KIBERA, Kenya — In the heart of Kibera, often regarded as Africa's largest urban slum, members of the Livegreat Foundation are pioneering a new approach to waste management. They proudly display their bitcoin wallets and QR codes on their mobile phones as they receive payments in cryptocurrency following a community cleanup exercise on Sunday, May 4, 2025. This innovative initiative not only addresses the pressing issue of waste management but also introduces a digital financial system to one of the most underbanked areas in the country.

The Livegreat Foundation's efforts are part of a broader movement within the Soweto West neighborhood of Kibera, where around 200 individuals are now using bitcoin as a form of payment. This shift towards cryptocurrency is primarily facilitated by AfriBit Africa, a Kenyan fintech company that aims to enhance financial inclusion in impoverished areas. With many residents lacking traditional banking options, the adoption of bitcoin represents a significant step towards empowering individuals financially.

Ronnie Mdawida, co-founder of AfriBit Africa and a former community worker, sheds light on the challenges faced by residents in Kibera. “In many cases, people in Kibera do not have an opportunity to secure their lives with normal savings,” he explains. “With bitcoin, they do not need documentation to have a bank account, which gives them the foundation for financial freedom.” Since its inception in 2009, bitcoin has emerged as the first and largest cryptocurrency, created as a decentralized asset designed to serve as an alternative payment method.

Bitcoin has increasingly been viewed not just as a digital currency but also as a store of value, akin to gold, especially as its price has surged nearly 1,000% over the past five years. However, despite its growing popularity, experts express concerns regarding the asset's volatility and the lack of regulatory oversight, which can pose risks to inexperienced investors.

The introduction of bitcoin in Soweto West began in early 2022, with AfriBit Africa providing crypto-denominated grants to local garbage collectors, many of whom are supported by nonprofit organizations. This initiative has engaged dozens of young people, who are typically more receptive to new technologies. After participating in community cleanup efforts, these garbage collectors receive payments equivalent to a few dollars in bitcoin, allowing them to play a crucial role in the dissemination of cryptocurrency knowledge within the neighborhood.

According to AfriBit Africa, they have injected approximately $10,000 into the local economy, with garbage collectors becoming key advocates for bitcoin in Soweto West. Given that many residents earn roughly a dollar a day, this financial support can be transformative.

Some locals have expressed their preference for bitcoin over Kenya's ubiquitous mobile money platform, M-PESA. Damiano Magak, a 23-year-old garbage collector and food vendor, highlights the advantages of using bitcoin, stating, “I prefer bitcoin to M-PESA because M-PESA transaction costs are higher and the network can be slower.” While M-PESA allows for transaction amounts up to 100 Kenyan shillings (approximately 78 cents) without fees, exceeding this limit incurs higher charges. In contrast, transactions on the Lightning Network for bitcoin are often free, especially when using platforms introduced by AfriBit Africa.

Another resident, Onesmus Many, 30, also shares his thoughts, declaring he feels more secure with his wealth stored in a bitcoin wallet rather than cash, which is susceptible to theft in the area. Merchants like Dotea Anyim, who runs a vegetable stand, have also embraced the shift towards cryptocurrency, noting that about 10% of her customers now pay with bitcoin. “I like it because it is cheap and fast and doesn’t have any transaction costs,” she adds. “When people pay using bitcoin, I save that money and use cash to restock vegetables.”

Residents are optimistic about the potential for bitcoin prices to continue rising. Both Magak and Many report that a significant portion of their net worth—around 70% to 80%—is now held in bitcoin, which raises concerns for some financial experts. Ali Hussein Kassim, a fintech entrepreneur and chair of the FinTech Alliance in Kenya, warns of the risks associated with such high exposure. “In an extremely volatile asset like bitcoin, it’s overexposure. I can’t afford to lose 80% of my wealth. How about a guy in Kibera?” he questions. Kassim acknowledges the potential benefits of digital assets but believes that the risks, particularly in a vulnerable community like Kibera, far outweigh the advantages.

While Kassim sees value in the potential for digital currencies to facilitate cheaper cross-border payments, he remains skeptical of their application in Kibera, pointing out the potential for bitcoin's price volatility to undermine any cost savings. He also raises concerns about the lack of regulatory protections that typically accompany traditional financial services.

In contrast, Mdawida argues that the absence of regulation can be seen as a positive feature. “We don’t shy away from the risks involved,” he asserts, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to educating the community about bitcoin and conducting financial literacy training and crypto courses.

Introducing bitcoin to developing regions has not been without its hurdles; for instance, El Salvador and the Central African Republic both adopted bitcoin as legal tender only to later reverse their decisions. In Kenya, the digital asset sector continues to navigate legal and regulatory challenges, including crackdowns on cryptocurrency giveaways, but the small-scale project in Soweto West has managed to operate unimpeded.

“On my phone I put notifications on when bitcoin rises … and it’s all smiles,” Magak concludes, expressing hope for the future. “Whenever it fluctuates up and down, I know at the end of the day it will just rise.”

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