work with Coinbase. But don’t worry—Antugrow isn’t slowing down. Eddie’s co-founder, Brian Amani, is taking over as CEO, and Eddie is confident that Brian’s leadership, strategic thinking, and innovation will keep Antugrow thriving.

Eddie isn’t leaving Antugrow completely, though. He’ll transition to a non-executive role as Chairman, offering advice and support to ensure the company continues its mission of helping farmers through innovative solutions. This shift shows how passionate Eddie is about both blockchain and supporting Africa’s agricultural communities.

Why This Matters for Africa and Blockchain

Eddie’s move highlights something bigger: Africa is becoming a hotspot for blockchain and cryptocurrency adoption. The continent faces unique challenges, like high banking fees, inflation, and limited access to financial services. Blockchain can help solve these issues by offering decentralized, secure, and accessible solutions. For example, Eddie’s work with Base could make it easier for people in East Africa to use digital currencies or smart contracts (think of those as self-executing agreements on the blockchain) for everyday needs.

This isn’t a new idea for Eddie. Back in 2021, he wrote about the potential of blockchain in Africa on Medium, discussing how it could transform industries like finance and supply chains. And recent reports, like those from the World Economic Forum, show that Africa’s unique challenges are driving innovation in crypto, making it a perfect fit for technologies like Ethereum and Base.

What’s Next?

Eddie’s announcement has already sparked excitement on X, with people like Blessing and Sheila congratulating him and sharing their enthusiasm. It’s clear this is just the beginning of a big push to bring blockchain into everyday life in Africa.

If you’re a builder or just curious about how blockchain can change things, Eddie’s invitation to connect is a great opportunity. Whether you’re in East Africa or anywhere else, this could be your chance to be part of a movement that’s reshaping economic freedom through tech.

So, what do you think? Are you excited about blockchain’s potential in Africa? Drop a comment or reach out to Eddie’s team to share your ideas. This is a thrilling chapter for tech in the region, and I can’t wait to see where it goes!