An Evening with Lars, an exclusive cocktail event held on Thursday, 14th of April 2022 at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos, was an engaging and insightful meeting with Lars Seier Christensen, Chairman of Concordium Foundation. Concordium is a pro-regulation blockchain with built-in identity at a Layer 1 protocol and smart contracts. Learn more here
At the event, various tech startup founders, policymakers and blockchain experts were in attendance, as Lars shared his vision of blockchain technology adoption in Nigeria. While acknowledging that crypto adoption was significant in Nigeria, Lars emphasized the need for the Nigerian tech community to explore more use cases of blockchain in areas beyond crypto trading;
“I think that blockchain is potentially the next internet…This space tends to be dominated by focus on the crypto aspect of blockchain. Now the crypto (coins, tokens) are not really the important thing about blockchain, the important thing about blockchain is blockchain.”
When asked how Concordium plans to drive blockchain adoption in Nigeria considering the CBN crypto ban, Lars asserted that;
“While Concordium plans to engage with relevant policymakers, I believe that promoting use cases of blockchain in other sectors beyond crypto is vital. Concordium will be introducing a hackathon where local innovators can explore various use cases. We are open to funding eligible projects. Concordium is in Nigeria for the long term.”
Below are some pictures from the event;
Lars giving a Keynote Speech
Guests listening & networking
Lars responding to questions
Senator Ihenyen (SiBAN) looks on
Dr. Babatunde Obrimah (FintechNGR)
Tomi Amida (LaToken) & Gerald Konwea (SpottR)
Tunde Onakoya (ChessInSlums) shares an idea with Lars
Aproko Doctor (100k Club)
Rotus Oddiri (Arise News)
A Cross section of Lars with various founders and guests
Lars with BCS Africa Team
Lars expressed his interest in encouraging and supporting blockchain innovation, education, and crypto regulation. Lars is fond of Nigeria, for many reasons. Married to a Nigerian woman, Lars disclosed that he admires the creative, energetic and younger demography in Nigeria. Lars believes that the country’s potential is huge. His four daughters, Lars disclosed, have Nigerian names. He also added that he enjoys Nigerian Music and Nigerian Jollof (In your face, Ghana Jollof! Lol)
An Evening with Lars was “an exclusive networking event aimed at achieving synergy with key players in various sectors, recognizing opportunities and kicking things off to a future of great partnership”, says Concordium. It was an evening of visionary thoughts, networking, cocktails and plenty of smiles.
This event, along with the welfare & trip logistics of Lars Seier Christensen was organized and managed by the BCS Africa team.
Bobby is a media personality and academy lead at Earnathon. He is passionate about cryptocurrency and the blockchain technology, as well as the value it drives in the present global economy. He is a freelance writer, actor and voice over artist. He enjoys cooking, singing and networking.