Photo: Instagram | Africa Bitcoin Conference
From Port Louis to online streams around the world, the Africa Bitcoin Conference 2025 (December 3–5) is the continent’s most important gathering for Bitcoin builders, activists, and entrepreneurs. This guide collects everything, such as dates, speakers, travel logistics, and session highlights on financial sovereignty and P2P systems, plus concrete next steps for developers and community leaders, so you don’t need to go anywhere else for accurate, up-to-date information.
Quick Facts: Dates, Venue, Ticket Status, How to Follow Online
Last updated: December 3, 2025, 9:46 AM IST, verified against the official conference site
- Event name: Africa Bitcoin Conference 2025 (ABC 2025), Africa’s largest gathering of the Bitcoin and freedom-tech community
- Dates: December 3–5, 2025 (with BTrust Developer Day on December 2)
- Main venues: Caudan Arts Centre (December 3–4) and Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel (December 5), Port Louis, Mauritius
- Official hashtag: Follow #ABC2025 and @AfroBitcoinOrg on X/Twitter for live updates
- Tickets link: https://afrobitcoin.org/tickets/
Why ABC 2025 Matters for Africans & African Americans
Every year, the Africa Bitcoin Conference brings together activists, innovators, and decision-makers to explore how Bitcoin safeguards fundamental freedoms, strengthens economic autonomy, and paves the way for lasting sovereignty. For African Americans and Africans across the continent and diaspora, ABC 2025 represents a critical moment to understand how Bitcoin addresses real challenges, from expensive remittances to banking exclusion, while building community power independent of intermediaries.
Financial Sovereignty Explained
Financial sovereignty means having complete control over your money without needing permission from banks, governments, or payment processors to send, receive, or store value. In practical terms, it’s the ability to hold assets in a form that cannot be frozen, censored, or confiscated by third parties. For communities historically excluded from formal banking systems or subject to capital controls, Bitcoin offers a path to economic self-determination that doesn’t depend on traditional financial infrastructure.
Why P2P Systems Matter Now
Peer-to-peer (P2P) Bitcoin systems enable direct person-to-person transactions without intermediaries, which is transformative for African users facing high remittance costs and banking barriers. Traditional remittance corridors charge fees of up to 8 percent per transaction, with additional delays and foreign-exchange markups. Crypto-based P2P platforms like Kenya’s BitPesa, Ghana’s BTCGhana, and Uganda’s Remit.ug allow users to send money across borders almost instantly at a fraction of the cost, without relying on traditional banks or money transfer services. For the millions of Africans receiving diaspora remittances, P2P Bitcoin represents tangible savings and faster access to funds. Beyond remittances, P2P systems offer censorship resistance, and users can transact without KYC/AML checks that often exclude informal workers, rural communities, and those without government-issued ID.
What to Expect at ABC 2025
ABC 2025 offers a multi-day program spanning technical workshops, policy discussions, and practical use-case sessions designed for developers, entrepreneurs, activists, and policymakers.
Photo: Africa Bitcoin Conference
Policy & Regulators Track
ABC 2025 brings together African regulators and policymakers to discuss Bitcoin’s regulatory space across the continent. Mauritius itself operates under the Virtual Asset and Initial Token Offering Services Act (VAITOS) 2021, supervised by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), offering a FATF-aligned framework that provides regulatory clarity for crypto businesses. Panels will likely examine how different African nations approach Bitcoin regulation, licensing requirements for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and pathways for compliant Bitcoin businesses to operate across borders.
Use-Case Tracks:
Practical tracks will showcase real-world Bitcoin applications, including remittance solutions, merchant payment systems, and self-custody education. Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, all among the top ten global cryptocurrency adopters, demonstrate how Bitcoin addresses banking gaps, capital controls, and cross-border payment friction. Expect case studies from Bitcoin Ekasi (South Africa) and other community projects, plus hands-on training on hardware wallets, seed phrase security, and best practices for holding Bitcoin without third-party custodians.
Speakers & Spotlight Conversations to Watch
The ABC 2025 speaker lineup includes leading Bitcoin advocates, developers, entrepreneurs, and community organizers from across Africa and the global freedom-tech movement. Confirmed speakers include Hermann Buhr Vivier (founder of Bitcoin Ekasi, a South African Bitcoin circular economy project) and Nikolai Tjongarero (founder of Easy Sats), among others. These voices bring firsthand experience building Bitcoin infrastructure, running community education programs, and advocating for financial inclusion across the continent.
Practical Travel & Logistics (for US- and Africa-Based Readers)
Entry & Visa Notes for Mauritius
US citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 60 days in Mauritius; your passport will be stamped on arrival, allowing entry for tourism or business. African passport holders should check specific visa requirements via the Mauritius passport and visa portal at passport.govmu.org. All travelers must have a passport valid for the duration of their stay, proof of onward or return travel, and are strongly recommended to complete the All-In-One Travel form online before departure, which generates a QR code for health and immigration officials.
Recommended Hotels and Transit
The Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel serves as both a conference venue (December 5) and a convenient accommodation option near the Caudan Arts Centre. Port Louis is Mauritius’s capital and main port, accessible via Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (approximately 45 km southeast). Taxis, rideshare apps, and hotel shuttles connect the airport to Port Louis in roughly 45–60 minutes.
