Btrust, the non-profit venture initiated by Block CEO Jack Dorsey and renowned rapper Jay-Z, with a dedicated mission to bolster Bitcoin development in Africa and India, recently made a significant stride by acquiring Qala. This organization, specialized in training African Bitcoin and Lightning engineers, transformed the acquisition and is now known as the Btrust Builders Programme.
Synergizing Strengths for Collective Advancement
The strategic collaboration between Btrust and Qala is poised as a harmonious partnership, leveraging the unique strengths of each entity to collectively propel the advancement of Bitcoin development on the African continent. Btrust, initially endowed with a substantial 500 BTC at its launch, possesses the financial backing required for such initiatives. However, it faced a structural gap hindering the effective development of the African Bitcoin talent pipeline, primarily relying on grants to fulfil its mandate.
Addressing Structural Gaps in Bitcoin Talent Development
On the other side of the spectrum, Qala possessed a robust organizational framework but grappled with financial sustainability. Its revenue model, rooted in social enterprise, meant it didn’t generate income and heavily relied on grants from organizations such as the Human Rights Foundation and Coinbase Giving. Femi Longe, Qala’s CEO, candidly expressed that the primary challenge for Qala had been financial, especially during market downturns when Bitcoin-related companies tended to tighten their budgets.
Despite successfully attracting junior to mid-level talent, Qala encountered hurdles in persuading senior-level engineers to transition into Bitcoin development, primarily due to the associated higher costs. This acquisition, therefore, becomes a strategic move to bridge these gaps, with Femi Longe and Stephanie Titcombe from Qala stepping into key roles as program leads for Btrust Builders.
The evolving focus of the program is noteworthy, with a shift towards open-source training. Btrust Builders is now actively inviting senior African software developers to participate in Bitcoin and Lightning development, thereby broadening its scope and potentially deepening the impact of its initiatives.
Board Member’s Enthusiasm and Alignment of Mission
Ojoma Ochai, a Btrust Board Member, expressed profound satisfaction in welcoming Femi Longe and the Qala team to Btrust. The alignment of Qala’s extensive outreach and world-class programs with Btrust’s core mission underscores the strategic intent behind this acquisition.
Qala’s training program unfolds in two phases: an 11-week fundamental training followed by a three-month fellowship for the cream of the crop. This aligns with the growing trend globally, where organizations like Brink and Chaincode in the West and Vinteum in Latin America actively promote Bitcoin development.
Strategic Trajectory: Impactful Evolution in the African Bitcoin Ecosystem
While the blog raises questions about the adequacy of a three-month fellowship timescale, especially when compared to Brink’s year-long commitment, feedback from Qala’s first cohort echoes a positive sentiment. Participants like Jennifer Ezeobi and Vladimir Fomene lauded the program’s intensive nature and highlighted the sense of community it fosters.
In summation, this strategic acquisition positions Btrust and Qala on a robust trajectory to address the nuanced challenges of Bitcoin development in Africa. By combining Btrust’s financial resources with Qala’s established training infrastructure, they aim to nurture a diverse talent pool and catalyze a sustainable and impactful evolution in the Bitcoin ecosystem on the African continent.
