The Africa Bitcoin Conference was abuzz with excitement this year, especially when attendees discovered the new Kenya-based payments app, Tando. Tando allows users to spend their sats with merchants who do not accept bitcoin, providing a seamless way to integrate digital currency into everyday transactions.
But how does Tando work, you may wonder? It’s simple. Users download the app and can pay any merchant who accepts payments via M-PESA, Kenya’s popular mobile money service. The best part? No lengthy setup process or KYC is required, as Tando does not collect any identifying information from its users.
When a merchant presents the bill, users can click on the “Send Money” button on the app’s home screen. They then enter the mobile number linked to the recipient’s M-PESA account, input the amount in Kenyan shillings, and Tando automatically calculates the equivalent sats needed to cover the transaction. Users can then generate a Lightning invoice, pay it through their preferred Lightning wallet, and Tando settles the bill with the merchant in shillings almost instantly.
During the conference, I witnessed numerous Bitcoiners using Tando to pay for meals and transportation, showcasing the app’s convenience and efficiency. While some may argue that Tando interfaces with a fiat payment system, it’s essential to consider a few key points:
1. Bitcoin is actually used for payments in Kenya and across Africa.
2. Tando provides an opportunity to introduce merchants to Bitcoin while demonstrating how the app works.
3. Some Kenyan citizens cannot KYC for M-PESA, excluding them from the system. Tando allows them to participate in the broader monetary ecosystem.
The enthusiasm around Tando at the conference mirrored the excitement for other apps making Bitcoin more accessible across Africa, such as Bitsacco, Machankura, Fedi, and Bitnob. African Bitcoiners are leading the way in using digital currency as peer-to-peer electronic cash, surpassing their counterparts in the United States.
Tando serves as a crucial intermediary step, enabling Bitcoiners to spend their sats even at merchants who do not yet accept bitcoin payments. As the African Bitcoin community continues to onboard more merchants to Bitcoin, Tando remains a valuable tool for integrating digital currency into everyday transactions.
In conclusion, African Bitcoiners are pioneering the use of bitcoin as intended, and apps like Tando are driving adoption and innovation in the digital currency space. The future of Bitcoin in Africa is bright, and Tando is just one example of how the continent is embracing the financial revolution.
This article is a “Take.” Opinions expressed are solely the author’s and may not reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.