There are places that live in memory, and then there are moments that become home.
That’s what ZuAfrique was for us. Not just an event. Not just a popup city. But a living, breathing moment that wrapped us in dust, sound, soul and didn’t let go.
We’ve been quiet, not because there was nothing to say, but because we needed time.
Time to feel it again. Time to gather the echoes and write them down without rushing the magic.
If you followed us on X, you probably caught glimpses of raw clips, bold statements, tiny bursts of something other.
But what happened at ZuAfrique can’t really be summed up in a tweet. It was a movement, a memory, a mirror.
So pause. Breathe. Give us five minutes. Let us take you by the hand and walk you back through it through the music, the making, the madness, the meaning.
This isn’t just a newsletter. It’s a love letter to a city that only existed because we existed. Together.
They came one by one. From Nairobi, Nigeria, Kigali, Accra, Senegal, Lebanon, US, Denver and India
Over 50 builders, curious, unsure, but open. Not knowing what to expect. Not knowing this would be different.
That the next 21 days would leave fingerprints on their lives.
They didn’t know they’d find purpose reshaped, dreams reborn. That this would be a remembering of who they are, of what it means to be human, to be human first.
They didn’t know they’d learn to live fuller, to give love, receive it, and become it. To create abundance from almost nothing.
Except one thing: They came with open minds. And that was enough.
We didn’t start with announcements. We started with a poem.
A voice clear, ancient, unshaken sang truth into the air. And one line wrapped itself around us all:
“I refuse for the children coming after me to pay the fee.”
That line became a spine. A protest. A prayer. A promise. It reminded us why we build and who we build for.
ZuAfrique held over 30 curated experiences, some structured, many spontaneous and all transformative. We moved from workshops to water, from panels to open spaces, from code to consciousness.
Some of the sessions that shaped us:
Tokenization & Zero Knowledge Proofs
Breathing Life Into Systems with Design Thinking
Dream of the African Builder
The Soccersm Story
Fundraising for Early-Stage Founders
Vitalik's Ethereum Story
The Subtle Art of Communication
How to Build with People
African Futurism & the Abundance Mindset
The Infinite Garden & Game of Life
Dance, Yoga, poolside chat, and Purpose-led Panels
And then there was everything in between. Dance sessions that set us free. Open swims that reminded us how to float. Poolside chats where we didn’t have to perform, just be.
Each moment left a mark. Each gathering dropped something in our hearts.
It was the in-between moments that held the most weight. When someone looked into your eyes and really saw you. When someone asked,
“What has been your hardest moment today? Or tells you he/she loves you”
And listened for the answer.
We didn’t pitch.
We didn’t sell.
We shared. From the soul. From the softness.
We explored human bonds intentional, genuine, sacred. We practiced communication not just as a skill, but as an art of presence. We opened portals into feeling, into remembering, into collective becoming.
ZuAfrique wasn’t all frameworks and fire circles.
We made space for living.
We visited Kirepwe resort.
Took long walks along Watamu Beach,
Had a wild game night, a soulful barbecue night,
Laughed till our ribs ached.
Stared at the sky in silence.
Kilifi wasn’t just our host it became part of the story.
What ZuAfrique offered was a proto-reality, a playable future. Not utopia, but a lovingly designed provocation. A place where systems could be reimagined in real time, not theorized from a distance. – Meave
Ziz: “I’ve been to other pop-up cities, but this one felt different. A real need was being met—with technology.”
Aly: “ZuAfrique reminded me to share myself before extracting from others. It’s been life-changing.”
Georgia: “This was about human connection—a transformative experience.”
Meave: “Lead with love. Shine your light—not to be seen, but to see. Create safe spaces with your presence.”
Faith: “ZuAfrique was a breaking, a becoming, a remembering.”
Jocelyn: “There are moments that redefine everything you thought you knew. ZuAfrique was that for me.”
Sheila: “The narrative of Africa is changing.”
Want to dive deeper? Explore stories and insights from the residents themselves:
So what happens now? We don’t leave ZuAfrique behind.
We carry it with us in how we show up, how we build, how we believe.
We’re designing a home:
Where value has no color.
