Web3 Ecosystem Builder | Program & Operations Manager
I design and deliver developer programs, partnerships, and products that grow Web3 adoption across Africa, bridging what protocols need with what builders actually ship.
Building bridges between protocols and developers, ideas and products
I like to think of myself as someone who builds bridges between protocols and developers, between ideas and real products. My journey started as a developer in Web3Bridge Cohort 08, but I quickly found myself drawn to the bigger picture: how to design programs, manage people, and create systems that help others succeed.
That path led me to becoming Head of Operations and Ecosystem Builder at Web3Bridge, and today I combine that experience with product and frontend work at Kharon Labs.
Over the past two years, I've helped run and grow programs across Africa; five Solidity bootcamps (Cohorts 09–13), as well as Cartesi, Starknet, and Backend development tracks, onboarding 300+ developers and guiding projects that went on to secure grants and ecosystem support.
Outside of titles and programs, I'm a philomath; I love learning. Right now, it's French (Arabic is next). I enjoy tinkering with Web3 frontend and product tools, and I find joy in understanding the technical side just as much as the operational side.
Looking ahead, I'm curious about how AI and cloud can reshape developer education and access, and I plan to explore those intersections as my career evolves.
"My focus is always the same: give developers the right environment, structure, and momentum so they can finish strong and ship real products."
From developer foundations to ecosystem leadership—building programs, products, and communities that scale
Driving product strategy and frontend engineering for Kharon Pay, a Starknet-based fiat ↔ crypto on/off-ramp designed for African users.
Defined and executed product roadmap aligned with ecosystem needs in Africa
Built and shipped production-grade Next.js/React frontend integrated with backend microservices
Launched payment flows with real user testing, reducing friction and improving adoption
Bridged product vision and engineering execution to deliver seamless fiat–crypto access
Led operations, partnerships, and ecosystem development for Africa’s leading Web3 developer academy.
Directed 5 Solidity bootcamps (Cohorts 09–13) and launched Starknet and Backend Development tracks; onboarded 300+ developers and graduated 150+
Secured and executed the Starknet Education Grant; enabled Lisk’s multi-cohort sponsorship extension through Cohort 10 outcomes
Built program infrastructure including GitHub repos (170+ contributors, 190+ forks), Classmate dApp v2 for attendance/assessments, and a Node.js/Flutterwave payment system
Coordinated flagship events such as Web3Lagos 2024 (600+ participants) and Celebrating Ethereum at 10 (300+ registered)
Scaled Web3Bridge’s team from <10 to 30+ as programs expanded and ecosystem partnerships deepened.
Introduced reporting systems, strategy reviews, and process documentation that improved accountability and enabled smoother operations.
Provided media and community support during Cohort 09, laying the groundwork for later leadership in operations and ecosystem building.
Produced photography and video documentation that strengthened Web3Bridge’s storytelling and program visibility
Supported student welfare and logistics during intensive in-person sessions
Contributed to early community engagement processes that informed future program operations
A showcase of selected programs I've led, systems I've built, technical projects I've shipped, and community events I've helped deliver to grow Web3 across Africa.
5 Cohorts • 300+ Developers
Directed consecutive bootcamps (Cohorts 09–13), end-to-end admissions, curriculum coordination, welfare, mentors, and capstone demo days while strengthening systems for retention and delivery.
Starknet Masterclass • Backend Track
Expanded beyond Solidity by delivering a Starknet-funded 6-week Starknet masterclass, and also designing and launching a Backend Development track introduced in Cohort 14.
HostIt • Coiton • Strimz
Coordinated and documented final-week capstones through writing PRDs and demo day oversight, several projects later secured ecosystem grants and migrated to Starknet. These outcomes highlight the pipeline strength of Web3Bridge programs and my role in enabling promising products to emerge from training environments.
Starknet On/Off-Ramp Protocol
Serving as product manager and frontend engineer for a Starknet-based financial infrastructure that enables seamless fiat–crypto integration for African users.
NFT-based Cohort Attendance & Assessment
Managed the product and rollout of Classmate v2 standardizing attendance via NFTs and integrating results into assessment workflows across cohorts.
Node.js • Express • Flutterwave • Next.js
Developed a production-grade payment flow for student registrations, integrating Flutterwave for transactions and Google Sheets for real-time reporting to leadership. Adopted across multiple cohorts, streamlining fee collection and oversight.
Accountability & Reporting via GitHub
Built and standardized GitHub repo templates (structures, examples, and READMEs) that centralized assignments and capstones, creating a transparent system for accountability, mentor reviews, and sponsor reporting.
