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Bitcoin in East Africa & Africa

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mic

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Location: Nairobi

Coming from Nairobi Kenya (East Africa) and an avid fan & listener of the LTB show, I hear and read a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about bitcoin and how/what it can do for developing countries including Africa.

I can't speak for the whole of the 'developing world' but, I and others, can help clear out misinformation on bitcoin in East Africa. If there are other Africans out there on the LTB network, please chip in and share.

While it is great that bitcoin can enable the African continent, and I believe it can, it's also important to get the facts straight. Here is one misleading title & article

“One third of Kenyans now have a Bitcoin Wallet” – was a misleading title on an article about Kipochi.

I decided to set up this thread for discussion, links to materials and posts on the subject

Posted on July 22, 2014 at 5:10 AM
Last Edited: July 22, 2014 at 5:13 AM

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• rotalumis

  

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  @mic I hear and read a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about bitcoin and how/what it can do for developing countries including Africa.

  That's an interesting observation. I've lived in rural Guatemala (Central America) for a year, helping out with various projects, and can relate to the huge gulf between the idealized expectations of people on the outside (despite the best of intentions), compared to the reality on the ground in developing countries.

  Would you be interested in sharing your African perspective on the Crypto for Change blog I've just started on LTB, in return for LTBcoin? This could be either as an occasional guest blogger or as a regular contributor.

  A big part of the blog's goal is to reach out to citizens of developing countries and anyone who runs projects there. You can read the first post, here. It's about a different way of getting people passionate about crypto: showing them how they can use it to achieve their goals.

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 5:37 AM
  Last Edited: July 22, 2014 at 5:38 AM
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• Mike

  

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  Location: Chicago, IL

  @mic While it is great that bitcoin can enable the African continent, and I believe it can, it's also important to get the facts straight. Here is one misleading title & article

  “One third of Kenyans now have a Bitcoin Wallet” – was a misleading title on an article about Kipochi.

  I decided to set up this thread for discussion, links to materials and posts on the subject

  This is great, feel free to go on a rant here. I've become increasingly interested in Africa and it's forward potential. I would love to hear from people that are on the front lines of this. In fact, I would even be willing to commission you to conduct a few interviews with people in Africa that both are and are not interacting with bitcoin. Let me know if you'd be interested/this is possible.

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 6:06 AM
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• dpc

  

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  Location: Central California

  @mic Coming from Nairobi Kenya (East Africa) and an avid fan & listener of the LTB show, I hear and read a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about bitcoin and how/what it can do for developing countries including Africa

  It's good to hear your experience. I'd love to hear more about what Bitcoin developments your are seeing in east Africa.

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 7:52 AM
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• mic

  

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  Location: Nairobi

  @rotalumis

  @mic

  Would you be interested in sharing your African perspective on the Crypto for Change blog I've just started on LTB, in return for LTBcoin? This could be either as an occasional guest blogger or as a regular contributor.

  I'd definitely be interested. It'd have to be occasional. Its chimes with why I set up this thread! I've been planning on putting up something for the LTB community from my perspective. I'm still learning my way around the new community rewards & content scheme. Can in get in touch in the next few days?

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 12:51 PM
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• mic

  

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  Location: Nairobi

  @dpc

  sure. it's one of the reasons I put up this thread. I'll be glad to

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 12:56 PM
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• rotalumis

  

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  @mic

  @rotalumis

  @mic

  Would you be interested in sharing your African perspective on the Crypto for Change blog I've just started on LTB, in return for LTBcoin? This could be either as an occasional guest blogger or as a regular contributor.

  I'd definitely be interested. It'd have to be occasional. Its chimes with why I set up this thread! I've been planning on putting up something for the LTB community from my perspective. I'm still learning my way around the new community rewards & content scheme. Can in get in touch in the next few days?

  That's great! Take your time and just drop me a note when you're ready.

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 2:39 PM
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• JayeK

  

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  Posts: 378
  Location: Canada

  The most I've seen on Bitcoin in Africa was this video:Bitcoin in Uganda - Empowering People http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrRXP1tp6Kw I thought it showed great promise.

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 5:26 PM
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• Harry The Hippo

  

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  I was just reading about BitPesa. I hope that more of these types projects come online and we can really see the global economy feel free.

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 6:00 PM
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• mic

  

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  Location: Nairobi

  Here's a Coinbrief article Debunking myths about Kipochi, Mpesa in East Africa http://goo.gl/VSTJqA

  *disclaimer, i did the article.

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 11:41 PM
  Last Edited: July 22, 2014 at 11:41 PM
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• mic

  

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  Location: Nairobi

  @harry-the-hippo I was just reading about BitPesa. I hope that more of these types projects come online and we can really see the global economy feel free.

  Yes! BitPesa have done a great job at breaking the barrier by setting up a bitcoin based start up in Kenya. Hopefully, more will follow

  Posted on July 22, 2014 at 11:43 PM
  Last Edited: July 22, 2014 at 11:43 PM
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