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I've always found that you've got to start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology. You can't start with the technology and then figure out where you're gonna try to sell it!
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Steve Jobs' statement was right in 1997, and is still valid in 2025
Baobab.Zone CO – Building Africa’s First Tokenized Community
INTRODUCTION
Why Africa?
There are several strong reasons to launch such a large-scale project in Africa — a continent of over 1.5 billion people.
- Firstly, the market is still relatively untapped, with very little competition compared to other regions.
- Secondly, there’s a unique opportunity to build from the ground up. In Europe and America, legacy systems — like banks and tech monopolies — dominate the landscape. These institutions generate massive profits and will fiercely protect their outdated models. Starting fresh in Africa means we’re not fighting against entrenched structures.
- Thirdly, Africa boasts a rapidly growing, youthful population: the average age is just 18.6 years (compared to 31.2 in Asia, 38.9 in the U.S., and 41.7 in Europe). Our core audience — young, ambitious, and digitally native — is already on the rise.
- Fourthly, internet penetration in Africa reached around 43% by mid-2022 (compared to the global average of 68%). This is a nearly 4.3x increase since 2010 — and for us, the most exciting metric is growth. The digital future of Africa is unfolding fast, and we’re here to shape it.
To bridge this gap, we’ve developed a classifieds app — a service that’s currently underrepresented in Africa but in high demand. This approach allows us to build a large, engaged, and brand-loyal community , which we can then gradually introduce to our broader range of digital and financial services.
Our initial plan was to launch in the Democratic Republic of Congo — a country with over 106 million people (as of 2024) and a largely untapped digital market. However, due to ongoing instability, we’ve shifted our focus to Namibia , where similar digital services are nearly nonexistent.
We selected Namibia as our launch market due to its relatively stable environment, manageable regulatory landscape, and lack of existing solutions. This allows us to refine our product and operational model before expanding into larger, more competitive markets like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria..
Market Entry Mechanism: Leveraging Classified Advertising to Penetrate the African Market
law of category
Instead of competing with Facebook in social networks, we’re building a community around classified ads — a practical, high-demand service. This gives us a natural platform to introduce financial tools and tokens, creating real value from the ground up.
Classifieds are in high demand across Africa due to limited local competition and a growing need for accessible, peer-to-peer commerce. By launching a simple, mobile-first classifieds app tailored to local needs, we can:
- Attract a large user base quickly , even among first-time internet users.
- Build brand awareness and trust through a service that directly addresses everyday needs — buying, selling, and connecting locally.
- Create a loyal community , which becomes our core audience for gradual onboarding to additional services such as digital payments, financial tools, and investment platforms.
- Introduce token-based incentives (Baobean utility tokens) to encourage engagement and early adoption of blockchain-enabled features in a seamless, non-disruptive way.
- By starting with a universally understood service — classifieds — we create a bridge between traditional offline economies and the future of Web3 , making innovation accessible, relevant, and user-driven.
- At the heart of our vision stands Baobab — the symbolic hero and living prototype of our brand. Born in Africa, Baobab carries a powerful mission: to unite Africans across the continent and beyond, empowering them to not only catch up with today’s global leaders but to surpass them.
- Baobab represents strength, resilience, and interconnectedness — just like the legendary tree that bears its name. Through this character, we tell a story of progress rooted in African identity, fueled by innovation, and driven by community.
- As we roll out our ecosystem — from digital services to blockchain-powered tools — Baobab becomes more than a mascot. He becomes a symbol of empowerment , guiding users on a journey from tradition to transformation, from local communities to the global stage.
since 1999 in africa
Some of our team members bring over 25 years of business experience in Namibia and across Africa.
We also have deep community ties , including validated members from both Namibia and DRC, ensuring cultural insight, local trust, and on-the-ground expertise at every level of our operations.
First in Class. First in Market.
"It’s better to be first than it is to be better."
— The Law of Leadership, #1 of The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
In Namibia, we’re not just entering the market — we’re defining it.
