Bitcoin as a Catalyst for Change in Kenya: The Story of Afribit Kibera w/ Ronnie Mdawida

Bitcoin as a Catalyst for Change in Kenya: The Story of Afribit Kibera w/ Ronnie Mdawida

From new renaissance capital by Frank Corva

February 24, 2026 · 1h 21m · Season 1 · Episode 32

About this episode

This episode explores how Afribit Kibera is using Bitcoin as a tool for social and environmental reform in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 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…

People in this episode

Host: Frank Corva

Guest: Ronnie Mdawida

Topics covered

  • Bitcoin
  • social reform
  • environmental reform
  • waste management
  • financial inclusion
  • community development

Keywords

  • Bitcoin
  • Kenya
  • Kibera
  • Afribit
  • financial inclusion
  • Lightning Network
  • crypto education
  • circular economy
  • waste management

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Afribit, BBC, Fedi, Afribit Kibera

Products: Bitcoin, M-PESA, Tando

Places: Nairobi, Kibera

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