In the heart of Kenya, an extraordinary festival named ReFi Kenya 2023 unfolded, showcasing a unique approach to addressing pressing ecological issues. The festival took place at Thika Greens Golf Resort, Kenya, for the second year in a row from September 13-15 2023.
ReFi, short for Regenerative Finance, is a visionary concept that integrates economic models with ecosystem regeneration.
Filecoin Green sponsored the festival and even sent a representative to join the festivities. Prezenti and ReFi DAO supported the festival in conjunction, while Shamba Network hosted the festival.
🇰🇪[WATCH] Here is a recap of the #ReFiKenya2023 festival in Kenya 🇰🇪
The event was organized by @shambanetwork with support from @filecoingreen and @prezenti_grants https://t.co/ed7rT1Zegh @ReFiKenya pic.twitter.com/ChAdmopADO
— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) October 26, 2023
This innovative festival gathered a diverse array of participants, including farmers, technology builders, local leaders, religious leaders, and grassroots NGOs, to discuss how to scale climate action in Kenya through regenerative finance. The hybrid festival consisted of online and in-real-life events and showcased the growing ReFi movement within the country.
Julia Chege from Premier Peak Foundation giving a keynote speech on carbon projects and community leadership at ReFi Kenya 2023.
The Challenge of Climate Action in Kenya
Kenya, like many nations, faces a growing climate crisis that threatens the well-being of its people and the sustainability of its environment. Prolonged droughts, unpredictable weather patterns, and rising temperatures have had a profound impact on agriculture and water resources. Climate change exacerbates soil degradation, deforestation, and other environmental challenges, which, in turn, affect the livelihoods of communities across the nation.
Shamba Network’s Founder and CEO, Kennedy Nganga, opening the festival at Thika Greens Golf Resort, Kenya
Regenerative Finance: A Paradigm Shift
At the heart of ReFi Kenya 2023 was the groundbreaking concept of regenerative finance aka ReFi. This approach stands in stark contrast to extractive economics and places ecological health and sustainability at the forefront of economic systems. Regenerative finance is designed to address ecological challenges by fostering land regeneration, cleaning up beaches, and planting trees, among other vital initiatives. By uniting economic models with environmental restoration, ReFi represents a paradigm shift in the way we approach ecological issues.
The Role of Blockchain Technology
ReFi’s use of blockchain technology was a key talking point at ReFi Kenya 2023. Blockchain, as the backbone of Web3, is at the core of the regenerative finance movement. This technology brings transparency and accountability to ecological markets, addressing some of the criticisms and concerns surrounding initiatives like carbon credits. The use of blockchain technology ensures that the impact of regenerative finance initiatives is traceable, verifiable, and accountable.
[Second day of ReFi Kenya at Thika Greens Golf Resort] Orinayo Ayodele of Filecoin Green delivers an inspiring keynote, highlighting the incredible initiatives driven by Filecoin and Filecoin GreenYouth and Web Day
In response to an overwhelming demand, the first day of ReFi Kenya was held virtually, allowing audiences from across the globe. This event showcased a great lineup of speakers, each a pioneer in the realms of ReFi and Web3 technology in Kenya and East Africa.
Speakers included:
- Ibrahim Aziz is the Founder and Executive Director of The Aquapurge Project, a Web3 project aiming to combat ocean pollution by incentivizing communities.
- Ronald Analo Nzioki is a growth hacker who is passionate about ReFi, DAOs and DeFi. He’s the Core Contributor at Celo Africa DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that is dedicated to promoting the adoption of the Celo blockchain in Africa.
- Victor Wa Kariuki is the Founder and CEO of DeSci Youths. Victor is also a contributor to the Decentralised Science (DeSci) ecosystem and a champion of the Solarpunk vision.
- Sharon Murugi leads Kamusi DAO, a collaborative effort by Web3 enthusiasts to break down complex Web3 terminology and translate them into local languages to enhance Web3 literacy and adoption.
