In a world where technology is shaping the future, Bratipah Kioko has fought her way to the forefront of a male-dominated industry, earning her place as a Kenya Lisk Ambassador and a celebrated force in blockchain.
Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience, bringing down barriers, and claiming space where women are often underrepresented. With ease, confidence, and unwavering determination, Bratipah is not only driving innovation but also inspiring more women to step into the world of tech, showing them that they, too, can lead and thrive in this dynamic field.
From Curiosity to Career
When asked what sparked her interest in blockchain, Bratipah’s eyes light up. “My interest in blockchain technology was sparked by its potential to create a transparent, decentralized, and secure system,” she shares. Her journey began with a desire to solve persistent challenges in sectors like agriculture and crowdfunding. Bratipah recognized the disruptive power of blockchain to eliminate intermediaries, give ownership back to producers and end-users, and advance accountability.
But it wasn’t just the technology that drew her in. “As a woman in the web3 space, I saw a gap for skilled women and ran through it to create a brand—not just for myself, but for other women interested in becoming builders in this space,” she says. Her mission has grown to include mentorship, collaboration, and creating opportunities for women in tech.
Driving Blockchain Adoption in Africa
As Kenya’s Lisk Ambassador, Bratipah is committed to using blockchain to transform industries across Africa. She explains that Lisk is driving web3 adoption by focusing on real-world applications like decentralized finance (DeFi), regenerative finance (ReFi), and tokenization of assets. “Lisk offers SMEs a chance to elevate their finances, reaching the unbanked population with low transaction fees and no border restrictions,” she explains.
Why lisk
“Lisk offers a global market it has over $15.8B assets onchain, 1.2M users, 750+apps, these will ensure that key industries in Africa are covered”
Lisk vision extends to supporting startups through grants and partnerships with organizations like CV Labs and Aya, helping them scale globally.
Bratipah says “Blockchain is more than innovation; it’s a tool for inclusivity, transparency, and sustainable development”.
Hackathon Wins and Lessons Learned
Bratipah’s journey includes numerous hackathon victories, but two projects she was part of stand out: Shift a Life and Unkorrupt. The former, a donation platform eliminating intermediaries, was her entry point into the Near ecosystem. Despite being the only woman in the competition, she thrived, learning the importance of teamwork, focus, and hard work.
Her second project, Unkorrupt, is a learning platform that simplifies policy education using blockchain. “This project taught me to build with the user in mind, ensuring the technology feels seamless,” she says.
Her advice to hackathon participants is clear: “Dive in for the experience and exposure. Hackathons are a crash course in blockchain concepts and an opportunity to turn ideas into tangible solutions.”
And to the devs who have already participated in a few hackathons, she says…. “they shouldn’t stay in that loop for long; rather they should aim to break the barriers and bring that particular idea/project to a startup or rather into an ecosystem tool”.
Empowering the Next Generation
Bratipah is a beacon of hope for women in tech, proving that the blockchain/web 3 space isn’t just for men.
Her work is inspiring other women to step into the web3 world, collaborate on impactful projects, and leverage the support of the vibrant blockchain community.
Bratipah Kioko isn’t just a tech innovator; she’s a role model, inspiring women across Africa to embrace technology and build solutions that matter. For this Woman Crush Wednesday, we celebrate her dedication, vision, and unstoppable drive to make blockchain technology accessible to all one block at a time.