Btrust Builders Strengthens Africa’s Bitcoin Ecosystem with New Development Milestones
Btrust Builders, the engineering arm of the Jack Dorsey and Jay-Z-backed Btrust endowment, has announced a significant update in its mission to decentralize Bitcoin development across the Global South.
In a recent announcement via social media, the organization highlighted its continued progress in bridging the gap between African software engineering talent and the global Bitcoin open-source community.
The update underscores Btrust’s evolving “pathway” model, designed to transition experienced developers from traditional enterprise roles into full-time contributors to the Bitcoin and Lightning Network protocols.
Empowering the Global South
Since its acquisition of the African Bitcoin talent developer Qala in 2023, Btrust Builders has rapidly scaled its educational infrastructure. The program currently offers five distinct technical tracks, ranging from “Mastering Bitcoin” fundamentals to the high-stakes “BOSS” (Bitcoin Open-Source Software) pathway.
“Our mission is to move developers from curiosity to capability, and ultimately to meaningful contribution,” the organization stated in a recent retrospective. This effort is part of a broader strategy to ensure that the future of Bitcoin is shaped by a geographically diverse group of developers who can build solutions tailored to the unique economic landscapes of Africa and beyond.
A Multi-Phase Strategy for Growth
The announcement comes as Btrust enters “Phase Three” of its development roadmap. While earlier phases focused on identification and local funding, the current phase headlined by the “Pull Partnership” initiative aims to break down logistical and geographical barriers. This includes providing African developers with mentorship from global firms like Chaincode Labs and assisting with international visa processes to ensure African voices are represented at global technical conferences.
Key Highlights of the Btrust Program:
Funded Career Paths: Top-performing graduates are eligible for Btrust grants, allowing them to leave 9-to-5 roles to focus exclusively on open-source development.
Strategic Partnerships: Ongoing collaborations with organizations like Chaincode Labs to host the annual BOSS Challenge.
Growing Alumni Network: A rising number of African “grantees” are now actively maintaining and contributing to the Bitcoin Core integration tree.
About Btrust
As Bitcoin continues to gain institutional and sovereign traction globally, Btrust Builders remains a pivotal player in ensuring that Africa is not just a consumer of the technology, but a primary architect of its future.
Launched in 2021 by Jack Dorsey and Jay-Z with an initial endowment of 500 BTC, Btrust is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding Bitcoin development.
Its subsidiary, Btrust Builders, focuses specifically on cultivating engineering talent within Africa to ensure the network remains decentralized and inclusive.
As Bitcoin continues to gain institutional and sovereign traction globally, Btrust Builders remains a pivotal player in ensuring that Africa is not just a consumer of the technology, but a primary architect of its future.