A Silent Revolution: Why Are Africans Turning to Bitcoin?

Written by: Susie Violet Ward

Original: 《Education, Human Rights And An Innovation Drain From West To East - Why Africans Are Turning To Bitcoin》

Translated by: Luffy, Foresight News

As countries around the world struggle to cope with financial and political turmoil, Bitcoin has become more than just a cryptocurrency. It symbolizes hope, especially in African nations in the Southern Hemisphere, where its potential benefits are most evident.

The Crucial Bitcoin Witness in Africa

The average age of the population in Africa is 18.8 years, in stark contrast to Europe’s average age of 42.2 years. This demographic characteristic is leading the African continent towards an innovative financial system, as young people in Africa seek unique solutions in the face of high banking fees, inadequate infrastructure, and ongoing political interference.

Bitcoin education advocate and founder of Bitcoin for Fairness, Anita Posch, emphasizes, "If Bitcoin works in Zimbabwe, it will work anywhere." Master Guantai and Noelyne Sumba share this view, having witnessed Bitcoin's potential in extreme circumstances. In a country filled with dictatorship, human rights issues, and hyperinflation, Bitcoin stands out. As Posch highlights, Zimbabwe demonstrates the power of Bitcoin as a tool for freedom and human rights.

Posch discovered Bitcoin in 2011, but it wasn't until 2017 that she fully embraced it after realizing its humanitarian impact. After working in web design for over twenty years, her motivation to shift to Bitcoin education stemmed from a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world. Projects like "Crack The Orange" that Posch mentions provide long-term educational opportunities. "It’s better if people do it themselves," Posch explains.

Master Guantai also emphasizes the growth of Bitcoin in Africa. With the continuous development of the Bitcoin community and education, the future seems promising.

He states, "Africa will lead in the adoption and innovation of Bitcoin. The urgency brought by our struggles against corruption and inflation, combined with the strong interest from Bitcoin companies and investors, ensures that this vision will become a reality. In our lifetime, there are no other competitors that can replace Bitcoin to provide us with the financial freedom we seek."

Master Guantai's mission is profound. Given Africa's tumultuous history—from colonialism, apartheid, challenges to foreign investment, to widespread poverty—Bitcoin shines as a pathway for economic empowerment and transformation.

Like Anita Posch, Master Guantai advocates for a holistic perspective. They are acutely aware of the misinformation and dubious projects that cloud the crypto world. They both stress that addressing these threats and misunderstandings is crucial for truly presenting Bitcoin as the transformative solution Africa needs.

Noelyne Sumba of Machankura is working to lower the barriers to accessing Bitcoin in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. To achieve this, Machankura integrates the Bitcoin Lightning Network with WhatsApp's API. This groundbreaking approach allows individuals to conduct Bitcoin transactions even without an internet connection.

Financial Empowerment Tools in Africa

To further promote Bitcoin education in Africa, The Geyser Fund plays an active role by providing grants for innovative projects. These initiatives enhance the growing momentum of the Bitcoin community, highlighting the importance of grassroots education.

However, challenges remain. Accessing Bitcoin and understanding its long-term value is still a barrier. Financial literacy is a new concept for many in African countries, and saving is an unfamiliar territory for them. Moreover, scams exacerbate skepticism towards Bitcoin, further hindering its adoption.

In this evolving financial landscape, these innovators play a key role. They take on the responsibility of imparting Bitcoin knowledge to those who need it most.

Despite the challenges, everyone remains optimistic, "Bitcoin is not going away." As more people share positive Bitcoin experiences, its adoption is bound to accelerate. Amid rising global inflation and declining trust in traditional banks, Bitcoin's status as a reliable financial solution seems more solid than ever.

In the complex process of technological evolution and financial transformation, Bitcoin and its promise of decentralization are an unstoppable tide. As Anita Posch summarizes, "This is a silent revolution."