A new Africa Bitcoin Institute has been launched to strengthen financial inclusion and give African voices a greater role in the global digital currency debate.
The institute is led by Anaïse Kanimba, daughter of Rwandan activist Paul Rusesabagina, whose story inspired the film Hotel Rwanda. Backed by the Human Rights Foundation and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the initiative aims to ensure that research and policy on Bitcoin reflect African realities rather than being shaped solely by global precedents.
Kanimba emphasized that many African governments often adopt digital currency policies modeled on international examples, overlooking local needs and challenges. The institute intends to address this gap by promoting Africa-driven research, leadership, and innovation in the Bitcoin space.
The move comes as Bitcoin adoption accelerates across Africa, driven by unstable currencies, inflation, and costly cross-border transactions. From community-level use in places like Nairobi’s Kibera settlement to institutional experiments in countries like Kenya, the continent has become an important testing ground for digital financial solutions.
By placing African experiences and perspectives at the center, the Africa Bitcoin Institute seeks to ensure that the continent is not just a passive recipient of digital finance trends but an active contributor to shaping them.
