A Groundbreaking Moment for the Francophone Community
As previously announced, the Catalyst Africa Townhall achieved a significant milestone by delivering an event in-person and entirely in French for the Congolese community, a pioneering initiative for the region.
On Suturday, January 31, 2026 , this vision became a resounding success in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Expertly organized on the ground by Goma Hub and hosted at the Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural des Grands Lacs , this event—aptly named “Cardano 360°” —fulfilled its core mission: to provide over 30 students, entrepreneurs, and eager young enthusiasts with a comprehensive and accessible overview of the Cardano ecosystem.
Event Timeline: An Immersive Learning Journey
12:00 PM: Official Launch & Framing
The event commenced promptly at 12:00 PM Goma time. Bandu Balume Boaz , Team Leader of Goma Hub, delivered the official opening address. He clearly outlined the day’s agenda, introduced the key themes, and presented the main speakers, Olivier Mwatsimulamo and Martin Musagara , setting a dynamic and promising tone for the day.
12:05 - 12:15 PM: Introducing Catalyst Africa Townhall
Boaz continued by focusing on the main organizing entity: Catalyst Africa Townhall . He detailed its mission, vision, and past activities. This segment was crucial, allowing participants to understand the origin and scope of the initiative that provided this invaluable in-person learning opportunity.
12:16 - 12:55 PM: Building the Foundation with Olivier Mwatsimulamo
Olivier Mwatsimulamo led the first technical deep dive. His pedagogical and engaging session covered the essential foundations for understanding Cardano:
- The evolution of money, from barter to Bitcoin.
- The core concepts of Blockchain and DLTs (Distributed Ledger Technologies) .
- A clear comparison of transaction models (UTXO, eUTXO, and Account-Based) .
- The successive generations of blockchains and their concrete use cases.
This segment intellectually prepared the audience, building a solid foundation before delving into Cardano’s specifics.
12:56 - 1:35 PM: A Deep Dive into the Cardano Ecosystem with Martin Musagara
Martin Musagara then captivated the audience with a comprehensive presentation of the Cardano ecosystem, structured around the theme: “Governance, Intersect, Founding Entities, and Project Catalyst.” He achieved the remarkable feat of simplifying complex concepts.
- An explanation of the Cardano blockchain : its technology, its philosophical vision, and the Ouroboros consensus mechanism.
- An overview of its founding entities and its evolving governance model moving toward full decentralization.
- A practical guide on how to engage : from holding and staking ADA to development and participation in Project Catalyst .
This presentation was the cornerstone of the event, delivering the holistic “360°” view it promised.
1:36 - 2:07 PM: The Practical Toolkit: Resources & Applications with Olivier
Returning for a second session, Olivier shifted from theory to pure practice . He equipped participants with the essential toolkit to navigate the ecosystem:
- Interaction Resources : Cardano Forum, r/cardano , @Cardano , Cardano announcements on telegram , Cardano on facebook , Cardano events ,
- Learning Resources : Cardano Blockchain Academy, Cardano and blockchain glossary. , Cardano developpers , etc…
- Essential Applications : A detailed walkthrough of wallets like Eternl, Yoroi, and Lace .
- Community Gateways : How to join and engage with communities on Twitter, Telegram, and Discord .
This sequence directly unlocked the next step for everyone: transitioning from observer to active participant.
2:08 - 2:20 PM: Insider Insights & Concrete Opportunity with Dan Baruka
A highlight of digital connection: Dan Baruka , a long-standing Cardano ambassador in the DRC, joined the Townhall remotely . His intervention focused on the Cardano Blockchain Academy . He not only explained how to participate but also announced a galvanizing opportunity: he would provide concrete support to enable the most diligent learners to take their certification exam in Kigali, Rwanda , a neighboring and easily accessible capital from Goma.
This announcement transformed learning into a tangible and accessible project , providing an immediate and motivating pathway forward.
2:20 - 2:35 PM: Kahoot Quiz & First ADA Rewards
The energy peaked with an interactive quiz competition via Kahoot , testing the grasp of key concepts covered throughout the day. The excitement was palpable. The top three scorers were rewarded with ADA , guiding them through creating their first wallet and receiving their first on-chain transaction. This activity tangibly and thrillingly materialized Cardano’s utility.
** Immediate Impact: A Community Sparked to Life**
The effects of this intensive day were immediate, demonstrating genuine engagement:
- Systematic integration of all new members into the official Cardano DRC WhatsApp community .
- Account creation on the Cardano Forum shortly after the event.
- Active subscriptions to dedicated Telegram and Discord channels.
- Immediate enrollment in Cardano Blockchain Academy courses by several participants, seizing the opportunity presented by Dan.
The formal event concluded with a networking cocktail , a time for informal exchange and photos, solidifying the connections made.
Conclusion: A Launchpad for Cardano’s Future in the DRC
Our foremost and sincerest gratitude goes to Catalyst Africa Townhall for believing in and funding this initiative, paving a new way for the Francophone community.
One key insight stands out: the event, capped at 40 attendees for logistical reasons, faced significantly higher demand . This very frustration is the most compelling evidence of the strong appetite for Cardano in the Goma region and the DRC at large.
The takeaway is clear: this event is not an endpoint, but a powerful launchpad . With repeat initiatives, increased support, and adapted resources , Cardano has the potential to establish a vibrant and sustainable presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Congolese community—talented and eager to learn—is ready to become an active and meaningful contributor within our global ecosystem.
Follow the Momentum & Join Us
- Follow Catalyst Africa Townhall on X : https://x.com/africa_townhall
- Follow Goma Hub on X : https://x.com/gomadrep
“We invite everyone—attendees and community members alike—to share your feedback, suggestions, or words of appreciation in the comments below.
Your insights are invaluable and will directly help us improve and build even stronger events for our next encounters in the DRC and beyond.”