In the heart of Kenya, Lorraine Marcel is spearheading a financial revolution with BTC DADA, an initiative dedicated to empowering African women through bitcoin education.
“Dada,” meaning sister in Swahili, embodies the spirit of this pioneering program, fostering a supportive community where women can confidently navigate the world of bitcoin.
Lorraine’s journey into bitcoin began unexpectedly, but it ignited a passion to bridge the gender gap in the bitcoin space and provide women with the tools for financial independence. 
Through comprehensive training, mentorship, and a focus on real-world applications, BTC DADA is transforming lives and shaping a more inclusive digital economy.
First Steps in Bitcoin
- What initially drew you to bitcoin, and how did that passion evolve into founding BTC DADA?
The first time I heard about bitcoin was at a Web3 product launch that my events company had been contracted to organize. The idea of decentralized finance immediately caught my attention.
With a background in finance, I was already aware of the flaws in our monetary system; but I didn’t have a solution, until I learnt about bitcoin. It wasn’t just another concept; it was the missing piece I had been looking for.
Overcoming Challenges in the Space
- Reflecting on BTC DADA’s early days: What assumptions did you have about bitcoin that were challenged once you started building?
At first, I assumed that bitcoin adoption was mostly a technical challenge that if we provided education and resources, people would naturally jump in. I quickly realized that the biggest hurdles were social and economic.
Many women in Africa see finance as a daily survival tool, not a long-term wealth strategy. So, explaining bitcoin required framing it as a solution to real problems they face, not just as a technological breakthrough. - What were the most unexpected hurdles in developing BTC DADA (technical, regulatory, or cultural)?
Culturally, gender bias was one of the biggest challenges. Bitcoin spaces are still very male-dominated, and getting women to feel like they belong in the conversation takes intentional effort.
There’s also the regulatory uncertainty in many African countries bitcoin isn’t outright banned, but governments remain skeptical. On a technical level, we had to figure out how to make bitcoin education accessible, even for people with limited internet or no coding background. - Can you share a moment where BTC DADA’s mission felt at risk? How did you pivot or persevere?
Earlier this year, a scammer sent out mass spam messages using our name. I’m not easily fazed, but that moment really got to me. Thankfully, our legal team acted swiftly and resolved the situation in no time, allowing us to continue our work without disruption.
Building on Bitcoin
- What principles guide BTC DADA?
Inclusion first – If women and underserved communities don’t feel welcomed, adoption won’t happen.
Education must be practical – Theory is great, but if it doesn’t translate into action, it’s meaningless.
Bitcoin is for freedom – We focus on bitcoin because it’s the most decentralized, censorship-resistant tool for financial empowerment. - What’s one technical or philosophical decision in BTC DADA’s development that you’re most proud of?
Focusing on open-source contribution rather than just theory. With Dada Devs, we’re not just teaching bitcoin; we’re helping women get involved in real bitcoin development.
Seeing our fellows contribute to projects and gain confidence as developers is one of my proudest moments. - How do you onboard new users to bitcoin through BTC DADA?
We start with real-life applications: earning bitcoin, saving in bitcoin, and transacting with it. People grasp it better when they use it rather than just learning the theory.
That’s why we encourage circular economy projects, where women can earn and spend bitcoin in their communities.
Influence and Community Influence
- Who in the bitcoin space has most influenced your vision?
I would have to say the dada’s. Seeing their determination, curiosity, and resilience reminds me every day why Bitcoin Dada exists. Their stories, challenges, and breakthroughs shape our mission and push us to keep building a space where more women can thrive in bitcoin. - How has community feedback shaped BTC DADA’s roadmap?
Community feedback is at the heart of everything we do at Bitcoin Dada. I don’t set goals based on what I think would work. I shape them around the actual needs of the community.
Every initiative, from education to development programs, is built in response to real challenges and aspirations shared by the Dadas. Their input drives our roadmap, ensuring we remain relevant, impactful, and truly community-led.
Personal Projects and Recommendations
- Are there underrated bitcoin/Lightning projects or builders you collaborate with or admire?
I believe African bitcoin innovations don’t get the credit they deserve. Projects like Machankura, which enables bitcoin transfers without internet access, are truly groundbreaking. Other solutions close to my heart include Bitnob, Tando, and Mava Pay, which are making bitcoin more accessible across the continent.
We’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Machankura and Bitnob in the past, working together to onboard more people onto the bitcoin standard. These projects are solving real-world problems in ways that are often overlooked, and I deeply admire their impact. - What advice would you give to developers entering the bitcoin space today?
Start small but start now. You don’t need to build the next big protocol overnight, just contribute to an open-source project, play around with bitcoin dev tools, and keep learning. And most importantly, find a community that supports you, because bitcoin development can feel overwhelming at first.
- What’s a “lesson learned” from BTC DADA that other founders should hear?
Meet people where they are. If we had started Bitcoin Dada by just talking about hash functions and UTXOs, we would have lost 90% of our audience. Instead, we start with financial empowerment, then go deeper into the technical side as people become more engaged.
What’s Next?
- Where do you see BTC DADA in 3–5 years? What milestones are critical to hitting that vision?
I see Dada Devs growing into a leading bitcoin talent pipeline in Africa, with women developers working on Bitcoin mainnet, Lightning, and privacy tools. I also see Bitcoin Dada building thriving bitcoin circular economies, where women-led businesses accept and use bitcoin daily.
- How can the bitcoin community support BTC DADA’s mission?
Mentorship & Training – We need more experienced bitcoin developers to mentor and guide Dada Devs.
Funding & Grants – To expand our programs, we need support for educational resources, hackathons, and development.
Collaboration – Whether it’s Lightning projects, bitcoin mining, or open-source contributions, we’re always open to partnerships that align with our mission.
