Nigerian Tech & Real Estate Founder Chidera Okonkwo Emerges Winner of PalmPay World Travel Carnival 2025, Set to Explore Global Markets

December was packed with action, drama and opportunity, and the PalmPay World Travel Carnival event delivered on every front. As 2025 drew to a close, the digital finance giant transformed the holiday season into a lifechanging arena, sharing a staggering ₦400 million in prizes among its vibrant user base. Amidst the frenzy of rewards and giveaways, one name stood out among the top-tier winners: Chidera Valentine Okonkwo.

The young founder, known for his work bridging the gap between Web3 and physical infrastructure, secured the highly coveted Round 3 trip to Sydney, Australia. The win was a family affair, as his cousin, Ifeanyi Amaechi, also emerged victorious, clinching a Round 3 trip to Cape Town, South Africa. For Okonkwo, this wasn’t just a stroke of luck—it was an opportunity he refused to let pass him by.

A Research Mission for BrickForte Ltd

While many see a trip to Sydney as a simple vacation, Okonkwo views it through the clinical eye of a developer, treating the journey as a strategic research expedition for his venture, BrickForte Ltd. He sees the “Emerald City” as a living laboratory of architectural innovation and urban tech. “This win helps me even more as it’s my 4th country,” Chidera explains. “It’ll help me see diverse architecture and designs, and I hope to bring those back home, so it’s a win for BrickForte Ltd too. Expect something massive!”

Okonkwo intends to study Sydney’s smart building technologies and sustainable urban design to adapt these global standards for the Nigerian market, where BrickForte is already pioneering smart homes and quality residential builds from its base in Lekki, Lagos. This mission aligns with his “Code to Concrete” philosophy—a concept previously highlighted in his feature with TechCabal, where he was recognized for bridging Web3 innovation and real estate. “I’m not just going to see the Opera House and Bondi Beach,” he says with a laugh. “I want to understand how they’ve integrated technology into their built environment and what lessons we can apply to what we’re building here in Nigeria.”

Homegrown Success: From Anambra to the Global Stage

Okonkwo’s win is emblematic of a larger story—the rise of young Nigerian entrepreneurs who are competing and winning on national and digital stages while building legitimate businesses at home. Growing up in Onitsha, Anambra State, and now operating between the high-growth corridors of Lagos and his hometown, he represents a generation of founders who refuse to be limited by geography.

“There’s incredible talent brewing in Anambra, Lagos, and across Nigeria,” he notes. “We’re not just participating in these competitions for the prizes. We’re showing that Nigerian youth can build real companies, manage complex projects, and hold our own anywhere in the world.”

Homegrown Success: From Anambra to the Global Stage

Okonkwo’s win is emblematic of a larger story—the rise of young Nigerian entrepreneurs who are competing and winning on national and digital stages while building legitimate businesses at home. Growing up in Onitsha, Anambra State, and now operating between Lagos and his hometown, he represents a generation of founders who refuse to be limited by geography.

“There’s incredible talent brewing in Anambra, Lagos, and across Nigeria,” he notes. “We’re not just participating in these competitions for the prizes. We’re showing that Nigerian youth can build real companies, manage complex projects, and hold our own anywhere in the world.”

The 22-Year-Old Digital Nomad

Perhaps most impressive is how Chidera Okonkwo embodies the modern digital entrepreneur—someone for whom business isn’t confined to a physical office. At 22, he’s managing his construction company and his tech studio, Studio0x Ltd, simultaneously, proving that the future of work in Nigeria is already here. With over 400 Web3 projects consulted for and a digital community of over 20,000 followers (@0xdenzel), he represents a model of entrepreneurship that blends hustle with intentionality, digital savvy, and real-world impact.

As Okonkwo prepares for his Sydney expedition, his focus remains on solving Nigeria’s housing deficit through high-tech, durable construction. The PalmPay win is simply the latest chapter for a founder who sees every global opportunity as a

chance to bring value back home to the local market.