Kenya. Uganda. Nigeria. Three Countries, One Mission: The Practical Side of Bitcoin!
Every African woman is a great host. That’s a fact, and no one can convince me otherwise. So putting several outstanding African women under one roof means you’re bound to have a great time at any event they host. Keep this in mind the next time Bitcoin Dada invites you anywhere.
We’ve had a busy couple of months, and we’d like nothing more than to tell you about it.
Let’s start from the top.
April- DADA Tutors Training Program
Eight cohorts later, and hundreds of brilliant women across Africa have become alumni of the Bitcoin Dada Bitcoin education program, and one thing was clear: the community was growing fast.
The Dadas Tutors program was created in an effort to expand within the community and shape the next wave of leaders and educators.
Our amazing community never sleeps on opportunities, so tons of applications came flooding in from women ready to be the next Bitcoin educators. After a series of rigorous interviews, including teaching demos, the top ten applicants from Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda were selected as part of the first-ever Tutor Training Program.
Over the next few months, the ladies went through various lessons from the subtleties of effective teaching to rehashing all their Bitcoin knowledge, led by the Bitcoin Dada Founder, Lorraine Marcel.
“Knowing Bitcoin is one thing, but being able to teach it well is another.”
– Lorraine Marcel, Founder of Bitcoin Dada
Ultimately, three trainees were successfully chosen to facilitate the next cohort of the Bitcoin Dada Education Program, yours truly included.
The inaugural Dada Tutor Program was the first step in building a scalable and decentralized Bitcoin learning ecosystem, created by African women, for African women.
July- Cohort 9
At the beginning of July, Bitcoin Dada launched its 9th cohort with over 100 women from across the continent. I’ll go on record and say this was one of the most special cohorts we’ve ever had, and here’s why.
First of all, it was the first group facilitated purely by Bitcoin Dada alumni. The ladies got to learn about Bitcoin from women who were in their shoes less than a couple of years back. Naturally, those classes were a whole vibe from start to finish.
Another reason this cohort stood out was that it was glaringly obvious from the beginning that we were dealing with an exceptionally smart and dedicated group of women. It was fascinating watching these African women from diverse cultures and backgrounds come together to form a sisterhood and grow love for Bitcoin.
The tutors did a good job contextualizing Bitcoin content to suit the African palate and actually be digestible. Jargon was broken down to bite-sized pieces, analogies were used to explain everything from Bitcoin mining to UTXOs, and the African woman’s experience was put front and center of every discussion.
The cohort was still underway when the ladies, unprompted, started doing individual bitcoin projects and diving in to contribute to the network in different ways. It was a sign that the new generation of Bitcoin adopters is going to take the industry by storm, and we couldn’t be prouder.
August- Bitcoin Dada Wallet Workshops
One of our core tenets at Bitcoin Dada is to make Bitcoin education accessible, relatable, and practical. So when curating the curriculum for cohort 9, we ensured that all that theory learning could be backed with real-world application through a dedicated Bitcoin wallets workshop.
But let’s be honest, we also wanted to give learners the experience of receiving their very first sats. After all, who doesn’t love that moment?
Like any African celebration, we had to do it big for the culture and do it right for the plot. That’s why our visionary founder, Marcel, came up with the idea of a three-country workshop in Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria.
First thing first: while the Bitcoin wallet workshop was designed as a supplementary session to the cohort’s curriculum, it was also open to the general public.
We expected interest (at least from the cohort ladies), but the massive sign-ups, especially in Kenya, were beyond our expectations. The applications had to close earlier than scheduled because we hadn’t anticipated those numbers. It was a clear showcase of just how enthusiastic Africans are for Bitcoin education. Either that, or people just wanted free sats and honestly, that’s valid too.
When D-Day came, nearly 150 attendees joined across the three countries. It was a mix of everyone, from newbies in the space to the local bitcoinners like Ayobami and Tobi in Nigeria and Rosaline (founder of Bitbiashara) in Kenya.
Every country has its own flow, but a few things stood out. What began as a Dada event quickly transformed into a true community gathering where everyone showed up, from mothers, men to young children, and of course, plenty of good vibes. It was a beautiful reminder that teaching financial concepts across generations doesn’t have to be complicated; all it takes is patience and a smile.
Team Nigeria showed us the true meaning of ‘spraying currency.’ After receiving donations from Bitcoin enthusiasts in the room, they went on to send sats to everyone present, such a flex! The facilitators were outstanding and the crowd loved it. Special recognition goes to Precious Okoro, who flew from Abuja to Lagos just to facilitate this workshop a true testament to her dedication and commitment to making the event a success.
Team Uganda brought their trademark warm hospitality and killer smiles to their workshop. The event was full of laughs and camaraderie, which eased any tension or anxiety about the learning process. The participants were also quite diverse in a lot of ways, demonstrating how inclusive Bitcoin education can be.
Team Kenya was the best. The end!
Okay, I might be biased, but I’m also speaking facts! The venue was stunning, the participants were incredible, the food was on point, and the facilitators truly made history. In a single session, we taught both a 7-year-old and a 50-year-old how to use a Bitcoin wallet. And yes, some of us even arrived on bodabodas, just to facilitate the event, a testament to the dedication that made it all possible.
Overall, participants were guided through setting up their first on-chain and lightning wallets, learnt about the best practices for on/off ramping, and were given recommendations for the best bitcoin wallets depending on their user level.
“The wallet workshop sparked the finality of thought at the vastness of the financial freedom I have access to. Soft, quirky, and smart ladies explaining concepts of financial freedom really intensified my connection and understanding of wallets and their different benefits.”
–Shannon, Cohort 9
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and thank Marcel Lorraine, a visionary, a beauty, THE DADA! Without her, none of this would have been possible.
Wrap Up
The workshops were consistently good across the board and gave participants the kind of tangible experience that converts spectators into adopters.
I was fortunate enough to take part in all the activities over the last few months, and I can honestly say it’s been an amazing journey. A massive thank you to the rest of the team; Wandia Mugo, Adelaide Kanaiza, Precious Okoro, Lillian Nwamaife, Cecilia Orji, Angella Mulikatete and Angella Wafwoyo
Now the pressure is on from curious minds and Bitcoin enthusiasts across borders. Other countries are already asking when it’s their turn. Tanzania? Zambia? Namibia? Maybe it’s time to go even bigger. Which country should be next?
