Cryptocurrencies are by far, the most widely known use-case of blockchain technology. However, the innovative tech has proven quite useful in several other sectors as proven by BitHub.
BitHub Africa is an innovative company from Kenya using blockchain technology to drive distributed energy across the continent. BitHub is a leading training institution for blockchain engineers, and aims to train over 2000 engineers to support blockchain-based solutions in Africa.
In this article, we take a deeper look at BitHub and its operations to drive blockchain adoption. Keep reading to find out more about this innovative company.
The Genesis of BitHub
BitHub’s founder is John Wainaina Karanja. He had worked in information and communications technology for five years when he came across Bitcoin and its underlying technology. John recognized its potential, especially in providing solutions for the continent’s most significant issues and set out to create BitHub to champion the technology’s adoption.
John believes Kenya is a hotbed of innovation, having pioneered several leading products in the continent, such as MPesa. He also cited the country’s higher literacy rate, developed infrastructure, and connectivity as contributing factors to the company’s location.
BitHub started its operations in Kenya in January 2016. Since then, the company has been able to train more than 4000 people on the benefits of blockchain technology and its potential on the continent.
Through its training hub, Melanin Academy, BitHub supports blockchain engineers to develop and deploy its kickstarting project, Melanin Solar. The project uses Bitcoin Lightning Network and Whive Protocol to distribute solar energy.
Supporting blockchain engineers through Melanin Academy
BitHub Africa established Melanin Academy to equipblockchain engineers on the continent with the skill sets they need to come up with solutions. The training hub currently runs a 7-day workshop for IT & computer science scientists as well as software engineers.
Throughout the 7 days, the academy holds various courses on blockchain programming and decentralization application designs. The course takes a hand-on approach and has several prerequisites, including Git, Linux, and basic programming skills.
BitHub Africa’s brain child: The Melanin Solar project
Melanin Solar is BitHub’s flagship project and leverages the Bitcoin Lightning Network and Whive protocol.
BitHub Africa funded the research and development of the Whive protocol, which launched in February 2020. The P2P blockchain protocol uses trustless rewards to build sustainable energy solutions through PoW and PoS.
Melanin Solar is the first project of its kind in Africa addressing one of the continent’s largest issues-access to electricity.
In October 2021, Melanin Solar partnered with Hivos East Africa Energy to deploy the project’s first solution, the Melanin Smart Box. BitHub Africa deployed the solution in Kajiado, Kenya after five years of research.
Through the project, communities can share energy among themselves and even store any surplus through the White utility token. Melanin Solar is BitHub’s effort to help communities in rural areas access solar energy. The venture aims to realize clean energy for these communities living in outlying areas, but also residents in urban centers.
Melanin Solar is spurred by the need for decarbonization efforts on the planet, setting the pace for Africa to be at the forefront for climate justice.
