Qala

About

Qala is a program designed to train the next generation of African Bitcoin and Lightning developers.
The program is full-time and includes stipends for participants.

Our goal is to create a pathway for African software developers to transition into building for Bitcoin and Lightning. Our core programme is a fully funded 13 week experience where you get to immerse in building bitcoin & lightning applications while being positioned for and matched with jobs around the world.

To join the programme, you must:

Have 1-5 years of experience as a software developer in a production environment
Have proof of your ability as evidenced by an active GitHub/GitLab account
Demonstrate the ability to engage with the technical content of the programme
Commit full-time to the programme, including resigning from existing employment (where necessary)
Demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow

Benefits

What you get from Qala?

Philosophy Immersion: Deep immersion into Bitcoin development philosophy so you understand why Bitcoin is built the way it is
Deep Learning: Introduction to Bitcoin & lightning development methodology - theoretically & practically
Proof of work: Concrete Bitcoin & Lightning projects that you build
World-Class Faculty: Support from our world-class Bitcoin & lightning developer faculty
Monthly stipend: 3 months of paid support during the programme so you can focus
Profile Building: Build your persona and profile in the extended Bitcoin developer ecosystem
Employer Matching: Introduction to employers and support to get the best deal and to thrive in the roles
Mentorship: Experienced mentors that support your journey through weekly one-on-one meetings
Community: A support community of talented developer peers going through the same experience with you

If this sounds like the kind of experience you would like to be a part of, apply now.

Apply Now

Participants

Bamidele Oluwatobi

Collin Rukundo

Enigbe Ochekliye

Theophilus Isah

Olutobi Adeyemi

Peter Tyonum

Raphael Osaze Eyerin

Vladimir Fomene

Munirat Olayiwola

Oladimeji Omotosho

Jennifer Ezeobi

Omoniyi Ilesanmi

Organizers

Bernard Parah

Bernard is the CEO of Bitnob and is a self-proclaimed freedom maximalist.

Carla Kirk-Cohen

Carla is a board member of ₿trust and Brink and previously built infrastructure at Lightning Labs.

Tim Akinbo

Tim is a long-time Bitcoiner and open-source enthusist.

Abubakar Nur Khalil

Abubakar is the CEO of Recursive Capital, a board member of ₿trust, and a Bitcoin Core contributor.

Caralie Chrisco

Caralie is the Principal at Superluner and the Content Lead at Hello, Bitcoin.

Adam Jonas

Jonas spearheads educational initiatives at Chaincode.

Supporters

Qala is proudly supported by:

Bitnob

Human Rights Foundation

Paxful

Built w/ Bitcoin Foundation

Chaincode Labs

Superlunar

Coinbase

Selection Process

The Qala selection process is an intense learning experience to start you off building a career in Bitcoin development, even if you are not quite ready to join the programme's next cohort.

Stage 1: Application Form Objective - So we know more about you and your suitability for the programme
Stage 2: Code Challenge Objective - So we know you have the basic technical foundation to thrive on the programme
Stage 3: Study Group (6 weeks Intro to Bitcoin Development sessions) Objective - So we know you can grasp the concepts & how you interact in a group
Stage 4: Seminar Objective - So we see how you handle more complex information & how you work in a group
Stage 5: Interviews Objective - So we learn more about you one-on-one to confirm your fit for the programme
Stage 6: Selection & Prep Objective - So you can clear your schedule to focus on Qala full time

Resources

Discussion Questions for Mastering Bitcoin

Mastering Bitcoin is a book for developers, although the first two chapters cover bitcoin at a level that is also approachable to non-programmers. Anyone with a basic understanding of technology can read the first two chapters to get a great understanding of bitcoin.

Discussion Questions for Mastering the Lightning Network

Mastering the Lightning Network is a book for developers, although the first five chapters are designed to explain to everyone with a basic understanding of technology how the Lightning Network works. The book also contains an appendix with a crash course on the relevant Bitcoin fundamentals.

Self Paced Seminar

Our seminar materials are available for anyone to use with readings and discussion questions on various Bitcoin and Lightning topics.

Applications are now open!