In April 2025, Bitcoiners from across the world will converge in Douala, Cameroon, for the Conference Bitcoin Afrique (CBA), a groundbreaking event dedicated to Bitcoin adoption in French-speaking African countries.

This is not just another crypto or Bitcoin event — it will be a focused, high-impact gathering that aims to educate, empower, and connect the French-speaking Bitcoin community like never before.

With over 400 in-person attendees expected and a digital reach exceeding 50,000 people via social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Youtube, and TikTok, this conference represents a crucial milestone in Bitcoin adoption across French-speaking Africa.

But why is this event French-only and Bitcoin-only? And why is hosting it in Douala, Cameroon, so significant? Let’s explore.

The Franc CFA: A Legacy of Economic Dependence

To understand why Bitcoin adoption is gaining traction in French-speaking Africa, one must first understand the controversial Franc CFA — a colonial-era currency used by 14 African nations and controlled by the French Treasury.

For decades, this system has hindered economic sovereignty, imposed high inflation rates, and restricted monetary policy independence for millions of people.

Unlike Africans living in English-speaking Africa countries, who often enjoy greater monetary autonomy, Africans in French-speaking African nations remain tethered to a financial system that prioritizes stability for France over the economic growth of Africa.

This is where Bitcoin comes in.

Bitcoin offers an alternative: an open, decentralized, and inflation- and censorship-resistant financial system. It empowers individuals to take control of their wealth without having to rely on centralized institutions or foreign influence.

Conference Bitcoin Afrique is dedicated to showcasing how Bitcoin can help break these economic chains.

Why a French-only Bitcoin Conference?

Despite the growing Bitcoin adoption worldwide, French-speaking Africa remains underserved when it comes to Bitcoin conferences.

Most major Bitcoin conferences, educational resources, and businesses are heavily English-centric, leaving millions of French-speaking Africans behind in the global Bitcoin movement.

By making Conference Bitcoin Afrique a French-only conference, we are dismantling the language barrier that has long prevented access to Bitcoin education and networking opportunities. This is not just a regional event—it is a movement to establish French-speaking Africa as a major force in the global Bitcoin economy.

For international businesses and Bitcoin advocates, this is a unique opportunity to engage with an untapped market, create localized solutions, and build relationships with grassroots Bitcoiners driving adoption on the ground.

Why Bitcoin-Only?

Unlike many crypto conferences that mix Bitcoin with thousands of altcoins and blockchain projects, Conference Bitcoin Afrique is Bitcoin-only. Here’s why:

• Bitcoin is the only truly decentralized and censorship-resistant digital asset.
• It has the strongest network security and adoption globally.
• It is the best tool for financial sovereignty in Africa.
• It aligns with long-term wealth preservation, not speculation.

The “crypto” narrative in Africa has often been tainted by scams, Ponzi schemes, and unreliable tokens. Many people have lost money chasing hype, and we believe it’s time to refocus on Bitcoin’s core mission: financial freedom and economic empowerment.

At Conference Bitcoin Afrique, attendees won’t be bombarded with questionable “investment opportunities” or flashy tech gimmicks. Instead, they will gain real insights, practical tools, and networking opportunities that support the real-world adoption of Bitcoin.

It’s worth noting that this is not the first Bitcoin-only conference in the region. In fact, we draw inspiration from several pioneering events:

• Dakar Bitcoin Days in Senegal was the very first Bitcoin conference held in French on the continent, setting a precedent for accessible, localized Bitcoin education.
• Bitcoin Mastermind in Benin, organized by Loic Kassamotto and Alphons Mehoume, and the efforts of Nourou with two editions of Dakar Bitcoin Days have all laid the groundwork for what we aim to build.
• The African Bitcoin Conference also deserves to be mentioned for its significant contributions as an inspiration and benchmark.

With CBA, we are attempting to create a larger Bitcoin educational platform for the region so that we can make our collective voice louder.

Our long-term vision is to bring Conference Bitcoin Afrique to different French-speaking countries in subsequent editions, further expanding the reach and impact of Bitcoin education across Africa.

Why Douala, Cameroon?

Douala is the economic capital of Cameroon, a major trade hub, and one of the most Bitcoin-active cities in the region.

Hosting Conference Bitcoin Afrique in Akwa, the city’s central business district, is strategic for several reasons:

• Accessibility: Douala is well-connected to other African cities and international locations.
• Growing Bitcoin Community: The city has a thriving Bitcoin scene with active P2P trading, businesses accepting Bitcoin, and grassroots education initiatives.
• Strategic Location: Cameroon is at the heart of French-speaking Africa, making it an ideal meeting point for attendees from West and Central Africa.

For global Bitcoin advocates, this is a unique chance to experience firsthand how Bitcoin is transforming everyday life in French-speaking Africa.

Get Involved

Bitcoiners, businesses, and global stakeholders can support this initiative by purchasing tickets or sponsoring the event.

Information about both is available via the conference’s website.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Conference Bitcoin Afrique is more than just an event — it is a movement. And it aims to liberate French-speaking Africa from financial colonialism, to educate communities on the power of Bitcoin, and to connect international Bitcoiners with a rapidly growing market.

The time to act is now. Join us in Douala from April 25th to 27th, 2025, and be part of history.

This is a guest post by Nzonda Fotsing. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.

The next edition of bitcoin++ will be taking place February 19-22, 2025 at the ACATE Centro de Inovação in Florianópolis, Brazil. This edition of the conference is breaking from the usual narrowly focused topical structure(the last conference in Berlin focused exclusively on the subject of ecash), and is essentially going to be one big hackathon. 