Core Organizing Team
Coordinated program operations and student logistics, contributing to the successful delivery of Africa’s largest Web3 conference edition featuring talks, workshops, and a hackathon.
Facilitated Experience
Facilitated Ethereum’s 10-year anniversary in Lagos with lightning talks and networking that connected local builders to a global milestone.
Launch Event
Organized the launch of Web3Bridge’s community garage, bringing together partners, alumni, and local builders to inaugurate a new collaboration space.
Developer Session
Facilitated a developer meetup as part of Devcon’s global satellite series, featuring talks, Q&A, and networking to connect local builders with the wider Ethereum community.
I'm a lifelong learner exploring the intersections between technology, culture, and human connection
Language Learning
Current Focus
Currently learning French with Arabic on deck. Language learning opens new perspectives and connects cultures-skills that translate beautifully to building inclusive tech ecosystems.
Web3 Frontend Development
Current Focus
I love experimenting with new Web3 frontend patterns, exploring DApp UX improvements, and contributing to open-source projects when I can. It keeps me close to the developer experience.
Movies & Storytelling
Current Focus
Movies and storytelling fascinate me; the craft of building narratives that resonate. This passion influences how I think about program design and community building.
AI & Cloud Exploration
Current Focus
I'm curious about how AI and cloud technologies can reshape developer education and financial access, areas I plan to build in over time as my career evolves.
Continuous growth and staying curious about new domains, technologies, and perspectives.
Connecting different worlds, protocols and developers, ideas and implementation.
Work that creates tangible value, programs that help people, products that solve real problems.
Diverse perspectives working together. Contributing to open source and knowledge sharing.
I contribute to open-source projects when I can and believe in knowledge sharing. Building in public and helping others learn is part of how I give back to the community that taught me.
I write about products, blockchain, and ecosystems, alongside lessons on business, leadership, and growth. Medium is where I share long-form explorations; LinkedIn is where I post shorter, practical takes for people and teams.
Medium
Featured Article
Your job isn't to chase ideas. It's to solve the right problems. That means filtering through the noise, understanding the why behind every request, and focusing relentlessly on real user needs.
Medium
Featured Article
Solidity's Check-Effect-Interaction (CEI) pattern is a programming paradigm used to enhance the security and efficiency of smart contract development.
Featured Article
On the partnership side, one of the best lessons I learned came from my boss: transparency builds trust faster than perfect numbers ever could. That mindset shaped everything from reports to KPIs to proposals.
Loading latest articles...
Follow me on Medium and LinkedIn for regular insights on developer programs, ecosystem growth, and the future of Web3 in Africa.
Sharing insights on developer education, program design, and ecosystem growth at conferences and community events
Keynote Speaker
Answering the Call: Tech and the Marketplace
Delivered an inspiring talk on how believers can embrace technology as a tool for purpose, influence, and innovation in the marketplace.
Shared a personal journey from student engineer to Head of Operations at Web3Bridge
Explored how technology enables believers to express creativity, purpose, and leadership in modern society
Speaker
Community First: Strategies for Building Sticky, Loyal User Bases
Delivered a session on how community-first principles can transform user retention and growth in decentralized ecosystems, drawing lessons from Web3Bridge’s grassroots developer programs.
Explained the difference between audiences and communities, emphasizing co-creation and participation as key to loyalty
Outlined six pillars for building community-based products — shared purpose, participation pathways, rituals, social architecture, leadership, and feedback
Speaker
Understanding ZK Rollups and Layer 2 Scaling
Delivered an introductory session on zero-knowledge rollups and Layer 2 scaling, using Scroll and Starknet as examples to explain how zk-proofs enhance scalability and security on Ethereum.
Introduced the fundamentals of zk-rollups and their role in Ethereum scalability
Explained how provers, bundlers, and verifiers interact between L2 and Ethereum L1
Mentor
Building Better Products: From Features to Strategy
A product conversation with cohort teams on refining their projects, aligning features with real user needs, and adopting a strategic mindset toward product development.
Reviewed student-led product ideas and provided actionable feedback on features and UX decisions
Discussed how to prioritize features based on user needs and technical feasibility
I'm available for conferences, workshops, panels, and community events. Let's discuss how I can contribute to your event.
Looking to launch programs, grow ecosystems, or build products that drive real adoption? I’d love to connect.
olorunfemisamuel01@gmail.com
Best for detailed project discussions and collaboration opportunities
linkedin.com/in/samuel-olorunfemi-babalola
Connect professionally and see my latest updates
github.com/olorunfemibabs
Check out my code and open-source work
x.com/SamuelBabalola_
Follow for quick updates and industry insights
I typically respond within 24–48 hours. For urgent matters, LinkedIn messages tend to get a faster reply.