Over the last couple of months, I had the privilege of attending the Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town conference in South Africa, as well as the African Bitcoin Conference in Kenya. I also took the opportunity to explore various Bitcoin circular economies throughout these nations, including Bitcoin Ekasi, Afribit Kibera, and Bitcoin Witsand.
These experiences have profoundly highlighted how developers, community innovators, and enthusiastic individuals throughout Africa are leveraging Bitcoin to foster transformation in their communities, embodying the ideals that characterized the early cypherpunk movement.
A Manifesto of the African Bitcoiner
In โA Cypherpunkโs Manifesto,โ Eric Hughes stated:
โCypherpunks write code. Itโs essential that someone creates software to safeguard privacy; since we cannot achieve privacy unless collectively pursued, we will code it. We release our software for our fellow Cypherpunks to experiment with and utilize. Our code is available freely to all across the globe. Disapproval of our software doesnโt concern us. We understand that software is imperishable and that a decentralized system cannot be entirely dismantled.โ
This mindset is mirrored in the efforts of builders within Africa. While not every individual is directly involved in coding, all are striving to progress their initiatives autonomously.
Observing the vibrant activity in Africa, especially during my recent expedition, which included a visit to Ghana in late 2023, where I participated in the African Bitcoin Conference and explored Bitcoin Dua, I envision that an African Bitcoinerโs adaptation of Hughesโ manifesto might articulate as follows:
โAfrican Bitcoiners create innovative solutions using Bitcoin. We recognize the need for individuals to initiate change because the commitments of NGOs and government entities often fall short. We disseminate our proof of work online, providing a template for fellow African Bitcoiners to adapt to their distinctive situations. Our proof of work and/or code is intended for replication throughout Africa and beyond. We do not seek validation from governing bodies; however, we are open to collaboration if they appreciate the value of our initiatives. We understand that our contributions harness both the unalterable and uncensorable attributes of Bitcoin and the relentless nature of the human spirit, making our efforts beyond the reach of suppression.โ
Here are a few exemplary projects that exemplify this spirit:
Bitcoin Ekasi
Bitcoin Ekasi stands out as a significant embodiment of the cypherpunk philosophy and Bitcoin values in Africa. Launched in 2021 in Mossel Bay, South Africa, this initiative has evolved into a benchmark for Bitcoin circular economies across the continent.
The initiative, spearheaded by Hermann Vivier (who also organized Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town), has two core goals: to raise Bitcoin funds for The Surfer Kids non-profit organization, which he established, and to integrate local businesses into the Bitcoin ecosystem. (Luthando Ndabambi, the Project Community Leader, has skillfully achieved the latter over the years.)
The secondary objective was to empower local residents to utilize their Bitcoin for transactions within the community, aiming to uplift the overall economic standing of the area.
Currently, the initiative collaborates with a local primary school that recently began accepting Bitcoin for tuition, and has revitalized community centers for both Bitcoin Ekasi and The Surfer Kids, partly due to generous contributions from Jack Dorsey and fundraising efforts by Aubrey Strobel.
Unveiling the new sign at the main entrance of the local township primary school!https://t.co/ttBcG7X2nE pic.twitter.com/f6R2ryGC0P
— Bitcoin Ekasi (@BitcoinEkasi) January 17, 2025
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Noteworthy is that some politicians, a number of whom participated in the Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town conference this year, are beginning to recognize the importance of Bitcoin, influenced by this project.
Tando
Tando is an innovative application developed by a Kenyan team, enabling Bitcoin Lightning wallets to interact seamlessly with the countryโs mobile money service, M-PESA.
This user-friendly app does not require KYC and has emerged as one of the most effective tools for fostering financial inclusion in Kenya, particularly benefiting those without proper identification who face barriers in making payments through M-PESA. With Tando, users can transact digitally using their Lightning wallets and engage in commerce with fellow Kenyans.
Tando is also a convenient option for Bitcoin enthusiasts visiting Kenya. I personally utilized the app numerous times during my stay to pay for items priced in Kenyan shillings digitally.
Discover more about the app here.
Bitcoin Dua
Established in 2023, Bitcoin Dua is situated in Agbozume, Ghana, near the Togo border. It has rapidly positioned itself as one of the most dynamic Bitcoin circular economies in Africa.
This initiative not only aims to educate Ghanaians about Bitcoin but also offers coding and robotics courses, equipping community members with valuable skills that can lead to employment opportunities that pay in Bitcoin.
Lego Robot for preparation towards the 2025 #robotics competition in Ghana. We are able to improve on our equipment acquisition through the #AfricaBitcoinCircularEconomyGrant. Thanks to @Bitcoinbeach and @BitcoinEkasi pic.twitter.com/S6NIQmYqdL
— Bitcoin Dua (@bitcoin_dua) December 29, 2024
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The visionary founder, Mawufemor Kofi Folivi, and his dedicated team were recognized with the Social Impact award at this yearโs African Bitcoin Conference, and funding has been pledged by Jack Dorsey to assist in constructing a sports complex for the community.
The momentum at Bitcoin Dua shows no signs of slowing down.
Machankura
Founded in May 2022 by Kgothatso Ngako (KG), who also organized the Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town event, Machankura provides Africans with the ability to utilize Bitcoin via Lightning Network on feature phonesโdevices predating smartphones.
This technology facilitates the transmission of Bitcoin through USSD, akin to SMS in Africa, granting access to Bitcoin for around two-thirds of the African population that lacks internet connectivity.
KG is also developing technology that will allow users to store their Bitcoin private keys on chips embedded within feature phones, effectively transforming these phones into functional Bitcoin hardware wallets in the six African nations where the service is operational.
CYPHERPUNK AF.
Afribit Kibera
Located in Kenya, Afribit Kibera represents a Bitcoin circular economy situated within Africa’s largest informal settlement.
Co-founded by Ronnie Mdawida, a steadfast advocate for human rights and community organization, the initiative employs Bitcoin as a means to integrate the unbanked and underbanked populations into the economic system.
Mdawida and his team have successfully introduced 40 merchants to Bitcoin and established a recycling program that rewards participants with sats for their contributions.
Meet our first-ever merchant in 2025โthe journey continues! Soon, the entire Kibera will turn orange!@BitcoinEkasi @FBCEglobal @Bitcoinbeach @blinkbtc @geyserfund @thecore21m pic.twitter.com/rWhEzONN4v
— AFRIBIT KIBERA (@AfribitKibera) January 15, 2025
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Initially introduced to Bitcoin primarily as a means of exchange, many merchants and community participants at Afribit Kibera have now begun saving in Bitcoin, inspired by newfound optimism for their futures.
Advancing Together
Each initiative outlined above is commendable in its own right, yet what truly distinguishes the Bitcoin narrative in Africa is the collaborative spirit exhibited among members of these projects, who continuously learn from and support one another.
This synergy highlights the essence of open-source development, as well as the invaluable networking opportunities presented at conferences like Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town and the African Bitcoin Conference, where builders share their triumphs, challenges, and provide mutual encouragement.
If you haven’t attended one of these gatherings yet, I strongly endorse doing so, especially if you wish to experience the vibrant spirit of cypherpunks or individuals who embrace the Bitcoin philosophy.
African Bitcoiners are not waiting for permission to transform their lives and those of their communities. Bitcoin provides them the platform to collaboratively construct a brighter future.