Where ownership is collective.
Where we build without scarcity and dream without fear.
Where human comes before tech.
Where every conversation starts with presence.
This is The Human Layer Framework. This is what comes next. And if you’re reading this you’re already part of it.
If you felt the shift, you know. If you're just discovering it now, welcome in.
ZuAfrique wasn’t just built. It birthed us and we’re not done.
We’re just beginning. But we didn’t build this alone.
To our sponsor Lisk and partners Zuzalu, Lemonade, Soccersm, Tech sisters Kenya, Payd, BBAG and Kweku Tech thank you for believing before the world caught on.
This movement was made possible because you chose to see us before the lights, before the noise.
Together, we created something unforgettable.
And now, we move forward with dust on our feet and fire in our hearts.
Take a glimpse into the ZuAfrique experience and watch out for the full official report dropping soon!
So what’s been brewing on our side while ZuAfrique was taking shape?
A lot. And we’re finally ready to share it.
We put out a call for early-stage founders who are bold enough to build the future and over 262 applications came flooding in.
From more than 20 countries across 5 continents: South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Turkey, Ethiopia, Congo, India, Colombia, Cyprus, Bangladesh, Ghana, Hungary, Cameroon, and more.
We saw founders working on everything from decentralized finance and education tools to climate tech, identity systems, and social coordination tools. And after reviewing this incredibly talented and diverse pool, we’ve selected 31 standout projects to move forward.
This isn’t just a numbers game. It’s a sign.
Builders everywhere are ready. Africa is ready. The world is ready.
Starting May 27th, these selected founders will enter a 3.5-month deep-dive:
They’ll work closely with industry experts,
Learn directly from each other,
Access up to $100,000 in grants,
And pitch for potential follow-on investment from Lisk.
But more than that, they’ll be surrounded by a community that gets it a support system that doesn’t just ask “what are you building?” but also “how are you doing?”
We believe in building with people first, not just products. This incubation program reflects that.
Ever tried building something great in a space that doesn’t support you? We’ve been there. That’s why we created the AyaHQ Builders Hubs.
We’ve got two live locations:
One in Accra, Ghana
Another in Kilifi, Kenya
Here’s what you get:
A peaceful, conducive space with reliable power and internet
A community of serious builders you can grow with
Regular IRL events like hackathons, workshops, peer reviews, and deep-dive discussions
Time and space to focus—with zero performative pressure. Whether you're just getting started or already mid-build, this is where ideas become movement.
If you’re a:
Community builder looking to host your first hackathon
Developer eager to dive into open-source projects
AyaLabs is the place for you. We’ve got the tools, the network, and the resources to help you bring your ideas to life.
Learn more and get started here.
If you’re still reading this is your sign to join the AyaHQ Builders Collective! Whether you want to network, collaborate, or just get inspired, we’ve got a bunch of exciting events coming up — from workshops and hackathons to games and networking.
Every community has its heartbeat. At ZuAfrique, one of ours came in the form of a hot cup of coffee—handed to you with purpose, every single morning.
That’s the kind of presence Project Mocha brought.
But Mocha isn’t just about coffee. It’s about access. It’s about local farmers, smallholders who’ve been locked out of opportunity, finally having a way in—through blockchain tokenization.
They’re building tools that help coffee farmers in Africa access global markets, increase transparency, and unlock better income—without the middlemen.
But what made Mocha special at ZuAfrique wasn’t just the tech. It was the care.
They didn’t wait for the spotlight.
They served.
With warmth. With consistency. With vision.
To the Mocha team: thank you for grounding us each morning, for building with your hands and your hearts.
We see you. And we’re cheering you on all the way.
AyaHQ Is Building the Future of On-Chain Builders in Africa
We’re not just here for the hype. We’re here for the builders, the founders, the visionaries.
Through:
AyaHQ Builders Hub – Where builders live, work, and create.
AyaLabs – Fueling hackathons and developer growth.
Ayaversity Founders Program – Helping Web3 founders build scalable projects.
The Human Layer Movement – Championing collaboration in Web3.
The market doesn’t dictate our momentum—we do.
So if you’re serious about building in Web3, you know where to find us.
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