Bitcoin-centric events and educational programs for developers receive a $1 million grant from Btrust
In a significant move to support Bitcoin education, regulation, and electrification initiatives across the Global South, the Bitcoin-centric nonprofit organisation Btrust has distributed $1.04 million in grants to various beneficiaries, with a particular focus on Africa[1].
The funds, part of Btrust's inaugural grant round for 2025, were allocated to ten Bitcoin-focused events and developer education programs in Africa[3][5]. These grants form part of a broader effort to locate, educate, and remunerate Bitcoin open-source engineers in the region, aiming to build a strong base of technical talent capable of advancing the Bitcoin ecosystem locally[2].
Among the African recipients, details are scarce, but the focus is clear: boots-on-the-ground education, funding developer participation in Bitcoin open-source projects, and advancing Bitcoin adoption in key African nations within the Global South framework[1][2][3][5].
Highlighted activities and outcomes include support for Bitcoin developer education initiatives that focus on expanding knowledge and building developer capacity in African countries[2]. Funding has also been provided for events across different African countries to promote Bitcoin awareness, networking, and technical skill-building[3][5].
Partnerships with local crypto exchanges and educational platforms are also part of the plan. For instance, a collaboration aims to establish Kenya as a tech hub called the “Silicon Savannah,” while scholarships are being launched to support African tech students[5].
Significant African markets such as South Africa and Nigeria, where infrastructural and regulatory developments are ongoing, are also being indirectly supported via these grants[3].
Some of the African Bitcoin events that received funding include the global conference Adopting Bitcoin, which debuted its African edition last year in Cape Town, South Africa, and the third edition of the Senegal-based Bitcoin event, Dakar Bitcoin Days, scheduled to be held in October[4]. The Africa Bitcoin Conference, scheduled for May 27 in Louis, Mauritius, is another event that received funding[4].
Africa Free Routing's developer bootcamps, held across the continent, were also funded by Btrust[5]. It's worth noting that all African beneficiaries of the grant were in the events and conferences category.
Btrust's commitment to African Bitcoin development extends beyond grants. In 2023, the organisation acquired African bitcoin talent development firm Qala and rebranded it as Btrust Builders, admitting 55 software engineers for training in Bitcoin open-source development over three months[6].
In summary, Btrust's grants in 2025 empower African Bitcoin developers through education, support major Bitcoin events, and foster ecosystem growth in key countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria within the Global South framework[1][2][3][5]. The exact amount for each beneficiary is not stated, but the total grants added up to $1,004,010.
Startups focused on Bitcoin education and adoption in Africa, such as the Africa Bitcoin Conference and Dakar Bitcoin Days, received grants from Btrust as part of their inaugural grant round in 2025. These funds were also allocated to developer bootcamps across the continent and collaborations with local crypto exchanges and educational platforms to build a strong base of technical talent capable of advancing the Bitcoin ecosystem in Africa. Btrust's commitment to fostering Bitcoin development in key African nations like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria extends beyond grants, as they also acquired Qala, an African bitcoin talent development firm, and rebranded it as Btrust Builders in 2023.
This investment in African Bitcoin development is part of a broader effort to leverage blockchain, crypto, and technology to boost the local economy and promote Bitcoin awareness and networking across the continent. The focus is to remunerate Bitcoin open-source engineers in the region and support Bitcoin adoption in Africa, aligning with the organization's goal of electrification initiatives across the Global South.
