Interview Spotlight
Femi Adegolu on APRAEMIO, Lingo, and Building a Human-Centered Web3 in AfricaWe had the pleasure of speaking with Femi Adegolu, CEO of BChain Africa, to explore how blockchain can serve as a tool for empowerment rather than hype.
In this exclusive interview, Femi shares his thoughts on the APRAEMIO project, the importance of meeting users where they are, and why collaboration, education, and long-term utility are key to driving Web3 adoption across the continent.
1. Can you share your initial impressions of the APRAEMIO project and its mission within the Web3 space?
"Absolutely. APRAEMIO is a truly exciting initiative, particularly in how it leverages blockchain partnerships to expand access to mining-related services and platforms across Africa. What immediately stood out to me is the project's distinctiveness. In a space crowded with fintech apps, payment platforms, and yet another stablecoin, APRAEMIO offers something different: a focused, sector-specific solution with a clear and compelling value proposition. That level of originality is what makes it a project worth following closely."
2. BChain Africa is focused on bringing blockchain-based solutions to African economies. In your view, what are the most critical elements in building sustainable digital infrastructure in this region?
"For me, the most important factor is user education. A year ago, we concentrated on training technical and non-technical talent in areas like blockchain analytics, research, and development. But recently, we’ve shifted our focus to the everyday user, because the reality is, most people still don’t understand what Web3 is or how it relates to their daily lives. At BChain Africa, we aim to simplify blockchain for the average person. Ultimately, our mission is to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 and become a distribution pipeline for meaningful on-chain products and protocols.
3. Apraemio is looking to expand its ecosystem through service-oriented partnerships. What do you typically look for in a potential partner, and what makes a collaboration truly valuable for BChain Africa?
"One of our key initiatives is Lingo, an education platform designed to simplify blockchain and AI for everyday users. We’re currently working on partnerships with telecom companies in Nigeria to distribute Lingo via SMS. Once a user clicks the link from their text message, they’re taken straight to Lingo. That’s how we scale by meeting people where they are. As for partnerships, we look for projects with real utility and long-term vision, just like Apraemio.
4. Do you see a future where your token or platform could interact with other blockchain ecosystems — such as Apraemio’s — to provide access across networks? What do you see as key to making cross-ecosystem collaboration work?
"Absolutely. Our token is being developed with a multi-chain future in mind. We want to reward users for real milestones much like how Ethereum once rewarded its early validators and miners. Cross-ecosystem collaboration is the future, and our approach is all about accessibility. For example, if Apraemio wanted to reward its community with tokens via Lingo, we would facilitate that. Projects can tap into our user base, and we help with distribution, education, and retention. That’s how you build interoperability, by aligning incentives and focusing on shared value."
5. What advice would you give to startups or new Web3 projects entering the space today?
"My biggest advice is this: don’t rush to market. I’m currently building another startup in stealth, and I’m in no hurry to launch. I want to understand the market, refine the product, and make sure what we’re building actually solves a real problem. Unfortunately, many Web3 founders reverse the process they launch a token first, raise some hype and funding, and then scramble to build a product that often doesn’t even make sense. What we need is a space built on ethics, capacity, and longevity. Blockchain and AI are not the product. They are enablers, tools to drive change in areas like payments, remittances, and global trade. But the value lies in what we build with them, not the tech itself. That’s the message I hope more founders will embrace."
