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All articles from BitHub Africa's 10-year journey

64 articles
The Genesis of African Blockchain Innovation

The Genesis of African Blockchain Innovation

From Bitcoin Mining to Solar Energy: How African Innovation is Reshaping Blockchain Technology As Africa continues to lead in Bitcoin adoption and blockchain innovation, a new frontier is emerging that connects cryptocurrency technology with renewable energy solutions. In a recent interview, John Wainaina Karanja, co-founder and CEO of Melanin Solar and founder of BitHub Africa, ... Read more

Bitcoin Energy
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Bitcoin's Technical Evolution: 14 Years of Focused Development

Bitcoin’s Technical Evolution: 14 Years of Development

Explore Bitcoin's remarkable technical journey over 14 years with insights from John Wainaina Karanja of Melanin Solar and renowned Bitcoin educator Jimmy Song. Discover how Bitcoin's focused development on security and verifiability sets it apart from other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, and understand the real challenges facing Bitcoin adoption in Africa.

Bitcoin Black Blockchain Summit
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Bitcoin Black Liberation

Bitcoin and Black Liberation: Sinclair Skinner’s Journey

Sinclair Skinner, founder of BitMari, shares his pioneering journey in Bitcoin and blockchain technology from 2012. From early Bitcoin conferences with only 10 Black attendees to building fintech solutions across Africa and the US, Skinner discusses how Bitcoin represents financial sovereignty and liberation for the African diaspora while addressing historical erasure of Black contributions to technology and innovation.

Bitcoin Events
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deriving bitcoin value

Bitcoin Store of Value: African Investment Guide 2024

Professional trader reveals why Bitcoin outperformed traditional African investments by 150% in 2023. Learn how Bitcoin serves as the ultimate store of value for Kenyan investors, beating forex, commodities, and local assets. Discover practical Bitcoin adoption strategies for African markets and the future of cryptocurrency regulation in East Africa.

Bitcoin Lightning Network
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solar wind

How Blockchain Powers Sustainable Energy in Africa

Discover how John Wainaina Karanja of Melanin Solar is revolutionizing energy access across Africa using blockchain technology and cryptocurrency mining. Learn about the innovative Whive Protocol that converts excess solar energy into digital tokens, creating peer-to-peer energy markets for underserved communities while driving sustainable development goals.

Bitcoin Black Blockchain Summit
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blockchain tech

ProofOfWork Show S01E05 Chaining em Blocks!

Blockchain is a data structure that stores records in a queue system. There are two types of blockchains: public and private. Public blockchains, like Bitcoin, allow anyone to view all transactions, while private blockchains restrict access to authorized individuals. In this session, we explain that a “block” is essentially a bundle of transactions. This bundling ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
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coin supply

ProofOfWork Show S01E04 Coin Supply & Demand!

In this episode we explain that supply and demand, fundamental principles in economics, also apply to Bitcoin and its pricing. These forces can either increase or decrease supply and demand, thereby affecting price. Bitcoin was developed to address issues like inflation that erode people’s purchasing power over time. Traditional financial systems, managed by governments or ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
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miners incentives

ProofOfWork Show S01E03 Incentives in Crypto! 

In this episode, the focus is on the role of incentives in blockchain technology, specifically in Bitcoin, to ensure network security. Two main consensus algorithms for providing these incentives are discussed: Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS). In PoW, miners use computational power to solve complex equations, thereby creating new coins and ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
218 22 45
sri-lanka-bitcoin

ProofOfWork Show S01E02 Inflation & Issuance!

In this episode, we discuss the recent political upheaval in Sri Lanka due to high inflation and examines the role of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in the global economy. The conversation explores the evolving definitions and forms of money, from barter systems to digital currencies. We emphasize that Bitcoin serves as digital money, sharing similar properties ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
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laptops mining

ProofOfWork Show S01E01 Laptops are for Mining!

In this episode we discuss how the Melanin Solar project uses blockchain technology and CPU mining to enable community members to trade electricity. Utilizing the Lightning Network and the Whive protocol, the system allows energy to be stored and shared as digital tokens. Over 2,000 people are expected to gain affordable power access through this ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
218 22 284
John Karanja Futurism Forum

Blockchain Energy Solutions: Transforming Africa’s Power Grid

Discover how BitHub Africa Africa's John Wainaina Karanja is revolutionizing energy access across Africa using blockchain technology. Learn about Melanin Solar's innovative approach to creating peer-to-peer energy marketplaces, tokenizing solar power, and connecting 500,000 households through cryptocurrency mining concepts that could lift communities out of poverty.

