Eric Annan

Eric Annan is a Ghanaian technology entrepreneur and the founder and chief executive of Aya, a curated marketplace that connects early-stage startups and fast-growing businesses with vetted African talent skilled in Web3 and digital work. Aya was accepted into the Techstars accelerator in 2023.

A path into blockchain

Annan has more than ten years of experience in the technology industry. His first business, in Nigeria, failed after running into regulatory hurdles. He has said a book about blockchain changed his outlook and set him on a mission to unlock the technology's potential in Africa.

In 2017 he founded Digitalkudi.com, which made it easier for people in Nigeria and Ghana to buy digital currency with local money. In 2018 he worked as a business consultant with Blockchain Advocate and co-founded the exchange KuBitX as its chief executive.

Aya

Aya grew from that experience. It focuses on the gap between the demand for blockchain and digital skills around the world and the large pool of young African talent that can meet it, vetting that talent and matching it with companies that need it. The Guardian in Nigeria has profiled his journey as an example of an African founder rebuilding after failure.