Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey’s Firm Expands to Foster Bitcoin Talent in Africa

Btrust, a non-profit organization co-founded by rapper Jay-Z and Block CEO Jack Dorsey, has acquired Qala, a company specializing in Bitcoin training for African engineers. Following the acquisition, Qala will be rebranded as the Btrust Builders Program.

This strategic move aims to enhance Bitcoin development across Africa. While Btrust has the necessary financial backing, it previously lacked the infrastructure to cultivate a talent pipeline in the region. Conversely, Qala had established systems in place but struggled with sustainability as a social enterprise, which typically does not generate revenue.

Before the acquisition, Qala was reliant on funding from organizations such as Coinbase Giving and received a $100,000 grant from the Human Rights Foundation. With the new structure, Qala’s CEO, Femi Longe, and program manager Stephanie Titcombe will assume leadership roles in the Btrust Builders Program.

The revamped program will emphasize open-source training and will invite senior African software developers to engage in Bitcoin and Lightning development initiatives.

In February 2021, Jack Dorsey and Jay-Z committed 500 BTC to Btrust to support projects in India and Africa, although no specific directives were provided. Since then, Btrust has sponsored several events, including the first edition of the Africa Bitcoin Conference scheduled for December in Ghana, as part of its mission to decentralize Bitcoin development.