Builder Spotlight returns to highlight developers building with the Self SDK, leveraging privacy-preserving, zero-knowledge (ZK) proof-of-humanity and identity verification solutions for their real-world applications. This week, we’re diving into the work of geeloko, the Ghana-based builder behind 3 Wheeler Bike Club. 

3 Wheeler Bike Club is a blockchain-powered platform that helps drivers of 3-wheelers (similar to tuk-tuks or motorized rickshaws) own their vehicles through community finance. Community investors fund vehicles that drivers purchase through work-to-own programs, earning returns as drivers make ownership payments. The platform is currently operating in Ghana with plans to expand across emerging markets where 3-wheelers are essential transportation.

During Celo Foundation’s Proof of Ship 6 virtual hackathon, geeloko was introduced to Self Protocol as a solution for the existing identity and humanity verification challenges he faced while building the project. By leveraging Self’s OFAC list's exclusion proofs for sanctions screening, geeloko was able to introduce a privacy-preserving way to screen investors backing the purchase of 3-wheelers.   

After earning the Self Protocol bounty as one of the leading Proof-of-Ship builders integrating Self’s SDK, the team caught up with geeloko to learn more about his inspiration and vision for scaling 3 Wheeler Bike Club. 

What inspired you to develop 3 Wheeler Bike Club?

During my three years in Kumasi, Ghana (2021-2024), I saw 3-wheelers become essential transport due to affordability and convenience, but drivers lacked any union or collective voice. Most were trapped in exploitative cycles, working for vehicle owners because they couldn’t afford the buy-in to purchase their own vehicles. When my favorite driver lost his livelihood after the owner sold his car, I saw how often drivers built value for others while staying dependent. This inspired me to build 3 Wheeler Bike Club, combining community finance for ownership with governance tools that give drivers collective power over their economic future.

When did you decide identity verification was a core pillar necessary to solve for?

Identity verification became essential once we created an investment vehicle to fund wholesale purchases. Local unions already collected IDs, but in our model investor funds flowed through our platform. As a US-registered company raising under Reg S, we needed to screen retail investors against the OFAC list to avoid money laundering risk. What began as a process inherited from unions became a core requirement once we started handling investor funds directly.

Why did you choose Self for the identity layer?

Traditional KYC/AML solutions were too costly, created liability from storing user data, and required manual OFAC checks that weren’t scalable. We also faced risks from fake IDs without expensive verification services. Self solved all of this: it is cost-effective, removes liability through zero-knowledge proofs, automates OFAC compliance, and ensures authenticity through passport NFC/RFID verification. This allows us to stay compliant as a US-registered company while focusing resources on empowering 3-wheeler drivers instead of building compliance infrastructure.

What's your vision for the future of 3 Wheeler Bike Club?

Our vision is to transform Africa’s 3-wheeler industry from exploitative rentals into a driver-owned, community-governed ecosystem. We’ve started with 2 vehicles in Ghana, generating revenue, and are scaling to 100+ to prove the model works. From there, we see thousands of drivers across Africa using our platform to become owners and participate in governance, ultimately creating a decentralized autonomous organization where drivers collectively control fleets and treasuries, replacing exploitative systems with ownership, community, and empowerment.

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