Bitcoin Educative
218 22 45
Building Africa's Blockchain Future: From Bitcoin Mining to Renewable Energy Solutions

Africa’s Blockchain Future: Bitcoin Mining & Renewable Energy

John Wainaina Karanja, engineering lead of Whive Protocol and founder of BitHub Africa Africa, debunks Bitcoin energy myths and reveals how proof-of-work mining can power Africa's renewable energy revolution. Discover why Bitcoin uses 75% renewable energy and how African nations can leverage hydroelectric resources for sustainable blockchain development.

Bitcoin Energy
218 22 45
whive announcement

The Whive Protocol & Network Launches on 02/02/2020!

The Whive Network is now live with the first block being created at 19:39:20 UTC on Sunday 02/02/2020. Whive, is a peer-to-peer blockchain protocol that is incentivizing the building of sustainable energy solutions through Trustless Rewards. The protocol achieves this through a hybrid Proof-of-Work(POW) & Proof-Of-Stake(POS) consensus algorithm that favors devices with CPU(small) processors & are located in regions with ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
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KubitX - BitHubAfrica Partnership

Announcing Melanin Academy an Internship Program for Africa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Nairobi, Kenya: September 30, 2019 BitHub.Africa, a Blockchain Accelerator focused on driving Financial and Energy access across Africa is announcing the launch of Melanin Academy which will provide a 6-month long Blockchain Engineering Training and Internship program to selected youth across the African continent. This will be done in partnership with KubitX a ... Read more

Bitcoin Black Blockchain Summit
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From Banking Capital to Bitcoin Advocacy

From Banking Capital to Bitcoin: A Journey of Advocacy

Discover how one Bitcoin advocate transformed from working in America's banking capital to writing a groundbreaking book on Bitcoin and Black America. Learn about the challenges, scams, and solutions in cryptocurrency adoption, plus insights on reparations through Bitcoin and the importance of education in avoiding common pitfalls.

Bitcoin Educative
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Understanding M-Pesa: Africa's Mobile Money Pioneer

M-Pesa vs Bitcoin: Africa’s Mobile Money Revolution

Discover how Kenya's M-Pesa mobile money system paved the way for Bitcoin adoption in Africa. BitHub Africa Africa's John Wainaina Karanja explains the key differences between centralized mobile money and decentralized cryptocurrency, revealing why Bitcoin offers unprecedented financial freedom for African entrepreneurs and the unbanked population.

Bitcoin
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Evolution of Blockchain in Africa

Blockchain Evolution in Africa: BitHub Africa’s Journey & Growth

BitHub Africa Africa founder John Wainaina Karanja shares insights on blockchain's evolution across Africa, from humble beginnings in 2014 to today's thriving ecosystem. Discover how Kenya is positioning itself as a blockchain hub, government support initiatives, and the transformative potential of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency adoption across African markets and communities.

Bitcoin Events
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Blockchain Essentials

Blockchain Essentials Training at Strathmore University

Blockchain is a booming sector with ample opportunities waiting for you in the market. If you think you have the right skill sets to work in Blockchain domain and wish to get adapted to this trending wave, then you should be able to take the necessary actions to enjoy the power of this revolutionary platform.In ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
218 22 45
The Rise of Africa's Blockchain Innovation Hub

Africa’s Blockchain Hub: Bitcoin Innovation Revolution

Discover how African innovators are leveraging blockchain technology to bypass corrupt systems and create financial inclusion. From Kenya's mobile money solutions to Ethiopia's coffee supply chain, explore the revolutionary potential of Bitcoin and blockchain across Africa's emerging tech ecosystem.

Bitcoin
22 45
Blockchain Award

BitHub Africa wins Award at the Global Blockchain Congress 2018

We are thrilled to announce that BitHub Africa was awarded as the, Most Promising Blockchain Accelerator, at the Global Blockchain Congress 2018 that was held in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa on July 16 & 17, 2018. The Global Blockchain Awards are designed to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in the adoption of Blockchain technology. The congress ... Read more

Bitcoin
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The Current Landscape: Challenges as Catalysts for Innovation

Bitcoin Innovation Challenges: Catalysts for African Growth

Explore how current challenges in Africa's Bitcoin ecosystem are driving unprecedented innovation across the continent. From regulatory hurdles to infrastructure gaps, discover why obstacles are becoming opportunities for blockchain adoption and how African developers are leading transformative solutions in the global cryptocurrency landscape.

