At a Glance
- Over 54 million Africans now use cryptocurrencies for payments, remittances, and savings.
- Nations like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa lead in crypto adoption and regulation.
- Digital assets bridge financial gaps where traditional banking remains slow or inaccessible.
Across Africa, digital assets are changing how people move, save, and trade money. From Lagos to Nairobi and Addis Ababa, millions are turning to cryptocurrency and blockchain-based tools not for speculation but for survival and efficiency.
In 2025, African countries are leading a quiet revolution, using crypto wallets, stablecoins, and digital currencies to solve real financial challenges, from inflation to limited bank access.
As governments in Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt test central bank digital currencies and rewrite crypto laws, Africa is emerging as a global leader in digital asset adoption.
Across Africa, crypto isn’t about chasing quick profits or making headlines. It’s about solving real problems, finding ways to move money when the old systems fall short.
From stablecoins to government-backed pilots, digital assets are quietly redrawing how Africa does business, one transaction at a time.
This is no longer a future story. It’s already happening. Chainalysis estimates that more than 54 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa now use some form of cryptocurrency.
Economic pressure, weak banking infrastructure, and a young, connected population are driving the trend.
Shore Africa profiles 10 countries shaping the continent’s digital asset revolution.
1. Nigeria: Still the continent’s crypto powerhouse
Nigeria sits at the center of Africa’s crypto scene. It ranks second globally for adoption and recorded about $59 billion in on-chain transactions between July 2023 and June 2024. For many Nigerians, crypto is a necessity, not a novelty. People use digital coins to protect earnings, support small businesses, and send funds abroad. After years of resistance, the Central Bank of Nigeria has eased restrictions and introduced a clearer system for licensing crypto firms. With one of the world’s youngest populations, the country’s dominance is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
2. Ethiopia: A market on the move
Ethiopia’s crypto scene is growing fast. Stablecoin transactions have jumped roughly 180 percent in a year, with more than 1.8 million people now using digital assets. Government projects involving digital IDs and blockchain-powered energy systems are helping tie policy and technology together, creating a solid base for expansion.
3. Morocco: Balancing regulation and growth
Morocco ranks third in Africa for crypto use. Its central bank is working with the IMF to shape new regulations that encourage innovation while preventing abuse. Young professionals, freelancers, and small business owners are using crypto for payments, especially when dealing with clients overseas.
4. Kenya: Where mobile money meets crypto
Kenya’s long history with mobile money made it a natural fit for cryptocurrency. Around 13 percent of Kenyans use it, mostly for remittances and payments. Nairobi startups are blending blockchain with mobile platforms, making it easier for people to save, lend, and transact, even in places where traditional banks barely reach.
5. South Africa: Confidence from the top
South Africa’s financial sector is among the most advanced in Africa. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority has licensed hundreds of crypto firms, giving investors a rare sense of security. Local fund managers are exploring Bitcoin ETFs and tokenized investment products, suggesting institutional confidence is starting to build.
6. Uganda: Expanding access
In Uganda, blockchain is reshaping how small traders and youth-run businesses handle money. Many use crypto platforms for remittances and microloans. Support from government programs aimed at financial inclusion is turning Kampala into a small but growing fintech hub.
7. Algeria: From ban to possible rebirth
Algeria banned crypto trading in 2018, but that hasn’t stopped people from using it through informal channels. Authorities are now rethinking their position and considering a regulated framework. A policy shift could open new doors for investment and tech-driven entrepreneurship.
8. Egypt: Inflation pushes crypto forward
In Egypt, roughly one in ten adults owns or uses crypto. With inflation eroding savings, stablecoins and digital wallets offer a safer alternative. The central bank is studying a digital pound that could bridge traditional banking with the emerging digital economy.
9. Ghana: Building the basics
Ghana is taking careful steps toward a structured crypto environment. Regulators are drafting rules to protect consumers without stifling innovation. Startups are using blockchain for remittance and savings products, helping expand financial access to underserved communities.
10. Democratic Republic of Congo: Young people lead the way
In the DRC, young entrepreneurs are embracing crypto for trade, savings, and remittances — often in regions where banks are scarce. For many, digital money isn’t a gamble; it’s how they manage their daily transactions in a challenging economy.
