University Blockchain WeekBlockFest Ethiopia
Experience a Chain-Agnostic, Hybrid (In-Person + Online) event at
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU).
Organized by
Executive Summary
Talent Access.
Developer Outcomes.
BlockFest Ethiopia 2026 is a university-first Web3 ecosystem-building initiative designed to unlock, identify, and accelerate the next generation of blockchain developers, builders, and founders in Ethiopia.
We bridge the gap between protocol foundations and high-quality student talent through measurable outputs rather than passive brand exposure.
Mission Statement
To bridge the gap between Web2 students and real Web3 opportunities.
Why Now
As Web3 matures, emerging markets face a critical bottleneck:Talent discovery, onboarding, and conversion.
Direct Access
No more barriers to ecosystem players
Protocol Tooling
Real exposure to professional stacks
Structured Pathways
Clear transitions into Web3 careers
Massive Momentum
Behind every line of code is a builder. Behind every builder is a community.
Empowering a new world of builders.
Real-world Web3 opportunities starts with the right community.
Intensive Web3 Bootcamps
Our Base
AASTU Hub
The Core Team
$50K
Global Partners
Beyond Just Code.
Networking, parties, and human connections.
Our Community
BaD (Builders & Developers) Ethiopia is the driving force behind BlockFest, cultivating a vibrant ecosystem where technical excellence meets radical innovation.
Developer Focus
Talent discovery, onboarding, and conversion in Web3
Outcome-Driven
Measurable impact through hackathons and ecosystem access
Chain-Agnostic
Supporting all blockchain ecosystems and technologies
Developer Focus
Talent discovery, onboarding, and conversion in Web3
Outcome-Driven
Measurable impact through hackathons and ecosystem access
Chain-Agnostic
Supporting all blockchain ecosystems and technologies
Season Highlights
An intense, 7-day immersion into the future of decentralization.
3-Day Hackathon
Build Web3 prototypes with real-world impact alongside top developers.
Expert Mentorship
Learn directly from industry builders and global protocol experts.
Career Acceleration
Access exclusive internships, grants, and Web3 career pipelines.
Global Ecosystem
Connect with 600+ builders and founders from the Ethereum community.
Web3 Native
On-chain voting, NFT tickets, and POAPs for every participant.
The Tracks
The BUIDL Track
3-day Web3 hackathon with smart contract workshops, dev-tooling demos, and mentor office hours. Build real prototypes and deploy to blockchain.
The Alpha Track
Keynotes on DeFi, DAOs, RWA, DePIN, and Privacy. Learn from protocol experts and gain strategic context for your builder journey.
The Culture Track
Networking mixers, NFT showcases, founder-student meetups, and sponsor activations. Build relationships in a long-term community.
Web3 Integration
NFT access passes, POAPs, and on-chain voting. BLOCKFEST eats its own dog food with composable Web3 infrastructure.
Season Timeline
Feb - March 2026
High School Tour
Blockchain education in 3 STEM-focused schools across Ethiopia
March 18-20
Hackathon Days 1-3
BUIDL Track: 3-day hackathon with workshops and mentorship
March 21-22
Alpha Track
Keynotes on DeFi, DAOs, RWA, DePIN, Privacy & careers
March 23-24
Culture & Ecosystem
Networking mixers, sponsor activations, founder meetups
March 25 Morning
Final Demos & Judging
Showcase projects to judges from protocol foundations
March 25 Evening
Awards Ceremony
Winners announced for prizes, grants, and internships
Our Speakers
Solomon Tigabu
Creative technologist in software, branding, and product design with 600+ designs delivered.
Aziz Mohammed
Operating at the intersection of blockchain and AI to design lean, modular DAO systems.
Mearaf Tadewos
Specializing in decentralized systems, complex frontend architecture, and high-quality UX/UI.
Dawit Mengistu
Actively building Web3 communities through data-driven insights across decentralized finance, crypto markets, and on-chain systems.
Start your Journey.
Join the largest Web3 community in Ethiopia.
Partner with Purpose
BlockFest is positioned as a talent access platform first, not just a branding exercise.
Talent Access
Direct connection to high-potential Ethiopian builders with ranked hackathon outputs.
Branding
Establish your protocol as a leader in one of Africa's fastest-growing tech hubs.
Ecosystem Growth
Drive adoption of your tech stack through hands-on workshops and real project deployment.
Target Audience
Estimated breakdown based on ecosystem data.
Projected Reach
Distribution Channels
Node
Ideal for community-focused organizations and emerging protocols.
Validator
For established protocols looking to hire top-tier Ethiopian talent.
Whale
Maximum visibility and strategic alignment with the ecosystem.
Sponsor Outcomes We Fully Control
Technical Involvement
Sponsors can optionally deepen their engagement through:
Custom Bounties
Define side bounties using your SDKs, APIs, or tooling
Stack Alignment
Provide mentors and judges aligned to your technology
Talent Pipeline
Offer follow-on grants, internships, or accelerator access
Budget Allocation
*Detailed budget breakdown available upon request.
Questions?
Everything you need to know about joining the movement.