What's hindering growth of bitcoin in Africa?

Bitcoin has been making waves globally as a decentralized digital currency that offers fast and low-cost transactions without the need for intermediaries. Femi Longe, the Programme Lead at ₿trust Builders, believes that Africa can greatly benefit from the development of bitcoin if the right education and training are provided, along with incentives for open-source development. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa's Kenneth Igbomor, Longe delved into the challenges and opportunities surrounding bitcoin adoption in Africa. Longe acknowledged that while the rest of the world has been actively engaging with bitcoin as a technology, Africa has lagged behind in terms of participation in the core development of the network. This lack of representation poses a risk to the continent, as decisions about the evolution of the technology may not consider the unique challenges faced by African countries. To bridge this gap, ₿trust Builders has been working to educate software developers in Africa about bitcoin technology, with a focus on building applications that address real challenges on the continent and fostering contributions to open-source bitcoin development. Longe emphasized the importance of supporting developers from the global south, particularly in Africa, on their journey into bitcoin development and ensuring that they are fairly remunerated for their contributions. With the backing of resources from Btrust, a foundation established by Jack Dorsey of Twitter and Jay-Z, ₿trust Builders aims to empower African developers to actively participate in shaping the global financial infrastructure. Longe also addressed the prevalent narrative around bitcoin in Africa, noting that while there has been a focus on speculation and trading, the true value of bitcoin lies in its ability to facilitate fast and censorship-resistant transactions globally. Despite instances of scams and misinformation surrounding bitcoin, Longe highlighted the utility of the digital currency, citing a recent report that revealed a significant volume of cryptocurrency transactions in sub-Saharan Africa. Many exporters and importers in the region have turned to bitcoin as a practical solution for settling cross-border transactions amid economic challenges. Longe underscored the importance of demonstrating the practical benefits of bitcoin to users, rather than solely focusing on theoretical education. By showcasing how bitcoin can address real-world problems related to financial transactions, Longe believes that the adoption and understanding of bitcoin in Africa will continue to grow. As the continent navigates the evolving landscape of digital currencies, education, and empowerment of developers will be key to unlocking the full potential of bitcoin in Africa.