Breaking Barriers in Web3: Faith’s Journey from Developer to Leader

As part of our Women’s Month series, we sat down with Faith - a powerhouse shaking up Web3. She’s not just coding; she’s leading. The founder and core developer of Custos Diretriz, a Web3 trainer at Timbuktu DAO, and the West Africa Regional Ambassador for Women in Blockchain Africa, Faith is rewriting the rules. From hackathon champion to mentor and leader, she’s proving that Web3’s future is diverse, fearless, and unstoppable.

From Web2 Roadblocks to Web3 Revolution

For Faith, Web3 wasn’t just interesting - it was life-changing. Getting paid as a freelancer in Africa was a nightmare. Then she discovered crypto, and everything clicked.

“Crypto came about and you just get your pay in less than a second, two seconds. No matter the distance, no matter the border, you were able to get your payment.”

In 2022, she entered a Web3 hackathon as a front-end dev. Two days to learn smart contracts? No problem. She pulled it off - and won.

“The money was huge for a hackathon. Web2 hackathons don’t even come close. That’s when I knew I needed to explore Web3 further.”

Cracking Open Source & Owning It

Faith quickly became a top contributor on OnlyDust, a platform connecting devs to open-source Web3 projects. For her, it was more than just coding - it was about proving her worth on a global stage.

“I started contributing just to prove my value. I wanted people to check my profile and see - yes, I’m an OG in this space.”

And the recognition? Instant. Even before contributor rewards, her work was making waves.

“I posted my contributions online and people started reaching out—‘Hey, I saw your work on OnlyDust. Can you build something like this for us?’ It gave me momentum, visibility, and proof of my skills.”

Leading the Charge for Women in Blockchain

As the West Africa Regional Ambassador for Women in Blockchain Africa, Faith is all about breaking barriers. She’s running workshops, hosting hackathons, and building safe spaces where women can learn, grow, and take their place in Web3.

“It’s tricky onboarding women, especially in Africa. Cultural and social norms make it tough. But we’re making real progress. We even have women over 50 joining our community!”

One of the biggest challenges? Lack of representation.

“When you're the only woman in a team of 20 men, decisions are made without your voice. That’s why we need more women in this space - to shape the future of blockchain in a way that works for everyone.”

Faith’s Advice for Women Ready to Conquer Web3

Faith’s advice is simple but powerful: Show up. Be seen. Own your space.

“Contribute consistently and visibly to projects that align with your goals. That’s how you grow, build a strong network, and carve out your place in this space.”