There’s currently no dedicated classifieds platform that meets local needs. While Facebook Marketplace has users, it lacks functionality and focus. That’s where we come in.
We’re building the first purpose-driven classifieds app for Africa — starting in Namibia — creating real value through simplicity, accessibility, and community trust.
Being first gives us more than a head start — it gives us the chance to shape the future of digital commerce on the continent.
Locally Rooted. Globally Recognized.
The Baobab brand was born in Africa — created, tested, and trusted by local communities.
BAOBAB® and BAOBAB.ZONE® are officially registered trademarks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Namibia , and with the ARIPO (were also filed with OAPI and South Africa), ensuring legal protection and recognition across key markets.
These aren’t just names — they’re validated brands , built with deep cultural insight and designed to grow with Africa’s digital future.
All Online. Fully Focused.
By using virtual offices and call center services , we minimize the need for local hires, office space, and logistics — significantly reducing overhead while maintaining efficiency and scalability across African markets.
This lean, digital-first approach allows us to stay agile, cost-effective, and fully focused on delivering value where it matters most: online, on time, and on target.
Marketing Begins in the Mind
"Marketing is not a battle of products. It’s a battle of perception."
— The Law of Perception, #4 of The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
Before users meet our app, they’ll meet “Baobab - Rescue Ranger”, our cartoon hero crafted to represent strength, unity, and progress.
Through engaging animated stories tied to local values and future messaging, we’re shaping how communities perceive our brand — long before launch.When the app goes live, these stories evolve into ads, continuing to build trust and recognition in a market ready for us.
We don’t just build apps. We build meaning.
Learning from the Masters. Building for the Future.
"The right way is to learn what your predecessors did — and then move on."
We’re not reinventing the wheel. We’re learning from the best.
Inspired by successful models like Avito , Samokat , and Craigslist — yes, the smartest business that in 2016 made $690M in revenue with $500M net income — we're building on proven strategies, adapted to local African realities.
This is how we avoid trial and error.
This is how we move fast — and get it right.
progress
ONLY A FEW STEPS LEFT BEFORE we START
1. Technology & Product Development:
✅ Front-end and back-end integration completed; final testing near completion
✅ Web versions for users and professional accounts are being finalized
✅ Preparing to integrate a token-based bonus system
✅ SMS APIs for OTP and ad services implemented via Telesign
✅ Payment monetization integrated via Stripe
✅ Fully remote operations with internal CRM and customer support handled via JivoChat
2. Marketing & Branding:
✅ Over 20 baobab-related domain names secured with various TLDs
✅ Social media following growing rapidly across platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Telegram — tens of thousands of engaged followers
✅ YouTube cartoon series "Baobab – Rescue Ranger" launched with strong viewership; next episode aligned with app launch
✅ Cartoon premiered successfully on major African TV channels:
- RTNC (DRC) – national broadcast with millions of viewers
- Antenne A, B-One, Tele 50 , and NBC Namibia
- T-shirts, mugs, posters, souvenirs
- 3D-printed kiosk for crypto/fiat exchange and service consultations
- E-bikes for on-the-ground marketing and retail outreach
3. Vertical Integration & Related Services:
Baobab.taxi , Baobab.doctor , Baobab.delivery , Baobab.loan
- Baobab Stream Service for entertainment and education
📚 Developing a rubricator (comprehensive directory) linking public services and businesses:
Schools, universities, clinics, and more
💼 Launching B2B/B2G portal : afri-afro-biz-pro-gov.baobab.zone
For Pan-African business and government communication
4. Horizontal Expansion & Brand Licensing:
🏷️ Planning third-party licensing opportunities: Royalty-based brand usage after quality checks
📣 Using our growing audience base to help merchants accelerate product adoption and market entry
5. Geographical Growth Strategy:
🌍 Targeting high-potential neighboring markets:
- Reusing successful strategies from Namibia , adapted locally
- Testing key services in Namibia first — then scaling fast and affordably: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, DRC, Ethiopia
- And enter competitive markets — such as South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria — with a fully refined and battle-tested product.
