Proposed location: Kampala, Uganda
Why is Kampala [name of suggested city] a great place to host Ethereum events?
[High-level overview]
Kampala, the bustling capital city of Uganda, holds immense potential as a strategic hub for hosting regional Ethereum events. Positioned at the heart of East Africa, Kampala offers a dynamic environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and economic growth across the region.
Here’s why Kampala stands out as an ideal candidate for a regional Ethereum event:
Country and Entry
1. What are the visa restrictions for the country?
Uganda offers relatively lenient visa policies for many nationalities, with options for visa on arrival and e-visa applications. This facilitates easy entry for international participants and can be fact checked via Passport Index
As a member of the East African community, a number of regional neighbors can enter the country visa-free for up to 90 days as per trade policies within the trade block.
2. How easy is the international access?
Entering Uganda is relatively straightforward, with international flights connecting Kampala to major cities across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The main access for international guests is through Entebbe International Airport; roughly 1 hour drive from the city center with convenient access through the expressway. The airport was recently expanded to accommodate increased traffic of foreign visitors.
Regionally, it is a landlocked country sharing borders with 5 other countries which can all access the country by land, water and air ports.
3. What about the safety and political stability of the region?
Uganda maintains a stable political environment, with Kampala being considered safe for visitors and conducive to hosting international events.
4. How expensive are venue rentals, accommodation, food, and transport?
Most of the costs related to accommodation, food and transportation are relatively affordable compared to more developed cities. Venue costs might vary depending on the chosen venue.
Kampala offers a diverse local cuisine with options to cater to different dietary preferences.
Many parts of the city are easily accessible via transportation apps.
5. When is the climate the best?
The country enjoys rainy and dry seasons throughout the year alternating roughly in 3-month spans.
The best time to host events in Kampala is during the dry season, from June to September, or January to march when the weather is typically pleasant and conducive for outdoor activities.
City and Venue
1. How easy is the transportation in the city (between venues, airport, etc.)?
Transportation to and from the airport is available with airport taxis or pre-arranged transport means and mobility apps like Uber and other ride hailing apps.
Within the city, ride hailing apps are the best bet.
2. Are there modern venues (WiFi/Maneuverability/Catering)?
Yes, there are a number of modern event venues equipped with these all these amenities, ensuring a seamless experience for event organizers and attendees.
3. Are there venues with the capacity to host between 5-10k+ people?
Yes, Kampala features a number of modern event venues equipped with these all these amenities, ensuring a seamless experience for event organizers and attendees.
Speke Resort Convention Center - Munyonyo
The newly completed multipurpose auditorium at the Speke Resort Munyonyo has a capacity of 4,400 guests with additional facilities such as a multipurpose hall, conference rooms, and a 900 seater floating restaurant with a stunning view of Lake Victoria.
This expansive facility is set amidst a luxurious 105-acre resort complex with combined capacity of upto 17,000 guests in conference and meeting settings. It also has accommodation and leisure facilities which provides an ideal setting for large-scale events, making it a standout choice for hosting gatherings of significant magnitude in the region.
Kampala Serena Hotel
This property is a 5 star hotel located within the city center with its largest auditorium having up to 1,500 capacity. The location also has a variety of facilities for smaller gatherings. In total the property has a capacity to host between 2,500 - 4,000 delegates depending on arrangement. (Details for venue rentals and menus linked in page) Closeness to other high-end locations is an added advantage.
UICT Nakawa
The National ICT Hub at UICT is strategically positioned as a hub for innovators and entrepreneurs with shared workspace facilities. It is aimed at supporting the growth of homegrown tech-solutions. The space also includes a smaller auditorium that is perfect for reaching this target audience.
IUEA Auditorium
The International University of East Africa has one of the largest auditorium facilities with a capacity of upto 1,500 seats ideal for student focused events as it is located at a local University. The university not only hosts students from all over Africa, but is also very progressive in their activities.
4. What are attractions in or around the city, and how close are they to the venue?
Closest to the venue is the National Museum and the Uganda wildlife center, there’s a variety of leisure activities at the resort however, most of the main tourist attractions (and indeed more interesting stuff e.g game parks, gorilla trekking, water rafting etc) are further out of the city.
Ethereum Community and Impact
1. How does the Ethereum community look like in this region (e.g.: existing large community/ small but growing rapidly, etc.)?
While the Ethereum community in Uganda and neighboring countries may still be in its early stages, there is a growing interest in blockchain technology and crypto adoption, driven by local enthusiasts, developers, and entrepreneurs alike.
2. What is the potential of Ethereum to have an impact in that region?
Hosting a regional Ethereum event in Kampala can catalyze collaboration, knowledge sharing, and ecosystem development across East Africa, fostering partnerships and initiatives that drive blockchain innovation and the adoption of web3 use cases in the region.
There is a need to develop fundamental understanding of web3 technologies in the country and this would be a great opportunity for Ethereum to collaborate on.
3. Which event would be ideal here? (i.e. Devcon, Devconnect, or another type of Ethereum community event)
Hosting a large regional event like “ETH Kampala” would be ideal for engaging diverse stakeholders from the region and neighboring countries, and implementing targeted strategies for regional growth and strengthening the Ethereum community.
Devcon and Devconnect could also be considered, as the city has enough venues to accommodate the numbers. However, this will require more consideration due to the time needed to organize such large events.
4.How is hosting events in that city benefiting the Ethereum ecosystem?
Hosting events in Kampala helps expand the Ethereum community by reaching new audiences from East Africa and beyond. This broadens diversity and collaboration within the ecosystem, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas. Additionally, these events raise awareness about Ethereum and web3 technology, making complex concepts understandable and showcasing real-world applications. By educating and inspiring attendees, they contribute to broader adoption of Ethereum solutions across diverse industries and sectors in East Africa. Moreover, these events serve as platforms to educate and nurture new tech talent, further fueling market expansion and adoption.
This event provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among local and international stakeholders, including developers, researchers, investors, and policymakers. These interactions can deepen the ecosystem, catalyze innovation, and drive growth, ultimately advancing the development and adoption of Web3 technology. Partnerships forged during the event offer opportunities for knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and joint initiatives, accelerating Ethereum adoption and impact in East Africa.
Concerns and Downsides
Every location has its pros and cons. It’s important to also consider the potential downsides.
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What are possible risks?
Similar to other regions, the primary risk involves the uncertainty surrounding regulatory frameworks for blockchain and cryptocurrency activities in Uganda and neighboring countries. While there has been progress towards creating a more favorable environment with input from regulators, it remains a work in progress. -
What could be the downsides?
Kampala may have limited options for venues capable of singlehandedly accommodating large-scale events with thousands of attendees especially side events. However, I firmly believe the above-mentioned venues would be ideal.
Additional Information
Please add any extra information you want.
