Bitcoin Dada’s Hands-On Bitcoin Mining Experience in Kenya
Bitcoin Dada, an initiative focused on Bitcoin education, recently organized a hands-on learning experience for its Cohort 8 students in partnership with Gridless Compute. This field trip provided students with practical insights into Bitcoin mining and its integration with renewable energy. The visit took place at Dwa Estate in Kibwezi, Kenya, home to the world’s first sisal-powered biomass plant. The experience emphasized how Bitcoin mining can serve as a tool for energy optimization, economic empowerment, and financial inclusion.
Bitcoin education often remains theoretical, limiting students' understanding of its real-world applications. To bridge this gap, Bitcoin Dada collaborates with industry pioneers like Gridless Compute to showcase Bitcoin’s transformative role in various sectors. This Valentine’s Day event aimed to expose students to Bitcoin’s potential beyond speculation.
Bitcoin Mining at Dwa Estate Dwa Estate features an innovative energy model where sisal waste is converted into electricity. The process follows these key steps:
Sisal waste combustion generates steam.
Steam powers turbines that produce electricity.
35% of the energy is used to run the sisal processing plant.
15% of the energy supplies local communities, reducing power outages.
The remaining energy is utilized by Gridless Compute for Bitcoin mining, ensuring no power goes to waste.
Prior to this initiative, Kibwezi faced frequent power shortages, affecting both local industries and households. The integration of Bitcoin mining has optimized energy use and contributed to community development.
Practical Learning Experience
The field trip also included a hardware security session led by Bitcoin educator @dzeg5. Students learned how to set up and manage hardware wallets, an essential aspect of Bitcoin self-custody and financial sovereignty. This session was made possible by a donation of hardware wallets from Trezor Academy during the AfroBitcoinOrg 2024 conference.
This hands-on experience allowed students to:
Understand the role of Bitcoin mining in renewable energy adoption.
Gain practical knowledge of hardware wallet security.
Witness how Bitcoin can contribute to financial empowerment in underserved regions.
The Bitcoin mining visit to Dwa Estate highlighted the real-world impact of Bitcoin beyond speculation. Bitcoin Dada successfully demonstrated how Bitcoin can be a force for economic empowerment, sustainable energy use, and community development. The event reinforced Bitcoin’s potential as a transformative technology, especially in regions facing energy challenges. As Bitcoin adoption continues to grow in Africa, initiatives like this will play a crucial role in fostering informed and engaged users.
For a full recap of the experience, watch: Inside Kenya’s Bitcoin Miners – GRIDLESS.
