Meet the Neighbours: Why Bitcoin in Africa is a Team Sport
Hey everyone,
You might have seen us share a link from a group called Gorilla Sats recently. They run tours across Africa to show people real Bitcoin projects on the ground, and we're incredibly proud that they've listed Bitcoin Babies as a key stop on their Pan African tour.
But we're not the only ones they're visiting. They've created a list of what we're calling the "Big 5" of the African Bitcoin scene, and we wanted to take a moment to introduce you to the other projects on that list. It's important to understand that we're not alone in this mission; we're part of a growing family of builders across the continent.
1. Bitcoin Ekasi (South Africa)
Think of Bitcoin Ekasi as our sister project. Based in a township in South Africa, their mission is very similar to ours: they are building a circular economy from the ground up. They focus on educating their community and helping local merchants accept Bitcoin, creating a closed-loop system where value stays within the neighbourhood. They are proving, just like we are in Kimbo, that Bitcoin is a powerful tool for community empowerment.
2. Gridless (Kenya & East Africa)
Gridless is a bit differentâthey work on the energy side of Bitcoin. In many parts of Africa, there is a lot of energy produced (especially renewable energy like hydro) that doesn't get used. Gridless sets up small Bitcoin mining operations to use that excess energy. This helps the energy producers become more profitable, which can lead to lower electricity costs for everyone, and it strengthens the Bitcoin network at the same time. They are building the foundation that projects like ours can build on top of.
Why This Matters
Seeing our name next to these other projects is an honour. It shows that the hard work we are all doing togetherâevery merchant transaction, every lesson completed, every community meetupâis being recognised as a vital part of the story of Bitcoin in Africa.
We are the community builders. Ekasi are the community builders. Gridless is building the infrastructure. Together, we are all showing the world what's possible.