Bitcoin Educative
218 22 284
The Current State of Blockchain Adoption in Africa

Blockchain Adoption in Africa: Real Solutions Beyond Hype

BitHub Africa Africa's John Wainaina Karanja reveals how blockchain technology is transforming African communities through cross-border payments, agricultural financing, and solar-powered cryptocurrency mining. Discover real-world use cases from Zimbabwe to Kenya that prove blockchain's potential goes far beyond speculation to create lasting economic impact.

Bitcoin Educative
218 22 45
BitMari Lightning

First Lightning Network Remittance: Nigeria to Zimbabwe

Witness history as BitMari conducts Africa's first Lightning Network remittance transaction from Nigeria to Zimbabwe. This groundbreaking demonstration showcases instant cross-border payments using Bitcoin's Lightning Network, revolutionizing how Africans send money across borders with near-zero fees and lightning-fast settlement times.

Bitcoin Lightning Network
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Tech Lex 101: Blockchain Technology & Cryptocurrencies

  On the 5th of April we had the privilege of attending this arguably interesting meet up event at Mettā, Nairobi. The panel to discuss the legal issues around Blockchain Technology & Cryptocurrency was Michel Kimani, an entrepreneur with Africoin, Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, an advocate from Legal Hackers, our very own John Karanja, Mutugi Mutegi an advocate ... Read more

Bitcoin Energy
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Understanding Bitcoin's Peer-to-Peer Foundation

Bitcoin’s Peer-to-Peer Foundation: How P2P Networks Work

Discover how Bitcoin's revolutionary peer-to-peer foundation eliminates intermediaries and creates trustless transactions. Learn about the blockchain technology, open-source development, and decentralized architecture that makes Bitcoin's P2P network the cornerstone of digital finance revolution across Africa and globally.

Bitcoin
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Tutorial: Set up a Bitcoin Lightning Node on a Raspberry Pi!

This guide was written by Edwin Kiaraho, a Community Member at BitHub Africa. Reach Edwin at ekairu(at)alumni.cmu.edu. Prerequisites This guide was pieced together from several other online guides including: http://dev.lightning.community/overview/ https://github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/blob/master/docs/INSTALL.md https://medium.com/@stadicus/noobs-guide-to–lightning-on-a-raspberry-pi-f0ab7525586e   Port Forwarding Unless your Raspberry Pi is hosted on the network DMZ with a public IP address, you will need to forward incoming ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
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Meetup: UNICEF funding opportunity for Blockchain startups

The UNICEF Innovation Fund has determined that it is looking to make $50-90K equity-free investments to provide early stage (seed) finance to for-profit technology startups that have the potential to benefit humanity. BitHub Africa hosted the UNICEF InnovationFund Meetup on Saturday, 27 January 2018 at its space in Hurlingham. Ms. Ariam, the UNICEF Learning Lead ... Read more

Bitcoin
218 22 45

BitMari.com Bitcoin Bus Tour & Pitching Competition

BitMari a blockchain startup incubated by BitHub Africa, has teamed up with the National Society of Black Engineers to bring you a unique opportunity to tackle financial challenges across the global African Diaspora. Through its iLoveBlackPeople bus tour, BitMari has been inviting undergraduate students, graduate student, and professionals across all fields, including developers, designers, product developers, and ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
154 22 45
Scammers Everywhere

Bitcoin Scams and Social Media!

Bitcoin adoption is growing all over the world. And this sets people up to the whims of scammers who are ever devising ingenious ways to rid people of their hard-earned coins. Especially with the price of Bitcoin is on a very positive trajectory, presently almost crossing the $5,000 psychological line, even so for brief moment. ... Read more

Bitcoin
218 22 45

The Essentials of Bitcoin Mining

Mining Bitcoin has undergone quite the evolution since the days of yore when you could labour away on the edge of your seat while you typed away on a laptop. But then again, the trajectory of technology is to ever lean forward, thusly, one cannot fail to behold the smorgasbord of mining technology in the ... Read more

Bitcoin Energy
218 22 45
Develop Bitcoin Hub in Africa

BitDroids: Bitcoin & Android Technological Developments Meetup

On Saturday, 22nd April 2017, BitHub Africa hosted a Bitcoin and Android meetup dubbed Bitdroids. The goal of the meetup was to discuss Bitcoin developments on the Android platform. The event was sponsored by BTC.com a leading Bitcoin Wallet platform operating in emerging and developing countries. Every attendee was trained on how to download, install, secure ... Read more

Bitcoin
218 22 45
Central Bank Digital Currencies: An Inevitable Reality for Africa

