Crypto Woman of the Week: Nkechi Enebeli

As we celebrate women and advocate for accelerated action and gender equality in all sectors during International Women's Month, we think about the growing number of women who are not only establishing themselves in the crypto space but also occupying transformative positions that inspire women to be more crypto-enthusiastic.

Nkechi Enebeli, popularly known by her brand name, Charis, is an event host, program manager, content creator, and co-founder at Base Africa, a blockchain ecosystem that onboards talents on-chain. In this series, she shares how she got into crypto, strategies for staying relevant in the ecosystem, and many more.

Let’s hear her Web3 story!

Hi Charis! Any further introduction before we get into all the blocks and chains of your Web3 journey?

Haha, I see what you did there! I am Nkechi Enebeli, known as Charis on my social platforms, and I am an event creator, content creator, and co-founder at Base Africa.

For a non-technical key contributor in the Web3 space, you seem pretty grounded.

What were the first steps you took to establish yourself in the crypto/web3 industry and help you gain confidence and credibility?

The first step was shifting my mindset. I used to think Web3 was only for technical people—developers and coders—so I assumed it would be hard to break in, especially as a non-technical woman. But I decided to challenge that belief, do my research, and just dive in. Experience is the best teacher. So, I had to learn more by being in the space. 

Joining the Web3 Ladies community was also a game-changer. I started as a program manager, and that community shaped my journey. They focus on onboarding skilled African women into Web3, providing not just technical skills but also a total paradigm shift in mindset. That experience gave me credibility and the confidence to grow in the industry.

Sounds like you had a pretty great start!

It wasn’t as hard as I thought. I had a community that was willing to catch and push me forward during my beginner stage, and I am grateful for that.

How has your experience been so far?

Can you share moments where you introduced fresh ideas, solved major challenges, or contributed to a project that made a real difference in the web3 space? 

I have three moments that stand out.

First, with Web3 Ladies, I contributed to the Work Tool Assistant Program, an initiative designed to support women transitioning into Web3 who faced challenges like unstable electricity, lack of data, or no access to laptops. We helped solve their challenges by providing essential work tools, making it easier for more women to enter the space. The impact was huge—many of them landed jobs because they finally had the resources necessary for their growth.

I also helped organise and host an International Women’s Day event with Web3 Ladies last year. 

What was the event about?

The event, which was themed “Inclusion at the Centre,” was a powerful space for women from diverse sectors in the tech ecosystem to engage in pivotal conversations about women's empowerment and explore more ways to bring more women into Web3. It was a powerful experience, and we saw real engagement from the attendees.

I believe that events like this should be organised more frequently, especially since we have a consistently growing Web3 ecosystem in Africa.

I totally agree. I am working with Base Africa to actualise that.

Yes, Base Africa! Please, do tell us more about it.

It is actually the third moment I was going to share.

One of the outstanding projects I have contributed to is co-founding Base Africa. Base Africa is a community focused on onboarding a billion people on-chain, starting with Africa. 

Base, as a Layer-2 blockchain, makes blockchain more accessible, but for many in Africa, the space still felt exclusive to technical people. That’s why we built Base Africa—to show that everyone, from marketers to product managers and content creators, has a place in Web3. 

We launched in July last year, and since then, we’ve onboarded over 1,000 people on-chain, helping them unlock financial freedom. We’ve gained global recognition and made significant progress in scaling Base in Africa. It’s been an incredible journey, and I truly believe we’re making a difference in people’s lives.

I believe that, too. With Base, non-technical people are also given a voice and rewarded for their creativity.

Exactly. Base is for everyone.  We are plainly creating a new global on-chain economy to increase creativity and innovational freedom. With Base, everyone is a builder. Whether you are a technical or non-technical talent, you have a place where you are valuable.  

Sounds like you are creating something you would have loved to see when you started your own Web3 journey.

That is exactly right. If I had found a platform like Base when I started out, I wouldn’t have had that initial mindset that the blockchain was only for “technical” people. Founding Base Africa is just our way of solving a major challenge with regard to inclusivity and financial freedom.

