Geegpay Brings Together the Digital Community with Geegs and Groove Festival

Geegpay hosted the biggest mixer for the digital community on September 20th, 2024, at The Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos. Originally planned for 500 guests, the event exceeded expectations, drawing in a much larger crowd. A few weeks ago, Geegpay announced its aim to bring together remote workers, content creators, independent contractors, influencers, and thought leaders for a day of networking, learning, and partying—and it did just that.

The event began at 2 p.m., with celebrity MC Timi Agbaje welcoming the guests. He engaged them with humour and icebreakers, allowing attendees to introduce themselves and start conversations with one another.

Cynthia Orji Kicks Off the Event with a Welcome Speech

Afterwards, Geegpay's Content Marketing Manager, Cynthia Orji, took the stage to officially welcome the guests and deliver the keynote speech. Cynthia highlighted Geegpay’s mission to provide members of the digital community with the tools and support they need to succeed in the global economy. She emphasised how the Geegs and Groove Festival is a testament to Geegpay’s commitment to this mission. By bringing together a group of freelancers, creatives, and remote workers, Geegpay is playing a key role in supporting sustainable economic opportunities for Africa's growing digital workforce.

Building a Global Career: Panel Discussion Highlights

One of the key moments of the day was the one-hour panel discussion on ‘Building a Sustainable Global Career in the Digital Economy’. The panel featured experts Blessing Abeng, Dauda Sulaimon Abiola aka Omoalhaja, David Herbert, and Steven Ndukwu, who provided practical advice on how to grow a career in the digital world.

During the discussion, Steven Ndukwu, a filmmaker and content creator, shared his personal journey of overcoming obstacles. He encouraged the audience to be resilient, saying: “If you're having a roadblock and you're thinking that's what's going to stop you, I feel you're not motivated enough.” He explained how he managed to navigate challenges such as working a 9-5 job and lacking the funds for video equipment, all while building his brand.

Blessing Abeng, a branding and communications expert, gave valuable insights into networking and collaboration. She advised against only seeking connections with “big names,” stating: “The best networking you would ever do is with your peers, because you don't know where your peer is going to be tomorrow.” She encouraged attendees to cultivate relationships with their peers and seek mutually beneficial collaborations.

Frontend Developer and Technical Writer David Herbert shared his monetization strategy, particularly for passive income. David, who created the course Tech: Write and Earn, emphasised that content doesn’t always have to be video-based to sell. “The idea is to provide value. When you know that a lot of people don't know this thing, you can package it in a way that if they're able to go through it from A to Z, they'll be able to acquire the skill they're looking for.”

Omoalhaja, founder of Skill Afrika, reinforced the importance of packaging skills for monetization. He stressed that no matter your field of study, you can make money from your knowledge if you present it well. “As freelancers, we have to learn how to create what I call scalable service offers.”

Masterclass on Upwork Success: Earning $200+

Following the panel, a masterclass titled ‘Secrets to Earning $200+ on Upwork’ took place, moderated by Precious Ahwuri O. Top-rated freelancers Eseoghene Otomiewor, Ifeoluwa Amao, and Ebunoluwa Olaoluwa shared strategies for securing high-paying gigs on Upwork. 

When asked if certain freelance skills are more lucrative than others, Ifeoluwa, a Microsoft 365 Tech Support Engineer, agreed but stressed the importance of “premium pricing” to earn faster. Eseoghene, an SEO content writer, advised freelancers to focus on selling fast, even at a lower rate initially, to gain momentum. He said, “Pricing is something that people should pay more attention to, especially if you are a beginner.”

Ebunoluwa, an email marketing expert, encouraged freelancers to develop complementary skills, noting that combining skills like content writing and email marketing was what significantly increased her earning potential.

Launch of the Raenest Physical Dollar Card

A major announcement came during the event: the launch of the Raenest physical dollar card. In addition to allowing users to create USD, EUR, and GBP bank accounts on Geegpay, as well as providing an invoicing feature and a virtual dollar card, Geegpay has now introduced a physical card that users can request and have delivered to their doorstep.

Aminat Abidogun, Geegpay’s Product Manager, introduced the physical dollar card, explaining how it provides greater convenience. With the new card, users can withdraw cash from ATMs, make in-store payments, and enjoy secure, global transactions without unnecessary fees. This is a significant milestone for Geegpay as the company continues to build a comprehensive platform that serves the financial needs of Africa’s digital workforce, while offering competitive rates and no hidden charges.

Guests Enjoy Food, Music, and Networking

While the product showcase and panel discussions were in full swing, food and drinks were served, ensuring that everyone stayed refreshed. As the day progressed, Beverly Ezebuike, Geegpay’s Community & Partnerships Manager gave the thank you note, and DJ Crowd Kontroller took over, getting the crowd on their feet with electrifying music. Souvenirs and gifts were distributed, and lucky attendees walked away with some dollars in their Geegpay wallets.

Media Coverage and Social Media Buzz Post-Event

Attendees took to social media to share their experience, and the hashtags #GeegsAndGroove and #GrooveWithGeegpay quickly gained traction. Here’s what some attendees had to say:

“Blessing Abeng said 2 things that resonated with me: The life that you dream of is possible, you just have to learn about it. But don't just stop at learning, put your knowledge to work, share proof of your work, detail your journey & watch your dream become reality,” shared @belle_ayzail on X (formerly Twitter).

Another guest, @thelady_moh, shared, “At first I was thinking if coming for this event from Ikorodu is actually worth it, especially on a Friday (we all know how busy Lagos can be), but honestly it's been a fun-filled and educating experience so far.”

Omoalhaja Abiola also praised the event: “Geegpay has chosen a differentiated approach to engaging with and supporting DOERS. Few payment platforms have stepped up to support freelancers as much as @geegpay_hq has. The #GeegsAndGroove event, one of their coordinated new initiatives, aims to boost how the company serves African freelancers further.” 

The event also garnered significant media attention, with platforms such as Benjamin Dada and Tech Cabal featuring coverage on the Geegs and Groove Festival. These reports highlighted the event's impact on the digital economy and its role in fostering networking and growth for gig workers and remote workers.

A Step Towards Sustained Growth in the Digital Economy

The Geegs and Groove Festival was not only a celebration; it was a significant step toward fostering sustained growth in the digital economy, aligning with UN’s SDG 8. As Geegpay continues to expand its services and provide resources for Africa’s digital workers, events like this help create a community that supports each other’s growth. With the launch of the physical dollar card and insights from thought leaders, Geegpay has solidified its position as a key player in empowering Africa’s digital workforce.

To catch more reactions and highlights, search #GeegsAndGroove and #GrooveWithGeegpay on social media. Be sure to follow us for future events and updates as Geegpay continues to create opportunities for freelancers, remote workers, content creators, and the entire digital community.