Central Bank Digital Currencies: An Inevitable Reality for Africa

The Future of Cryptocurrency Regulation in Africa: Central Bank Digital Currencies and Regulatory Sandboxes As blockchain technology continues to evolve across Africa, a recent panel discussion featuring banking experts, lawyers, and industry entrepreneurs explored the critical questions surrounding cryptocurrency regulation, compliance challenges, and the inevitable rise of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) on the continent. ... Read more

Bitcoin
218 22 45
John Karanja - Founder and Consulting Lead at BitHub.Africa - Blockchain Accelerator

John Karanja – Founder and Consulting Lead at BitHub.Africa – Blockchain Accelerator

When I stepped onto that stage to talk about the African blockchain opportunity, I was thinking about a 26-year-old young man I’d met during our travels. He’d literally pulled his family out of poverty using Bitcoin – through trading, mining, building his own business. That’s the power of permissionless innovation, and that’s exactly what Africa ... Read more

Bitcoin
Africa BitHub Africa Blockchain
The Foundation: From M-Pesa to Bitcoin

The Foundation: From M-Pesa to Bitcoin

Unlocking Africa’s Blockchain Potential: How Bitcoin is Revolutionizing Financial Inclusion Across the Continent As blockchain technology continues to reshape the global financial landscape, Africa stands at the forefront of a revolutionary transformation. In this compelling presentation, John Wainaina Karanja, founder and consulting lead of BitHub Africa, shares insights into how Bitcoin and blockchain technology are ... Read more

Bitcoin Educative
154 218 22

Highlights from the 1st Bitcoin Roundtable & Nyamachoma Barbecue #NyamaNaBitcoin

BitHub Africa held the first Bitcoin Roundtable and Nyamachoma Barbecue targeting Techpreneurs & Startups on Saturday 18th March 2017 at the new Incubator in Nairobi. The event targeted entrepreneurs looking to use the Bitcoin blockchain as a network to develop or scale solutions. The topics and event speakers were as follows: The African Blockchain Opportunity – ... Read more

Bitcoin
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Blockchain Africa Conference 2017 Coverage

BitHub Africa was at the Blockchain Africa Conference that happened on 2-3 March 2017 in Johannesburg and covered the events with curated tweets for the two days. [View the story “Blockchain Africa Conference Coverage #BAC17” on Storify]

Bitcoin Events
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A deep dive into LocalBitcoins.com the Bitcoin marketplace.

LocalBitcoins.com is a peer-to-peer service that allows people to connect with each other to buy and sell bitcoin ‘in person’. This term ‘in person’ is a broad term that doesn’t necessarily mean that the transacting parties have to be in the same geographical location or space-time continuum. Though it is not to say that they ... Read more

Bitcoin
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Bitcoin Adoption in Africa: Breaking Banking Barriers

Discover how Bitcoin is revolutionizing financial freedom across Africa by eliminating banking restrictions, reducing transaction costs, and providing 24/7 access to money transfers. Learn why African Bitcoin leaders are driving blockchain adoption to overcome traditional financial limitations and create economic opportunities.

Bitcoin
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Scam Alert

What Does Bitcoin and Charles Ponzi Have in Common?

“Chi da savio operar vuole, pensi al fine.” An Italian proverb to allude to Charles Ponzi’s descent to mean Think on the end before you begin, buyer beware.When I think about Ponzi schemes and the people who perpetrate them, one thing comes to mind- that the best ponzis happen around, within an innovation. Bitcoin is ... Read more

Bitcoin
218 22 45
The Real Africa Rising: Beyond the Headlines

The Real Africa Rising: Beyond the Headlines

Building Africa’s Financial Future: Why Blockchain Technology is Our Path to Economic Sovereignty My fellow African innovators, I want to share something that’s been burning in my heart for over a decade now. When I first discovered Bitcoin and blockchain technology, I wasn’t just seeing code and cryptography – I was seeing the keys to ... Read more

Bitcoin
Africa BitHub Africa Blockchain
Understanding Blockchain's Role in Africa's Development

Understanding Blockchain’s Role in Africa’s Development

Unlocking Africa’s Blockchain Revolution: How Bitcoin and Distributed Ledgers Are Transforming African FinTech As Africa continues its remarkable economic rise, blockchain technology emerges as a powerful catalyst for solving longstanding challenges across the continent. From land registry inefficiencies to cross-border payment hurdles, distributed ledger technology offers unprecedented opportunities for financial inclusion and innovation. Here’s how ... Read more