🔁 Reusing successful Namibian online/offline strategies , adapting them to local cultures
💡 Only the best-performing services tested in Namibia will be rolled out in new countries — reducing costs and time-to-market significantly
This is what our app's landing page will look like:
We Created
🚀 A Revolution in Apps
We’re redefining how people connect with goods, services, and opportunities — right from their phones.
With Baobab.Zone, you’ll always know:
✅ What’s available
📍 Where to find it
💰 And how much it costs
No more bulky apps or constant updates.
Our Progressive Web App (PWA) takes up less space than a few text messages — fast, smart, and always ready.
OUR mission
To eradicate digital slavery , combat enshittification , and counter financial nihilism
The Evolution of Slavery — And the Path to Digital Liberation
Slavery has not disappeared — it has evolved.
In feudalism , people were bound by land ownership — their freedom taken through control of the earth beneath their feet.
Under capitalism , labor became a commodity — workers were alienated from the means of production.
In the Web2 era , data became the new currency — and billions unknowingly became its exploited producers.
Today, our digital lives are owned by a few global tech giants. We generate value with every click, search, and post — but we receive nothing in return. This is digital slavery , masked as free service.
The recent global outage caused by CrowdStrike is a wake-up call: centralized monopolies — whether corporate or governmental — are fragile, dangerous, and ultimately unsustainable.
Any monopoly that isn’t naturally formed by market conditions is harmful . Centralized power always leads to exploitation.
By placing the tools of digital production directly in the hands of users — especially Africa’s young, ambitious, and connected generation — we are building a future where decentralization defeats domination , and community creates value.
No more silent exploitation.
No more gatekeepers.
Just freedom , fairness , and ownership.
🎙️ Ending Financial Nihilism with Purpose & Power:
“What happens to a generation that sees no future?”
That’s the question at the heart of financial nihilism.
Today’s youth are losing hope — not out of laziness or apathy, but because the system has failed them. They look at real estate prices, stock markets, and wages — and realize something painful:
"Even if they work hard, save diligently, and play by the rules…
They'll never afford what their grandparents did — not in this lifetime."
This growing gap between dreams and reality breeds disconnection, despair, and a dangerous loss of motivation.
But here's the truth:
The problem isn't them. It's the system.
🌍 The Global Crisis of Access:
Financial nihilism isn’t just a local issue — it’s global.
Whether you're in the U.S., Europe, or Africa, young people face the same impossible math.
- Housing? Unaffordable.
- Investments? Out of reach.
- Financial independence? A fantasy.
So we ask:
What if we changed the narrative?
What if, instead of chasing excess, we returned to purpose?
🔄 The Epoch of Resumption
A time when people value what they need over what they want to show.
- A car is transportation, not a flex.
- A home is shelter, not a status symbol.
- Food is nourishment, not a photo op.
And with that shift, motivation returns — because goals become achievable again.
🧠 Baobab Ecosystem: A Client-Centric Revolution
At the heart of our mission is a simple belief:
"People are not users. They are partners."
From personalized product recommendations to tailored access to financing and investment opportunities, everything is designed around the individual — not mass-market noise.
With predictive analytics, we also give global manufacturers real-time insights into African consumer markets — opening doors for smarter, more inclusive trade.
And unlike tech giants who fall into the trap of enshittification , we stay grounded in one core principle:
"See the soul among the digits."
That’s not just our motto — it’s our mission.
💱 Baobean: Tokenizing Empowerment
To make change stick, we bring blockchain into the equation.
First comes Baocent , our bonus unit — rewarding early adopters and loyal users with special access and benefits.
Then comes Baobean , our meme token (then utility token) — your key to fast, fair, and decentralized finance.
Integrated with Baobab security tokens , Baobean gives everyone — even those with no savings — automatic access to growing investment products through DAOs , with no entry threshold .
This is how we democratize wealth-building.
❤️ Baobab Mercy Fund: Restoring Hope
We don’t just build apps — we build communities.
