Thabiso Njoko

There is a certain irony in the idea of gas fees. When people first encounter them, they imagine something strange, almost comical: how could money, intangible as it is on a blockchain, need to pay for fuel? Yet, in this digital village we are building, gas is the cost of belonging, the cost of moving, the cost of making your voice heard. A Story of Movement Imagine a bustling market in Lagos on a Saturday afternoon. The air thick with chatter, bargaining, the smell of roasted corn, and the restless rhythm of people. To get from one end of the market to the other, you don’t simply walk. You negotiate space, you wait for others, and sometimes you pay a boy with a wheelbarrow to carry your goods because the crowd is too heavy. That, in essence, is how blockchains work. Gas fees are the price of passage in this crowded digital market. What Gas Really Is On Ethereum, gas is measured in “gwei,” a fraction of ETH, tiny but powerful. To send money, mint an NFT, or run a smart contrac...

When people first hear about cryptocurrencies and blockchain, one of the most confusing parts is often wallets and keys . Many assume that wallets “store” cryptocurrencies like a physical wallet holds cash. But that’s not quite true. Instead, wallets act as digital tools that give you access to your assets on the blockchain. The coins don’t live in your wallet — they live on the blockchain. What your wallet really stores are keys — the codes that prove ownership and allow you to send or receive crypto. What Is a Wallet? A blockchain wallet is a software or hardware tool that allows you to: Send and receive digital assets (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or NFTs) Store your private and public keys Interact with decentralized apps (dApps) Think of it as your passport into the world of Web3. There are two main types: Hot Wallets – Connected to the internet (e.g., MetaMask, Trust Wallet). Easy to use, but more exposed to hacking. Cold Wallets – Hardware devices or offlin...

The internet as we know it is changing — again. We’ve seen the rise of static web pages in the early 90s (Web1), followed by the age of social media and user-generated content (Web2). Now, the next evolution is unfolding: Web3. But what is Web3, and why is it being hailed as the next frontier of the digital world? What is Web3? At its core, Web3 is a vision for a decentralized internet — one where users have ownership of their data, digital assets, and online identities. Built using blockchain and decentralized protocols, Web3 aims to eliminate the control of centralized platforms and empower individuals instead. In Web2, tech giants like Facebook and Google control your personal data, content, and monetization opportunities. In Web3, the control shifts back to you. Key Characteristics of Web3 Decentralization Data and services are hosted on peer-to-peer networks instead of centralized servers. Ownership Users can own digital assets like tokens, NFTs, or domain names tied to t...

 In this episode of Unpacking Blockchain Technology , we explore one of the most critical components of blockchain: cryptography  — the invisible shield that protects digital data, ensures transaction integrity, and powers trustless systems. What Is Cryptography, and Why Does It Matter? At its core, cryptography is the science of secure communication. It converts data into a coded format that only authorized parties can understand. In the world of blockchain, cryptography ensures that: Transactions are secure and tamper-proof Identities are protected Data cannot be altered retroactively Without cryptography, blockchain as we know it simply wouldn’t work. Two Key Types of Cryptography in Blockchain 1. Hashing (e.g., SHA-256): Every piece of data in a blockchain is run through a hash function . This generates a fixed-length string of characters (the hash) that acts like a digital fingerprint. Even the slightest change to the data produces a completely different hash, ensuring data i...

In today’s digital world, we often interact with systems that fall into one of two categories: centralized or decentralized. In Episode 5 of Unpacking Blockchain Technology with Thabiso Njoko , we take a deep dive into the meaning, structure, and impact of these two opposing system designs. Understanding the difference is fundamental to grasping why blockchain technology is so revolutionary. What Is a Centralized System? A centralized system operates under the control of a single authority or a tightly managed hierarchy. Most traditional institutions like banks, governments, social media platforms, and corporations run on centralized systems. This means all decisions, data storage, and access permissions flow through a central server or administrator. While centralized systems are typically faster and easier to manage, they come with clear limitations. Chief among these are: Single Point of Failure: If the central server crashes, gets hacked, or becomes corrupt, the entire system can g...

  Agriculture is the backbone of most African economies, employing over 60% of the continent’s workforce and contributing significantly to GDP. Yet, challenges like supply chain inefficiencies, middlemen exploitation, lack of financing, counterfeit inputs , and climate risks have slowed its growth. Blockchain offers real-time, transparent, and secure solutions that can empower farmers, agribusinesses, consumers, and governments. Let’s dig deep into exactly how. 1. Supply Chain Transparency & Traceability The Problem African food systems often lack traceability. Buyers and exporters don’t trust the origin, quality, or handling of agricultural products. Middlemen distort prices. Blockchain Solution Each step of the agricultural supply chain — from seed procurement, farming practices, harvesting, packaging, transport, and sales — is recorded on a blockchain . This data can be verified in real time by all stakeholders. Real-Life Example A cocoa bean grown in Ghana can be tracke...