- Mukiri Mwirigi is the Project Manager of The Africa Blockchain Center, an independent capacity building and research center focused on blockchain technology.
- Raymond Maiyo is the Co-Founder and CEO of PeerCarbon. PeerCarbon is driving sustainability transformation with innovative climate intelligence solutions.
- Jimi Cohen is Co-Founder and CEO of Treegens. Treegens is evolving Degens into Treegens with the most rewarding & transparent tree planting.
- Felix Macharia is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kotani Pay. Kotani Pay is a blockchain fintech that connects Web3 companies to local payment channels.
Farmers at the Forefront
Farmers were the stars of ReFi Kenya, representing the backbone of Kenya’s agriculture and land stewards. Their wisdom, experience, and insights were vital for the discussions. The festival featured successful farmers who have adopted regenerative farming practices, sharing their stories of transformation and resilience in the face of climate change. These voices served as a testament to the potential of regenerative agriculture to secure Kenya’s food supply and improve the livelihoods of its people.
Tree planting session at Thika Greens Golf Resort.
NGOs Driving Change
Grassroots NGOs are the unsung heroes in the fight against climate change. At ReFi Kenya, they highlighted their tireless efforts to empower local communities with the knowledge and resources needed to embrace regenerative farming. These NGOs shared success stories of reforestation, water conservation, and women’s empowerment programs that have proven instrumental in building resilience.
Ibrahim Aziz of The Aquapurge Project giving a keynote on blockchain and ocean conservation
Technology Projects in the ReFi Space
ReFi Kenya 2023 served as a hub for various technology projects and builders operating in the ReFi space. These projects represent the future of sustainable finance and ecological restoration. The groups represented included:
- Core Web3 Infrastructure Builders: These innovators form the foundation upon which ReFi is built. Their efforts include enhancing the scalability, security, and interoperability of Web3 technologies, which in turn support the growth of regenerative finance.
- ReFi Protocol Builders: Protocols play a crucial role in regenerative finance, automating ecological investments, tracking progress, incentivizing participants, and ensuring that funds are directed towards restoration projects efficiently.
- Web3 communities and DAOs: Web3 communities, DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations) and aligned media are an essential part of ReFi. They help build and steward the community that is building and backing the development of web3 technologies.
Sponsors
ReFi Kenya 2023 wouldn’t have been the massive success it was without the support of the sponsors, supporters, and hosts of the festival. Filecoin Green sponsored the festival and even sent a representative to join the festivities.
Prezenti supported the festival in conjunction with ReFi DAO, while Shamba Network hosted the festival.
Collaboration for a Climate-Resilient Future
ReFi Kenya 2023 was not just a festival; it was a catalyst for action. Participants left the festival with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared vision for a climate-resilient Kenya. The discussions and commitments made at ReFi Kenya laid the foundation for ongoing collaboration.
Group break-out discussions.
Launch of annual awards
One of the biggest announcements made during ReFi Kenya 2023 was the launch of an annual awards ceremony. The ReFi Kenya Awards will be an annual celebration of regenerators across the country, and will present awards to those leading ecosystem restoration works in different spheres. The announcement of the awards ceremony was warmly received by the festival participants and many are looking forward to the inaugural ceremony next year [2024].
ReFi Kenya 2023 marked a significant step forward in Kenya’s journey toward environmental resilience. Regenerative finance is an inspiring concept that can not only address ecological challenges but also reshape economic models in favor of sustainability. The integration of blockchain technology ensures transparency and accountability in ecological markets.
By uniting stakeholders, including farmers, technology builders, local leaders, religious leaders, and grassroots NGOs, ReFi Kenya 2023 is helping steer a pathway toward a more sustainable and ecologically conscious future for Kenya and the world. As we face the global challenges of climate change, ReFi stands as a beacon of hope and progress in the pursuit of a greener, more sustainable planet.
ReFi Kenya 2023 was hosted by Shamba Network and sponsored by Filecoin Green with support from Prezenti and ReFi DAO.
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