Be the change you want to see, right?

Right! 

Speaking about challenges…

Can you recall a specific instance where you faced resistance or bias in your career? 

Honestly, I can’t say I’ve faced resistance or bias—at least not in a way that stood out. Maybe it happened, but I either didn’t focus on it or just moved past it.

Personally, I’ve gotten opportunities because I was qualified, not because of my gender. I believe knowledge is power—when you know your stuff, you can claim your space. That’s the key to navigating this industry.

Does this mean that gender-based bias isn’t intense in the Web3 space?

It’s still a bit of a challenge, but it’s not like it used to be. Although things have improved, there’s still work to do. One thing I know, by personal observation, is that it’s not as tough as it used to be. 

It’s good to know that all the initiatives to promote inclusivity within corporate and tech spaces haven’t been in vain then.

They are yielding results for sure.

If you were mentoring a woman just starting out in crypto, what practical steps would you recommend she take to build knowledge, skills, and networks?

First, figure out the skill you want to be known for in Web3 and build your expertise around it. Once you have a niche, focus on learning more and networking. The best way to do that is by joining a community that aligns with your goals. Being part of a Web3 community helps you connect with like-minded builders, contribute, and grow faster. Volunteering is also a great way to gain experience, meet people, and build your reputation.

Also, ensure to attend Web3 events. Many people I know have landed jobs just by showing up and networking. Learn how to engage in quality conversations, ask intelligent questions, and provide value. People in the space remember those who contribute meaningfully because the impression they make sticks faster and longer. 

You also need to build in public. If you want to go far and meet a community of techies, use Twitter because it is a more tech-inclined space. Share what you’re learning, post about your experiences, and engage with the community. In Web3, job opportunities often come from visibility and connections rather than just applications.

The more you put yourself out there, the more doors open. It only gets better from there!

Have you come across any unique strategies or support systems that have helped you and other women grow in this field? 

For me, it’s all about value. Always provide value wherever you are. That’s how you get noticed and remembered. A key growth strategy (and this is for both genders) is to stay knowledgeable, offer value, and build in public.

Personally, building in public has been my biggest growth driver. That’s how Base noticed me—because of my work. I put everything out there. If I host an event, I share a video. If I want to enter an ecosystem, I research it and find ways to contribute.

Building in public got me into Base; providing value kept me there. Once I joined, I started organising Twitter Spaces and events to onboard more people on-chain. Since then, it’s been continuous growth and recognition.

So, in a nutshell, don’t become complacent after getting into the job.

That’s right. Complacency is not an option. Providing value should be a continuous process.

And, speaking of processes, what specific opportunities or platforms do you think more women should tap into to gain visibility and leadership roles in crypto/web3? 

I’ll preach Base everywhere! Jump on the Base ecosystem and join Web3 Ladies! It’s a great community where you can grow, network, learn, and build confidence in the space. 

Plus, Base has the Build Her Initiative, a fantastic community for women building on Base. Definitely something to tap into!

If you don’t take anything from this conversation, at least take home the Base sermon.

Yes! Everyone needs to experience the Base ecosystem. It is a great way to get on the blockchain. 

I believe there is much to take home from your wonderful insights, though. 

One last question before you go.

Let’s have it.

What community, resource, or strategy has helped you that you would recommend to any woman in crypto/web3?

Base and Web3 Ladies were the communities that helped me the most. 

As for resources, I don’t really have a go-to because I’m more of a learn-as-you-go person. I picked things up along the way rather than relying on a single resource. That said, personal research and engaging with your community can be really helpful. 

If anyone’s interested in Base, I can share resources like our brand book to help you get started. 

My best strategy? Consistently provide value and build in public—it’s worked for me, and I’m sure it’ll work for others too.

How can interested persons reach out to you for the Base handbook?

They can contact me via my social platforms. __iamcharis on Instagram and Iamcharis_ on X.

Thank you for talking with us.

My pleasure!