The First South Sudan Bitcoin Meetup
- Poni Henry
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
On October 24, 2025, Scenius Hub sponsored by Digital Rights Frontlines (https://www.digitalrights.ngo/) hosted the first-ever Bitcoin Meetup in South Sudan, marking a positive step in the country’s growing interest in digital finance and blockchain technology.
The event brought together software developers, fintech entrepreneurs, crypto traders, students, and technology enthusiasts for an in-depth discussion on the future of decentralized technologies and their potential to transform economies like South Sudan’s.
Three main speakers led the discussion:
Peter Nyuol Majok – Technology professional and blockchain educator
David Marko – Founder of Sarafa Fintech
Kgothatso Ngako – Founder of Machankura (South Africa) and Exonumia Africa
The session aimed to demystify blockchain and Bitcoin, explore stablecoin adoption in Africa, and demonstrate technological solutions enabling access to digital currencies even without internet connectivity.
Session Summaries
Presentation One: Understanding Blockchain Technology
Speaker: Peter Nyuol Majok
Peter introduced participants to the fundamentals of blockchain, defining it as a distributed and immutable digital ledger that securely records transactions across multiple computers without the need for a central authority.
He described blockchain as a “shared digital book” where all participants can view recorded transactions, but none can alter them once verified.
Key Concepts Discussed:
Decentralization: Blockchain eliminates single points of control by distributing verification across multiple nodes.
Immutability: Transactions, once verified, cannot be modified, ensuring data integrity.
Transparency: All transactions are visible to network participants without revealing personal identities.
Cryptography: Each transaction carries a unique “hash” or digital signature, ensuring security and traceability.
Smart Contracts: Automated agreements that execute predefined actions such as payments or land ownership transfers.
Applications Highlighted:
Peter explained that blockchain has numerous use cases beyond cryptocurrencies, including:
Land Registries: Preventing fraudulent land sales by assigning digital identifiers (hashes) to property records.
Healthcare Systems: Protecting medical data integrity and ensuring patient confidentiality.
Supply Chain Management: Tracking goods and verifying authenticity.
Aid Distribution: Ensuring traceability in humanitarian assistance delivery.
He also introduced the concept of Web 3.0, where blockchain-powered platforms give users greater control over their data, contrasting it with the current Web 2.0 systems dominated by centralized social media platforms.
Key Takeaways:
Blockchain is not limited to financial transactions; it is an infrastructure for trust and transparency.
Smart contracts can automate systems such as property transfers and rent payments.
Blockchain adoption in South Sudan could address land fraud, corruption, and record mismanagement.
Presentation Two: Fintech and Stablecoin Integration in Africa
Speaker: David Marko, Founder of Sarafa Fintech
The second presentation explored stablecoins — cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets such as the U.S. dollar. David described stablecoins as “digital representations of the U.S. dollar on the blockchain,” which combine speed, transparency, and low cost with stability.
Key Learning Points:
Definition: Stablecoins (e.g., USDT, USDC) are digital currencies pegged 1:1 to fiat assets.
Advantages: Speed of transaction, reduced transfer costs, transparency, and independence from volatile local currencies.
Inflation Protection: Many Africans use stablecoins to preserve value against local currency depreciation.
Cross-Border Transactions: Stablecoins enable instant, low-cost payments across borders without traditional banking delays.
Liquidity and Accessibility: Sarafa Fintech uses stablecoins to provide liquidity for agents and enable remittances between countries.
David explained that stablecoins are already part of Africa’s digital ecosystem, often unknowingly used in payments such as Starlink Internet subscriptions, which are processed through stablecoin-backed transactions.
Local Context and Adoption:
In South Sudan, Sarafa Fintech facilitates crypto-to-fiat exchanges through branches in Juba, Bor, and Rumbek.
Over-the-counter (OTC) services allow customers to exchange stablecoins for cash or deposit local currency to receive digital assets.
Cross-border payments between South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda are increasingly powered by stablecoins.
David emphasized the need for education, partnerships, and regulatory clarity to harness stablecoins as tools for financial inclusion in South Sudan.
Presentation Three: Bitcoin for Everyone – Access Beyond the Internet
Speaker: Kgothatso Ngako, Founder of Machankura & Exonumia Africa
Kgothatso’s session focused on practical innovations to make Bitcoin accessible in low-connectivity environments.
He introduced Machankura, a service enabling users to send and receive Bitcoin via USSD codes, eliminating the need for internet access or smartphones. This innovation is particularly relevant for Africa, where mobile penetration (84%) far exceeds internet penetration (below 50%).
Key Points Covered:
Machankura’s Vision: To make Bitcoin usable on any device, from feature phones to smartphones.
How It Works: Users dial a USSD code to send, receive, or check Bitcoin balances.
Use of Lightning Network: Enables near-instant Bitcoin transactions at low cost.
Decentralization and Financial Freedom: Bitcoin provides an opportunity for Africans to adopt a currency not controlled by any government.
He also presented Exonumia, a parallel project dedicated to translating Bitcoin and blockchain educational materials into African languages. He invited South Sudanese participants to collaborate by translating content into local languages such as Dinka, Bari, and Nuer, emphasizing that local language accessibility is key to widespread adoption.
Key Takeaways:
Bitcoin can operate without internet, making it viable even in rural or low-infrastructure areas.
Local language education is critical for true inclusion in digital finance.
Decentralized currencies like Bitcoin empower Africans to redefine their relationship with money and technology.
Key Learning Outcomes
Blockchain technology provides a transparent, secure framework applicable across sectors.
Stablecoins are solving real financial challenges, including inflation and foreign exchange shortages.
Bitcoin offers a decentralized alternative for cross-border transactions and savings.
USSD innovation bridges the gap between digital currency and low-connectivity regions.
Education and localization (language translation, community outreach) are crucial for adoption.
South Sudan’s fintech potential lies in integrating blockchain to strengthen transparency and financial inclusion.
Conclusion
The South Sudan Bitcoin Meetup successfully introduced participants to emerging digital finance technologies shaping Africa’s economic future. It demonstrated how blockchain and cryptocurrency can address structural challenges such as inflation, currency instability, and limited access to traditional banking.
Through the presentations and discussions, participants gained a practical understanding of how blockchain works, how stablecoins function, and how Bitcoin can operate without internet access.
The event concluded with a call to action for local developers, entrepreneurs, and institutions to explore blockchain-based innovations and collaborate on educational initiatives like Exonumia to localize digital literacy in South Sudan.
Recommendations
Capacity Building: Conduct follow-up workshops focused on blockchain coding, crypto wallet management, and financial literacy.
Policy Dialogue: Engage regulators and financial institutions to discuss frameworks supporting responsible crypto adoption.
Local Partnerships: Foster collaboration between South Sudanese tech hubs, fintechs, and regional innovators like Machankura and Sarafa.
Awareness Campaigns: Develop educational materials in local languages to demystify blockchain and digital currencies.
Follow this link to learn more about Digital Rights Frontlines:
Comments