Lina Khan's interest in Figma's potential IPO? It's not just about one company. It's a flashing red light signaling a larger, more critical conversation we need to have about who gets to build the future, and especially who gets left behind. Forget the technical jargon for a second. Think about the human cost.

Africa's Creative Renaissance At Stake

My name is Thabo. As someone who goes deep on DeFi and NFTs on a daily basis, it is very much about making sure that African creators get a real and honest seat at the table. This continent is overflowing with raw, unpolished talent. Artists, designers and innovators in all fields are ready to capitalize on this new era and influence the world stage. That explosion doesn’t happen on its own, and that fuel is access. Proximity to inspiration, access to tools, access to resources, access to opportunity.

Figma, for many, is that tool. It’s the new-age workshop where concepts are designed, models are developed, and companies are created. What does it mean when a larger corporation ingests that workshop? Or what if the admission ticket increases dramatically immediately after IPO?

I have seen firsthand how access to affordable design tools can enable young creative entrepreneurs in Nairobi create and develop their own businesses. These technologies not only allow artists in Lagos to reach new global audiences, they empower developers in Cape Town to build cutting-edge solutions to local problems. Will the IPO help or hinder this? Will it turn the tides in favor of new creators—or merely entrench the interests of those already in power?

Let's be blunt: the tech world has a serious problem with equity. We love innovation, but we don’t stop to think about who that innovation is for. Are we going to be creating a future where everybody wins, or are we just doubling down on all the inequities we already have?

Democratization or Digital Colonialism

In that sense, Figma’s IPO isn’t only a financial milestone. It's a test. This should be a test of our ability to architect a tech ecosystem that meaningfully allows creators to thrive. Or, it simply centralizes authority within the bureaucracy, without real accountability fostered by public involvement. What’s at stake? What occurs when these tools that are supposed to democratize creation end up being used to control creation? In other words, are we exchanging digital freedom in the name of seduction of better market efficiency?

Think about it. These are the same forces that drove colonial powers to extract resources from Africa, and they haven’t changed today. Yet, this time, they’re doing so purely in digital format. Instead of gold and diamonds, it’s data and talent. Instead of physical domination, it's platform control. The illusion of “development” frequently obscures a more sinister trend – one of dispossession and exploitation.

This might sound crazy, but what if we used blockchain technology to create a more decentralized and equitable design ecosystem? Develop a shared vision Picture this— community governed & owned design tools. In this new reality, it’s the creators who call the shots, deciding the fate of the platforms they work on.

That’s the promise of Web3, and it’s a promise we should insist that they miss the mark on keeping.

The Blockchain Solution Decentralized Design

DeFi isn’t only about finance, but empowering individuals and communities to take control of their own destinies. NFTs are more than digital art — they’re crafting a new form of ownership, and a new paradigm for creating and capturing value. And if used together, they can help all of us start to build a more inclusive and democratic design ecosystem.

This isn't just a pipe dream. It's a realistic alternative to the current system, and it's one that we need to start exploring now. I'm not saying it will be easy. Developing a truly decentralized design ecosystem is going to take, as with all good things, intense effort, cooperation, and creativity. The potential rewards are enormous.

The StartupNews.fyi disclaimer about potential conflicts of interest is a wonderful and necessary warning. We cannot have accountability without real transparency in this space. The principles should extend beyond enforcement and into the reporting to algorithms, overarching architecture, and governance of these platforms. We need to continue to raise hell, change the narrative, and hold everyone’s feet to the fire.

  • Community Ownership: Imagine a design platform governed by a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), where users vote on key decisions and share in the platform's success.
  • Tokenized Incentives: Reward creators for their contributions with tokens that can be used to access premium features or traded on the open market.
  • Transparent Governance: Ensure that the platform's algorithms and policies are transparent and accountable, preventing bias and discrimination.

Figma's IPO is a wake-up call. So let’s use this moment to redefine how we design and implement that technology. Together, we can build a future where all of us, no matter our background, have the opportunity to prosper. Let's not waste it.

Let’s work to ensure that the next Figma comes out of Africa, rather than just serving it. Joined by you, we’ll make sure that this success translates into tangible benefits for the whole continent—not just a handful of shareholders.

Figma's IPO is a wake-up call. It's a chance for us to rethink the way we build and use technology, and to create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Let's not waste it.

Let's build a future where the next Figma is born in Africa, not just used in Africa, and where its success benefits the entire continent, not just a handful of shareholders.