500 Blockchain Builder Initiative – Chamber of Digital Assets and Blockchain Innovation

The 500 Builders Initiative (500BI)

A Fully Virtual National Blockchain Development Program by CDABI-GH In Collaboration with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)

Overview

The 500 Builders Initiative (500BI) is a fully virtual 12-week national blockchain development training program launched by the Chamber of Digital Assets and Blockchain Innovations (CDABI-GH) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). It aims to train, mentor, and certify 500 Ghanaians with technical backgrounds in software engineering, systems architecture, and application development to become proficient blockchain developers and solution architects capable of building and deploying blockchain-based applications across key sectors.

Purpose

To establish a strong domestic developer ecosystem capable of building, maintaining, and scaling blockchain-based systems for finance, agriculture, health, energy, and governance.

Program Format

Mode: Fully Virtual (live and asynchronous sessions)
Duration: 12 Weeks
Sessions: 2 per week × 2 hours each (total 48 hours + project work)
Cohort model: Participants trained in cohorts of 50 per instructor to ensure high-quality mentorship and hands-on support
Platform: CDABI-GH Virtual Learning Hub (integrated with Zoom, GitHub, Slack, and VS Code Labs)
Structure: Core lectures, code labs, mentorship sessions, and capstone project development
Assessment: Continuous coding evaluations, peer reviews, and prototype demonstration

Technical Focus

The program is developer-centered — emphasizing coding, architecture design, smart contract programming, and system integration across leading blockchain platforms.

Core Technologies and Tools:

Ethereum / Solidity
Hedera Hashgraph SDK
Hyperledger Fabric
Chainlink & IPFS
Smart Contract Security & Auditing Tools
GitHub Collaboration & DevOps Integration

Target Participants

This program is open to technical professionals and advanced students with prior knowledge or experience in:

Eligibility:

Core Learning Modules

Foundations of Blockchain Development — Distributed ledgers, consensus, and network architectures; running local blockchain nodes and test networks.
Smart Contract Programming — Solidity fundamentals and ERC standards; contract deployment and auditing.
Decentralized Application (DApp) Development — Front-end integration with blockchain backends; Web3.js, MetaMask, and wallet interactions.
Enterprise Blockchain Frameworks — Permissioned networks with Hyperledger Fabric and Hedera; data interoperability and system integration
Blockchain APIs and Interconnectivity — RESTful APIs, Oracles, Chainlink, and crosschain protocols.
Security, Testing, and Deployment — Smart contract vulnerabilities, auditing, and secure DevOps pipelines.
Capstone Project Development — Team-based solution addressing Ghanaian sectoral challenges; final demo and peer code review.

Delivery Partners

The program is implemented in partnership with leading global and local blockchain organizations, ensuring technical excellence, mentorship, and incubation pathways for participants:

Binance – Blockchain developer masterclasses and startup mentorship.
Emtech – RegTech integration and sandbox collaboration.
Welo – Fintech integration and payment infrastructure.
Hedera – Enterprise blockchain training and mentorship.
Local Blockchain Tech Hubs & Companies – Ongoing mentorship, incubation, and accelerator programs for Ghanaian innovators.
CDABI-GH – National program coordination, certification, and partner liaison.

GETFund Collaboration

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) collaborates to make the program accessible, inclusive, and nationally scalable through:

Sponsoring training scholarships for qualified participants across all 16 regions.
Facilitating access to connectivity and devices for participants in underserved communities.
Integrating the program into tertiary and technical education digital skills pathways.
Co-endorsing certification with CDABI-GH as part of Ghana’s Blockchain Skills Development Framework.
Supporting expansion of CDABI’s Virtual Learning Infrastructure for nationwide access and inclusion.

Expected Outcomes

500 trained blockchain developers and architects certified in Ghana.
100+ blockchain-based prototypes addressing national priorities.
50 blockchain startups ready for incubation and scale-up.
30% female developer participation across cohorts.
Establishment of a National Blockchain Developer Registry hosted by CDABI-GH.

Certification

Graduates receive the ‘CDABI-GH Certified Blockchain Developer’ credential, co-endorsed by GETFund and delivery partners — recognizing technical excellence, innovation capability, and adherence to ethical and security best practices.

Post-Training Pathways

CDABI Builders Network – Continued learning, mentorship, and collaboration on national blockchain projects.
Blockchain Innovation Fellowship – Incubation and accelerator support for topperforming teams.
Industry Placement – Placement opportunities with fintechs, DeFi platforms, and government digital projects.
Research & Policy Contribution – Opportunities to contribute to NITA and CDABI-GH blockchain policy initiatives.

Institutional Partners

Lead Implementer: Chamber of Digital Assets and Blockchain Innovations (CDABI-GH)
Government Collaborators: National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)
Delivery Partners: Binance, Emtech, Welo, Hedera, and local blockchain tech hubs
Funding Partners: CDABI Members, Binance, Welo, Hedera, Emtech

Vision

To establish Ghana as West Africa’s premier hub for blockchain development and digital trust infrastructure, producing a generation of skilled, ethical, and innovative blockchain developers.

Educational Background Requirement

Applicants must have a technical or quantitative educational background that supports software and systems development. The program welcomes applicants from the following areas:

Minimum Educational Requirement

Tertiary education: A minimum of a Diploma, Higher National Diploma (HND), Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent qualification in a STEM-related discipline, preferably in:

Computer Science / Software Engineering
Information Technology or Information Systems
Electrical / Electronic Engineering
Telecommunications
Data Science / Statistics / Applied Mathematics
Cybersecurity or Network Engineering

Alternative Pathways: Applicants without formal tertiary education may also be considered if they possess practical experience or certifications in programming, application development, or system integration — for example:

Preferred Additional Skills

Educational Qualification Summary Table

Category	Minimum Requirement	Preferred Disciplines	Alternate Entry Route
Academic Qualification	Diploma / HND / Bachelor’s	Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Mathematics	Equivalent professional certifications
Professional Background	1+ year in software, systems, or app development	Blockchain, Fintech, Cloud, or Data Systems	Verified practical experience / project portfolio
Technical Proficiency	Basic coding and system logic	Python, JavaScript, Solidity	GitHub or project demonstration

Key Selection Principle

CDABI-GH emphasizes competence over credentials — meaning applicants who can demonstrate practical skill and a growth mindset in technology will be given equal opportunity, even if they do not hold advanced academic degrees. This hybrid approach allows both university graduates and self-taught developers to participate and grow under structured national mentorship.