Through the Baobab Mercy Fund , we spread the idea of purposeful living across Africa. We educate, inspire, and empower young people to reject false values — and embrace realistic, fulfilling goals.
Together, we’re forming a new generation:
United by shared values.
Empowered by technology.
Free from financial nihilism.
🌳 Final Word
Baobab.Zone isn’t just a platform.
It’s a movement — toward ownership, dignity, and self-determination.
We believe in a world where young Africans aren’t left behind — but lead the way.
Join us.
Let’s grow together.
Sustainable Development Goals
we are together
We support all global sustainable development goals, but here we’ve highlighted the ones most aligned with our mission and the Baobab ecosystem.
While international organizations draft declarations, we’re focused on action:
1.1.1 Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line by sex, age, employment status and geographic location (urban/rural);
8.b.1 Existence of a developed and operationalized national strategy for youth employment, as a distinct strategy or as part of a national employment strategy;
12.1.1 Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production;
17.8.1 Proportion of individuals using the Internet.
Goal 1.1.1/C010101
Users of our app will gradually transition from internal to external payment methods using our Baobean cryptocurrency , which is seamlessly integrated into our investment services. In doing so, all our partners will naturally participate in the investment process — and have the opportunity to earn meaningful returns.
Goal 8.b.1/C080b01
We aim to address two critical psychological challenges among young people:
First , financial nihilism — the belief that there is no real path to achieving personal or financial goals.
Second , a lack of faith in their own country — the feeling that success is only possible abroad.
Through the Baobab Mercy Fund , we are working to overcome both, restoring hope, purpose, and pride in local communities.
One key technical challenge we’re solving is the mismatch between job seekers and employers. Many young people are unemployed not due to a lack of opportunities, but because of the absence of an effective platform connecting talent with work.
The Baobab.Zone app is designed to close this gap — making opportunity visible, accessible, and real.
Goal 12.1.1/C120101
In our view, the shift toward rational consumption must begin not at the level of global institutions, but at the grassroots — with individuals. Through the Baobab Mercy Fund , we aim to introduce the concept of the Epoch of Resumption , which emphasizes necessity over excess.
Think of the early 20th century, when people were content with two suits, two pairs of shoes (everyday and formal), and one home — living with purpose, not possessions.
We advocate for a rejection of hedonism and a return to meaningful living. Africa offers a unique opportunity to start this movement, as its population has not yet been deeply influenced by the culture of luxury and overconsumption that dominates so-called developed nations.
Once this mindset takes root among individuals, applying it to production and business will become a natural and manageable next step.
Goal 17.8.1/C170801
First, many African countries already have a sufficient number of internet service providers offering affordable connectivity. Yet internet penetration remains low. In our view, the key challenge is not infrastructure — it’s building a culture of internet consumption . Many people still don’t own smartphones, and part of our mission is to use offline promotion of the Baobab.Zone app to show them the value of owning an internet-connected device.
Through the Baobab.Zone app, we aim to help Africa leapfrog outdated digital stages. The first leap will be from having no online presence at all , straight to a strong, professional representation on our SaaS platform — no need to build personal websites or navigate complex tools.
The second leap is even more powerful: from offline straight into Web3 . Unlike in developed markets, Africa has not been dominated by global IT monopolies. This gives us a unique opportunity to build a decentralized, user-driven digital ecosystem — without having to fight entrenched corporate control.
creators
team of like-minded people
system architect
ruslan korolev
Those who do not know where they are going will be very surprised if they find themselves in the wrong place
ADMINISTRATION
Pauline manga
It doesn't matter what color the skin is, what matters is what it's stretched over.
marketing manager
daniil petrov
The deputy is not the second person, but the first person in second place
project manager
Andron narinsky
There is only one good - knowledge, and only one evil - ignorance
We’re preparing the market in advance for the arrival of Baobab products by:
Warming up the audience - Building strong brand awareness and loyalty - Increasing long-term brand retention
You can already see the growing engagement across our social networks. By following us, you’ll be among the first to know when we officially launch our app.👉 Find all our social channels in one place: baobab.zone
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