In the vibrant streets of Arusha, Tanzania, where the pulse of Swahili rhythms meets the hum of digital innovation, a melody of financial revolution is rising. Meet ManLikeKweks—bitcoin educator, lyrical visionary, and community architect—turning the complexities of blockchain into soulful anthems for East Africa.
Armed with a mantra of “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do?) and the “POWA” (Proof of Work Academy)—a clever nod to Tanzania’s slang for “fresh” and “cool”—Kweks is rewriting the script on money, merging bitcoin’s ethos with the heartbeat of Swahili culture.
Intro
- What sparked your journey into bitcoin, and how did growing up in Tanzania shape your mission to drive adoption?
I grew up in the UK and I returned to Tanzania when I was 27. Cross border payments was what attracted me to crypto and then I learned more about bitcoin and became bitcoin only. 
- Your bio includes WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) and POWA. How do these principles guide your work in bitcoin and community-building?
Jesus is my Lord and saviour and I live for him. That shapes my choices and he guides my steps. Proverbs 3 v5,6. POWA stands for Proof of Work Academy, and that is my way to connect bitcoin to Tanzania.
Poa is Kiswahili word for “fresh” “cool” and is a response to mambo, which means how you doing? Or how’s things? Proof of work is very fundamental to bitcoin and I want to educate this community about bitcoin.
- What does “Man Like Kweks” represent? How does it reflect your cultural roots and bitcoin philosophy?
I represent my community. I want to see this community uplifted and believe bitcoin is a great tool to facilitate that. Bitcoin is about being self sovereign and that appeals to me greatly.
- Is this a project, movement, or philosophy? Explain its role in advancing financial sovereignty in East Africa.
POWA focuses on education and now I have recently set up Bitcoin Arusha which is a circular economy inspired by Bitcoin Kampala and Bitcoin Ekasi. Really focusing on people using bitcoin practically in everyday life and increasing bitcoin adoption in Tanzania.
Building on Bitcoin
- What barriers (e.g., internet access, currency volatility, education) hinder bitcoin adoption in Tanzania?
Language, Tanzania mainly uses Kiswahili and I have found that that has been a barrier in sharing content. Being victims of scams is an issue so trusting something new takes time.
Bitcoin Arusha is focusing on being a trusted source of information. Machankura was blocked here and that solves a big issue of lowering the barrier to entry to hold and store bitcoin on a Nokia phone.
- How do you tailor bitcoin education to resonate with Tanzanian traditions, values, or languages?
I use music mainly, whatever I learn I put into song and make it engaging for my peers.
- What is Tanzania’s stance on bitcoin, and how do you advocate for friendly policies?
They advised citizens to be cautious with crypto and recently implemented that TZS is the only legal tender allowed to be used in Tanzania by tanzanians. So bitcoin here is to be seen as a store of value and not a median of exchange.
It has made things challenging in generating a circular economy but it’s very important. I believe that people at least need to know what bitcoin is and can make an informed decision on whether or not to engage with it.
- Share a moment when bitcoin transformed an individual’s or business’s financial resilience in your community.
Shout to Francis, he just started working at Bitcoin Arusha. He was previously working as a security guard working 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week. Our conversations about bitcoin and what we can do in this community inspired him to join. Very grateful for his faith in the work and he is contributing greatly to the success of Bitcoin Arusha.
- Could this model be replicated in neighboring countries? What’s needed?
I was very inspired by Bitcoin Kampala, and now there is Bitcoin Arusha, so yes, just need an inspired individual and people will be happy to help and support them.
Interlude
- Other than music, what are your other hobbies?
SPORTS! Love playing and watching live sports.
What’s Next?
- What milestones are you targeting for Tanzania in the next 2–5 years?
Hosting bitcoin events. Sending Tanzanians to bitcoin events outside of the country to speak and perform. Have a bitcoin hub that supports creative arts and hope that bitcoin will be accepted here as we see the benefits. Bitcoin mining in Tanzania, I believe we have the capacity to facilitate that.
- What would you tell someone starting a bitcoin education initiative in Africa?
There is a lot more support nowadays. Yes if that’s what you are passionate about, there are people around to support your journey, so keep going.
- How can the global bitcoin community support your work?
You can check out our page and donate to the work. Check out my linktree, has links to all the socials and ways you can donate to Bitcoin Arusha.