Bitcoin
218 22 45

Engaging African Central Banks & Regulators at DFS Workshop

BitHub.Africa was invited by Bankable Frontier Associates, a global strategy consulting firm, to speak to representatives from African Central Banks and Regulators at the Digital Finance Services(DFS) Workshop hosted at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi. John Karanja, our Lead Consultant gave a presentation on The Blockchain Opportunity for Financial Inclusion which covered the ... Read more

Bitcoin
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The Blockchain Opportunity AITEC launch

AITEC Africa and BitHub.Africa partnered to launch the presale for our Report titled The Blockchain Opportunity at the 10th Anniversary of the AITEC Banking & Mobile Money Conference on 31 August 2016 at the Sarova Panafric hotel. See a video presentation on The African Blockchain Opportunity at the conference below: The conference, themed “Technology to secure and transform financial ... Read more

Bitcoin Events
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Notes from the Hack4Farming hackathon in Nairobi

The BitHub.Africa team was at the Hack4Farming hackathon facilitated by aWhere and our partners IOTAtoken whom we were representing. During the two day hackathon we were able to work with and advise the various #AgriTech startups present during the day. Among the teams represented were: MbeguBora AgData Seedex The winning was MbeguBora which in Swahili Kenya’s national ... Read more

Bitcoin
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Bitcoin Blockchain Opportunities for African Businesses

Discover how Bitcoin's decentralized digital currency creates unprecedented opportunities for African businesses. From eliminating transaction fees to accessing global markets, learn why blockchain technology is transforming Africa's financial landscape and empowering economic growth across the continent.

Bitcoin
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DotFinanceAfrica Blockchain Panel

BitHub Africa at Dot Finance Africa Conference

BitHub.Africa recently attended the Dot Finance Africa conference in Nairobi Kenya. The 2 day conference on 4th and 5th May touched on the financial technology and banking sectors with a focus on solutions for Africa. Our Founder John Karanja was both a Speaker and Panelist and shared a stage with Chris Skinner, Jon Matonis and ... Read more

Bitcoin Events
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Building Africa's Blockchain Foundation

Building Africa’s Blockchain Foundation

When people ask me what BitHub Africa is really about, I always start with this: we’re not just another tech consultancy. We’re the bridge between Africa’s incredible human potential and the revolutionary power of blockchain technology. After spending a decade in these trenches, I’ve learned that our continent doesn’t need to copy-paste solutions from Silicon ... Read more

Bitcoin
Africa BitHub Africa Blockchain
The Vision Behind BitHub Africa

The Vision Behind BitHub Africa

BitHub Africa: Pioneering Blockchain Innovation Across the African Continent As blockchain technology continues to reshape global financial systems and digital infrastructure, Africa stands at the forefront of a revolutionary transformation. BitHub Africa, founded by visionary entrepreneur John Wainaina Karanja, has emerged as a leading blockchain incubator driving this technological revolution across the continent. With a ... Read more

Bitcoin
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African Opportunity

Results: Blockchain Opportunity Feasibility Study 2016

BitHub.Africa conducted a feasibility study on how Blockchain technology like Bitcoin could be harnessed to create new opportunities to solve problems in Africa. This was especially important given the recent decision by Kenyan Central Bank to issue a warning against Bitcoin. We surveyed 96 people who are already in the African Bitcoin Community using this form. What ... Read more

Bitcoin
218 22 45
The Vision Behind BitHub Africa

BitHub Africa Africa’s Vision: Blockchain Innovation Across Kenya

Discover how BitHub Africa Africa, Kenya's leading blockchain incubator, is driving innovation across key sectors. From land registry systems to cross-border remittances, founder John Wainaina Karanja shares his vision for blockchain technology's transformative potential in Africa's growing digital economy.

Bitcoin
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Bitcoin Rush

Bitcoin Rush Features BitHub.Africa

Bitcoin Rush a popular Crypto news channel on youtube featured us on its 61st episode. Bitcoin Rush does monthly features on bitcoin developments around the World using a interesting and informative format. Our Founder John Karanja was featured in the open minute and discussed the goals of BitHub in Africa. Watch the video below: The ... Read more

Bitcoin
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Hello World! Welcome to BitHub.Africa

Welcome to BitHub Africa the first Blockchain Accelerator catering to Africa’s needs. We are driving the adoption of Blockchain technology like Bitcoin across the African continent. Our Mission is to spread information and knowledge on the cutting edge Blockchain technologies emerging within the Global marketplace with the aim of solving problems here in Africa. Our Goal ... Read more

Bitcoin
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