Bitcoin as a Catalyst for Change in Kenya: The Story of Afribit Kibera w/ Ronnie Mdawida
new renaissance capitalIn this episode, we travel to Nairobi, Kenya to learn about Afribit Kibera, a project proving that Bitcoin is more than just a financial asset — it's a tool for social and environmental reform.
Afribit co-founder Ronnie Mdawida details how they have integrated Bitcoin into waste collection groups, women’s upcycling initiatives, and even motorcycle taxi (boda boda) licenses.
By creating a circular Bitcoin economy, Kibera residents are keeping value within their community and building a brighter future.
Host: Frank Corva
Guest: Ronnie Mdawida
For more on Afribit: https://www.afribit.africa/
To donate to Afribit: https://geyser.fund/project/afribitkibera
Timestamps:
0:00 Hook
0:35 Lead-in from Frank
4:09 Introduction: Ronnie Mdawida & Afribit Kibera
6:06 Afribit's Work in Kibera: Waste Management, Incentivized Learning & Onboarding Merchants
16:05 Tando: A Bitcoin Lightning Network App That Enables M-PESA Payments
17:55 Bitcoin Catalyzing Behavioral Change
19:52 A History of Ronnie's Work in Kibera
25:45 The Ubuntu System
27:21 Banking the Unbanked with Bitcoin
34:06 Afribit's Plan Beyond Bitcoin
42:09 The BBC Covers Afribit
49:35 The Challenges of Running Afribit
1:05:35 Fedi's SateNet
1:09:53 Afribit's Victories
1:16:55 Conclusion
1:20:07 Final Words from Frank