Event Details:

● Date and Time: : Friday, JuLY 10, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

● Location: American Corner Gitega,Gitega, Burundi

● Organized by: Bitdevs Gitega

● Registration link: clooza.com/events/BTCE

Summary:

The 13th Socratic Seminar of BitDevs Gitega represented an important moment in the growth of the local Bitcoin developer ecosystem by welcoming a significant number of new participants and expanding the community through a strategic collaboration with the Google Developer Student Club (GDSC) of Université Polytechnique de Gitega.

Hosted at American Corner Gitega, a learning space managed by Free Tech Institute, this seminar differed from previous editions by focusing on community integration and introducing newcomers to the philosophy and collaborative culture behind Bitcoin open-source development.

Given the large number of first-time attendees, the session emphasized how Bitcoin is built and maintained through decentralized open-source collaboration. Participants explored the principles of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), the contribution process, and the reasons why developers around the world voluntarily collaborate to improve Bitcoin infrastructure. Special attention was given to the opportunities available for African developers to contribute to globally impactful Bitcoin projects while solving local challenges.

A major highlight of the seminar was the presentation of two community-built projects currently being developed by members of BitDevs Gitega. Advaxe NDAYISENGA demonstrated MY SATOSHIS, showcasing its vision, functionality, and technical architecture, while Wilfrid introduced Rurbit, presenting its objectives and current stage of development. These live demonstrations illustrated that local developers are moving beyond learning Bitcoin technologies toward building practical open-source solutions adapted to the Burundian context.

The event also marked the official integration of members from the Google Developer Student Club of Université Polytechnique de Gitega into the BitDevs Gitega community. Their participation significantly strengthens the local developer ecosystem and establishes new opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and long-term open-source contributions within future BitDevs activities.

The seminar concluded with an open discussion on project development, community collaboration, and the next stages of the builder program, reinforcing the vision of BitDevs Gitega as a growing hub for Bitcoin and open-source innovation in Burundi.

Agenda:

● Welcome & Community Updates

● Introduction to Bitcoin Open-Source Development

● Understanding the Bitcoin FOSS Contribution Model

● Why Open Source Matters for Bitcoin

● Presentation of MY SATOSHIS by Advaxe NDAYISENGA

● Presentation of Rurbit by Wilfrid

● Integration of Google Developer Student Club Members

● Open Discussion, Networking & Next Steps

Speakers:

● Advaxe NDAYISENGA

● Wilfrid CUBAHIRO

● Guy Eudes BARAKANA

Attendees:

  1. Bayubahe Elias

  2. Digne Marie Grace Irakoze

  3. Reine Delicia INGABIRE

  4. RUKUNDO jovial

  5. Abdul-Aziz Usman

  6. Advaxe NDAYISENGA

  7. Rukundo Geulchome

  8. Niyonkuru Bertrine

  9. Niyonkuru Bertrine

  10. EMERIYO Wilson Azarie

  11. Arsella Gladwish Kaze

  12. Ragouël Ndenzako

  13. Donel BUKUTO

  14. Elvis Irambona

  15. BWITONZI Kevin

  16. IRAKOZE Belly

  17. EMERIYO Wilson Azarie

  18. Arsella Gladwish Kaze

  19. Ragouël Ndenzako

  20. Donel BUKUTO

  21. Elvis Irambona

  22. BWITONZI Kevin

  23. IRAKOZE Belly

  24. HABIMANA Moïse

  25. NIYUKURI Dominique

  26. Innocent Niyonkuru

  27. Regis Niyonizeye

  28. NIYONKURU Egide

  29. Iradukunda Elvis Emmanuel

  30. Akimana Answer

  31. Bu Tech

  32. Itanganeza Landry

  33. Irakoze Esron

  34. Barakana Guyeudes

  35. Elvis Arakaza

  36. Kezakimana Ange

  37. MANIRAKIZA Nadine

  38. Iragaba Ainé Donels

  39. IRADUKUNDA Paisible

  40. Niyukuri Dominique

Key Takeaways and challenges:

★ The BitDevs Gitega community continues to expand by attracting new developers interested in Bitcoin and open-source technologies.

★ Members of the Google Developer Student Club at Université Polytechnique de Gitega officially joined the BitDevs Gitega community, strengthening future collaboration.

★ Participants gained a clearer understanding of how Bitcoin is developed through decentralized open-source collaboration.

★ The seminar reinforced the importance of contributing to Bitcoin and FOSS projects as a practical pathway for technical growth.

★ Community members showcased locally developed Bitcoin solutions, demonstrating the growing technical maturity of the builder program.

★ MY SATOSHI and Rurbit highlighted the community’s transition from learning concepts to building real-world applications.

★ The collaborative discussions encouraged greater participation, mentorship, and knowledge sharing among both experienced developers and newcomers.

Next Steps:

❖ Continue mentoring newly integrated members through upcoming practical development sessions.

❖ Encourage participants to begin contributing to community open-source projects.

❖ Provide ongoing technical support for MY SATOSHI, Rurbit, and future Bitcoin development initiatives.

❖ Strengthen collaboration with the Google Developer Student Club through joint technical activities.

❖ Expand hands-on development sessions alongside future monthly Socratic Seminars.

❖ Continue building a sustainable Bitcoin open-source developer community in Burundi.