Health, Currency, Local SIM & Mobile Money Tips
Mauritius uses the Mauritian Rupee (MUR); US dollars and euros are widely accepted at hotels and tourist areas, with ATMs and currency exchange available at the airport and in Port Louis. Travel health insurance is strongly recommended. Local SIM cards with data plans are available at the airport and telecom shops for staying connected during the conference. While Mauritius has limited mobile money adoption compared to East African markets, standard banking and card payments are widely accepted.
On-the-Ground Security & Safety + Conference Etiquette for Bitcoiners
Bitcoin conferences attract both genuine community members and opportunistic bad actors, so practice operational security. Never share your private keys, seed phrases, or wallet balances publicly or in casual conversation. Use a dedicated hardware wallet (like Ledger or Coldcard) kept offline and separate from your phone for larger holdings. Avoid connecting to public WiFi for Bitcoin transactions; use a VPN or mobile data instead. Be cautious of QR codes from unknown sources; malicious codes can redirect payments. When attending talks or networking, treat others with respect, avoid aggressive “shilling” of projects, and focus on learning and genuine community building.
Key Themes & Takeaways Reporters and Attendees Should Watch For
- New P2P tooling and mobile integrations: Developer Day and main conference sessions will likely unveil Bitcoin tools optimized for African mobile networks and low-bandwidth environments
- Regulatory tone and clarity: Watch for announcements from African regulators about licensing frameworks, taxation, and cross-border cooperation
- Remittance pilots and partnerships: Expect case studies and product launches around Bitcoin remittance corridors serving African diaspora communities
- Self-custody products and education: Hardware wallet providers, multisig solutions, and custody training programs tailored for African users
- Bitcoin circular economy updates: Progress reports from projects like Bitcoin Ekasi on merchant adoption, local spending, and community engagement
- Developer community building: Initiatives to grow local Bitcoin developer talent, open-source contributions, and technical mentorship
- Financial inclusion metrics: Data on Bitcoin adoption rates, user demographics, and use cases across African countries
- Stablecoin and reserve discussions: Following Mauritius’s new stablecoin reserve rules, expect conversations about fiat-backed tokens and regulatory compliance
How to Follow Remotely (Live Streams, X/Twitter, Official Hashtag) + Timeline of Live Sessions
For those unable to attend in person, the Africa Bitcoin Conference typically provides online access to select sessions. Check afrobitcoin.org for live-stream links and recording availability closer to the event. Follow the official Twitter/X account @AfroBitcoinOrg and use hashtags #ABC2025 and #AfricaBitcoinConference to track real-time updates, speaker quotes, and community reactions. BTrust (@Btrust_official) will share Developer Day highlights and technical content. Session timelines and agendas will be published on the conference website and social media in the days leading up to December 3.
FAQ (Essential Questions)
When and where is the Africa Bitcoin Conference 2025?
The conference runs December 3–5, 2025, in Port Louis, Mauritius, at the Caudan Arts Centre (December 3–4) and Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel (December 5).
Can I watch the event online?
Check afrobitcoin.org for live-stream announcements and follow @AfroBitcoinOrg on X/Twitter for real-time updates and session highlights.
What are the main themes?
Financial sovereignty, peer-to-peer systems, Bitcoin adoption across Africa, remittances, regulatory frameworks, and developer tooling.
How do I stay safe with my keys at a conference?
Use a hardware wallet kept offline, never share seed phrases or private keys, avoid public WiFi for transactions, use a VPN, and be cautious of unsolicited QR codes or investment pitches.
Do US citizens need a visa for Mauritius?
No! US passport holders receive a 60-day entry stamp on arrival without a visa, but must have proof of onward/return travel.
What is the regulatory environment for Bitcoin in Mauritius?
Mauritius operates under the VAITOS Act 2021, supervised by the Financial Services Commission, with FATF-aligned licensing for virtual asset service providers and clear rules for stablecoins and custody.
How much do remittances cost through traditional channels vs. Bitcoin?
Traditional remittance services charge up to 8 percent per transaction plus FX markups; Bitcoin P2P platforms offer near-instant transfers at a fraction of the cost.
Recommended Next Steps (for Activists, Developers, Entrepreneurs)
Developers: Register for BTrust Developer Day (free) and explore open-source Bitcoin projects addressing African use cases, mobile integrations, low-bandwidth tools, and Lightning Network infrastructure. Apply to speak at future events via devday.btrust.tech/speakers.
Entrepreneurs and merchants: Study remittance case studies from BitPesa, BTCGhana, and Remit.ug to understand Bitcoin payment integration for cross-border commerce. Connect with Bitcoin Ekasi and other circular economy projects for merchant adoption playbooks.
Community organizers and activists: Join local Bitcoin meetups in your city, advocate for financial sovereignty education, and share resources on self-custody and P2P systems with your networks. Follow the official conference channels to stay updated on future ABC events and regional gatherings.
US-based African Americans and diaspora members: Explore Bitcoin remittance options to send money home faster and cheaper, and consider attending future ABC conferences to connect with builders solving real problems across the continent.
Secure your ticket at afrobitcoin.org and become part of Africa’s Bitcoin and freedom-tech movement.
Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.
