● Date and Time: Friday, April 17, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
● Location: Gitega Study Space, Gitega, Burundi
● Organized by: Bitdevs Gitega
● Registration link: clooza.com/events/DEVE
The 10th Socratic Seminar of BitDevs Gitega was dedicated to the official presentation and deep exploration of the upcoming 8-month accelerated incubation program supported by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF). This program aims to support and guide Burundian developers in building the first Bitcoin-related Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) solutions made in Burundi.
The session marked a strategic shift from purely technical exploration to structured ecosystem building. Participants were introduced to the full architecture of the incubation program, including its objectives, timeline, selection criteria, and expected outputs. The goal is to empower a cohort of local developers to move from learning to building, contributing to Bitcoin through practical, open-source solutions adapted to the Burundian context.
During the seminar, participants explored: · The vision and rationale behind the HRF-supported incubation program
· The structure of the 8-month program (monthly BitDevs, mentorship, hackathon, and continuous building phases)
· The role of FOSS in strengthening Bitcoin adoption and developer sovereignty
· Expectations for participating developers, including active contribution and project delivery
· The types of solutions targeted (wallet tools, local infrastructure, payment tools, developer utilities, etc.)
· Incentive mechanisms, including Proof of Work rewards in sats
The discussion generated strong enthusiasm among participants, with many expressing interest in joining the program and contributing to locally relevant Bitcoin solutions. The session also helped clarify the long-term vision of positioning Gitega as a hub for Bitcoin development in Burundi.
The seminar maintained its Socratic format, encouraging open discussion, critical thinking, and collaborative ideation around how to successfully execute the program and ensure meaningful outputs.
• Welcome & Recap of March Session
• Introduction to HRF-supported Incubation Program
• Program Structure & Timeline (8 Months)
• Expectations & Developer Commitments
• Types of FOSS Solutions to be Built
• Open Discussion: Opportunities & Challenges
• Q&A and Community Feedback
● Wrap-Up & Next Steps
NCUTI Leandre
Niyondiko Joffre
Nsabiyumva Nice Stella
Ndayisenga Dahl
Ndikumana Idris
Hagerimana Jean de Dieu
Egide MANIRAKIZA
Bu Tech
Digne Marie Grace Irakoze
Elvis Irambona
Ezako Juste Ariel
BWITONZI Kevin
Masango Alain Blaise
Mugisha Klein De Guy
Munyeshaka Onesphose
Mandela Kasumba Fanuel
Belyï Nobel KUBWAYO
Reine Delicia INGABIRE
RUKUNDO jovial
Abdul-Aziz Usman
Advaxe NDAYISENGA
Rukundo Geulchome
★ The community is transitioning from learning and experimentation to structured product development.
★ The HRF-supported program introduces a clear pathway for building Bitcoin FOSS solutions in Burundi.
★ Developers now have a long-term framework (8 months) to collaborate, build, and deliver real projects.
★ Strong interest was expressed by participants to join and actively contribute to the program.
★ The importance of local solutions tailored to Burundi’s realities was emphasized.
★ BitDevs Gitega is evolving into a builder-focused community with tangible outputs.
❖ Launch the application and selection process for the incubation program
❖ Identify and onboard the cohort of 50 developers
❖ Organize the first mentorship sessions and define project tracks
❖ Prepare the mid-program hackathon (3-day intensive build session)
❖ Establish regular contribution tracking and Proof of Work reward distribution
❖ Begin development of the first Bitcoin FOSS solutions made in Burundi