Catering to developers, engineers, and innovators, the event promises to be a valuable experience both for veteran contributors in the space as well as developers looking to dip their toes into the Bitcoin ecosystem. 

What to Expect:

• Workshops and Technical Sessions: Learn from top-tier professionals in the Bitcoin space. Sessions will cover a range of topics including advanced cryptography, wallet development, Layer 2 solutions, and the latest Bitcoin protocol improvements.
• Live Hacking Challenges: Developers will be able to participate in live coding challenges, contributing to innovative Bitcoin-related projects and protocols.
• Networking Opportunities: Meet and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals, including developers, engineers, and industry leaders working at the forefront of Bitcoin’s evolution.

If you are a developer building in the Bitcoin space, or interested in getting started, this event is a must attend. More information can be found, and tickets purchased, here. 

Don’t miss out on your chance for a valuable in person learning experience with some of the smartest developers in the ecosystem. 

The sounds of cannons and cheers fill the air as Tampa Bay’s famous Gasparilla Parade of Pirates begins, drawing a crowd of over 600,000 people. Among the colorful floats and pirate-themed fun, one float stands out— The world’s first Bitcoin Pirate ship proudly flying the Bitcoin Bay Foundation flag. For the first time ever, Bitcoin is part of this historic event, and Bitcoin Bay is once again making history.

As parade-goers stop by Bitcoin Bay’s tent along the parade route, they’re welcomed with food, drinks, and an invitation to learn more about this mission-driven organization. But how did Bitcoin Bay get here? How did a small group of Bitcoin fans grow into an organization big enough to earn a spot in Tampa’s biggest celebration?

Growing a Bitcoin Economy in Tampa Bay

Bitcoin Bay’s journey started in October 2021 when one of our founders, @bennyhodl, hosted the first Bitdevs meetup. It began with just a few people talking about Bitcoin outside a local restaurant, but it soon grew into something much bigger. We had a vision: to make Bitcoin Bay the go-to place for everything Bitcoin in Tampa Bay. We wanted to create a local economy powered by Bitcoin, where people could connect, learn, and spend their bitcoin.

With a clear mission and a committed team, Bitcoin Bay quickly gained steam. Weekly meetups turned into a strong network where newcomers, developers, and business owners could connect, learn, and share ideas. Bitcoin Bay became more than just a meetup; we were a resource for Bitcoin knowledge and support in the region.

The 2023 Miami Bitcoin Conference was a watershed moment for The Bay. Competing in the first Bitcoin Games against grassroots meetup groups from across the country, Bitcoin Bay won the grand prize of 1 BTC. But instead of keeping the entire prize, we chose to share half of it with other Bitcoin meetups in a follow up competition.

At the time, we had no idea what the ripple effects of this would be. We’ve since consulted with and inspired other groups to take on similar missions. Denver Bitdevs, one of the recipients, has even opened their own Bitcoin community hub called “The Space.” By sharing our prize, we showed that Bitcoin Bay is here not only for our own growth but to support Bitcoin communities everywhere.

By the end of 2023, we became the world’s first Bitcoin-only meetup to receive 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. This recognition helped us grow even more and allowed us to reach more people in the Tampa Bay area.

Building a Strong, Supportive Community

Since the beginning, Bitcoin Bay has made a real impact across Tampa Bay. Our members support each other’s businesses, like HVAC services, estate planning, and even local beef suppliers. Our ethos of Community, Prosperity, and Resilience guides us as we build a connected network where people can rely on each other.

One of our proudest achievements was hosting the Sound Money Soiree, our first charity gala attended by 120 people, including business leaders, Bitcoiners, and community leaders. Together, we raised nearly $30,000 to support our mission. This money has gone toward expanding our outreach and growing our community, helping us make a bigger impact in Tampa Bay.

Education is a major part of Bitcoin Bay’s mission. Through partnerships with the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida, we’re bringing Bitcoin education to students. We provide guest lectures, internships, and this summer, we’re hosting our first Bitcoin summer camps. By investing in the next generation, we’re making sure Bitcoin’s potential continues to grow in Tampa Bay.

Our community’s resilience was tested when hurricanes Helene and Milton struck. Bitcoin Bay members quickly came together to help. Volunteers formed cleanup teams to clear debris, while others helped coordinate food, water, and gas for those in need. This showed that Bitcoin Bay’s mission to build a strong, resilient community is more than just words—it’s a way of life.

Looking Ahead: The Journey Continues

As Bitcoin Bay’s Pirate float sails down the Gasparilla Parade route, it’s more than a celebration—it’s a statement. We are here to build, educate, and empower. This float represents a year of hard work, resilience, and community spirit, and it marks the beginning of our next chapter.

“We’re excited to bring Bitcoin to the Gasparilla Parade and share our mission with Tampa Bay,” says President Wesley Schlemmer. “Bitcoin Bay is more than an organization; it’s a movement shaping the future of our local community and beyond.”

To learn more about the Bitcoin Bay Foundation, Gasparilla event details, and how you can get involved in their community efforts, please visit:

* Website: bitcoinbay.foundation

* Twitter: @bitcoinbaytpa

* Nostr: npub1tampasjf5z0rllvrh8nlqckrjtzzj9590uljzeuu6ymsr8hq9pjsrw0ynt

* Email: Wesley@bitcoinbay.foundation

Together, we’re building a better future with Bitcoin. We invite all Bitcoiners to join us on this exciting journey and make history with us!

This is a guest post by Bitcoin Bay Foundation. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.