SkillBridge

SkillBridge is a decentralized platform that connects skilled professionals (engineers, carpenters, doctors, teachers, developers, artisans, and more) with clients — powered by blockchain escrow to ensure trust, transparency, and instant payments.

SkillBridge solves unemployment and underemployment challenges by bringing skills on-chain, enabling professionals to showcase verifiable skills, receive fair pay, and build a global reputation without relying on centralized intermediaries.

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Why SkillBridge?

Millions of skilled professionals in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond face:

• ❌ Unemployment & underemployment despite having marketable skills.
• ❌ High platform fees (10–20% on Upwork/Fiverr).
• ❌ Delayed or unfair payments due to lack of trust.
• ❌ Limited access to global freelance markets (FX restrictions, high remittance costs).
• ❌ No verifiable system to prove experience and ratings.

SkillBridge tackles these issues by combining:

• ✅ Escrow smart contracts (funds are secured until work is completed).
• ✅ Instant withdrawals in local currency (via stablecoins).
• ✅ Low fees (2–5%).
• ✅ On-chain skill reputation (transparent, tamper-proof).
• ✅ Borderless access to global opportunities.

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🛠️ How It Works

1. Client posts a job → includes budget & funds escrow.
2. Professional accepts → delivers work.
3. Funds are released → automatically or on approval.
4. Provider withdraws instantly to wallet/local currency.

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💡 Features

• 🔒 Blockchain Escrow → Trustless transactions between client & provider.
• 🧾 Skill Profiles → On-chain reputation and ratings.
• 💵 Instant Payouts → Stablecoin → local currency withdrawals.
• 📱 Mobile-First → Optimized for regions with mobile-first internet adoption.
• 🌍 Global Scale → Start with Nigeria, scale across Africa, expand globally.

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📊 Impact

• 🎯 Reduce youth unemployment by creating direct access to work.
• 🎯 Enable financial inclusion for unbanked/underbanked professionals.
• 🎯 Lower cost of transactions compared to centralized gig platforms.
• 🎯 Build a borderless, decentralized skill economy.

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🔧 Tech Stack

• Smart Contracts: Solidity (Escrow, Reputation, Dispute Resolution).
• Frontend: React + Tailwind CSS.
• Blockchain: EVM-compatible chains (Base / Ethereum).
• Wallet Integration: MetaMask, WalletConnect.

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📦 Installation & Setup

Clone the repo:

git clone https://github.com/devjaja/skillbridge.git
cd skillbridge
FRONTEND:
cd frontend

Install dependencies:

npm install


Run locally:

npm run dev


Smart contract deployment (Hardhat):
cd smartcontract

npx hardhat compile
npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network base-sepolia

🌍 Roadmap

✅ Phase 1: Smart contract prototype (escrow).

✅ Phase 2: Frontend demo (React + Tailwind).

🚧 Phase 3: Mobile-first dApp with local payment integrations.

🚧 Phase 4: Scaling across Nigeria → Africa → Global.

🚧 Phase 5: DAO governance for dispute resolution & platform decisions.