In Nairobi, people are paying for taxis and coffee with Bitcoin, and merchants receive Kenyan shillings instantly. This is made possible by Tando, a payments app that converts Bitcoin transactions from the Lightning Network directly into the local mobile money system, M-Pesa.
The app eliminates the need for merchants to hold cryptocurrency. Tando converts the Bitcoin payment into Kenyan shillings, which are deposited into the merchant's M-Pesa account. The system avoids volatility risk and additional transaction fees for the user.
A major milestone was reached in May 2026 when Tando enabled approximately 40 million Kenyans to receive Bitcoin payments. The app converts their existing M-Pesa phone numbers into Lightning addresses, requiring no new downloads or technical knowledge from the recipient.
Kenya is an ideal environment for this model due to the established dominance of M-Pesa. The platform has functioned as a de facto banking system since 2007. Real-world use was demonstrated at major Bitcoin conferences in Africa, where attendees used Tando for transportation and dining.
The founders advocate a "spend, not sell" philosophy, positioning Bitcoin as a medium of exchange rather than just a speculative asset. While the integration with a trusted system like M-Pesa shows promise, the zero-fee business model and evolving Kenyan crypto regulations present potential challenges.