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Bitcoin Exchange Methods In Africa

Kenya Coin
14 min readJul 30, 2020

Africa is a continent with 54 independent countries. Each country has their own political and regulatory environment and thus exchange methods available will vary from country to country.

[Updated: 29 September 2022]

🇦🇴 Angola

  • Most BTC/AOA volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups.
  • eToro (doesn’t yet support funding with AOA, but funding with your bank debit card is possible but know that will involve fees for the currency conversion to USD first)
  • YetuBit and YetuSwap [Coming Soon]

🇧🇯 Benin

  • Significant BTC/XOF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Mobile Money, PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • Bitsika (buy BTC with XOF (West African CFA Franc) using mobile money or debit card)

🇧🇼 Botswana

  • Most BTC/BWP volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Orange Money, PayPal, remittance transfer (including Transfy and Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Azteco (⚡) (💵) ← Buy using a 1ForYou voucher nearly everywhere
  • YellowCard

🇧🇫 Burkina Faso

  • Significant BTC/XOF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Mobile Money, PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • Bitsika (buy BTC with XOF (West African CFA Franc) using mobile money or debit card)
  • Ejara

🇧🇮 Burundi

  • Significant BTC/BIF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include EcoCash Mobile Money, PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • Muda Deal Room (OTC / Large Trades) [Announcement]

🇨🇲 Cameroon

  • Significant BTC/XAF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, Express Union, PayPal, remittance transfer (including Transfy and Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Bitsika (buy BTC with XAF (Central African CFA Franc) using mobile money or debit card)
  • YellowCard (Orange and MTN mobile money supported)
  • Ejara
  • Azteco (⚡) (💵)

🇨🇫 Central African Republic

In April 2022, the country has adopted bitcoin as legal tender. Expectations are that some bitcoin exchanges will begin serving the country soon.

  • Significant BTC/XAF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.

🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

  • Most BTC/XOF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Orange Money, MTN, remittance transfer (including Transfy), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Bitsika (buy BTC with XOF (West African CFA Franc) mobile money or debit card)
  • YellowCard
  • Ejara
  • Muda Deal Room (OTC / Large Trades) [Announcement]

🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)

  • Most BTC/CDF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Airtel Money, Vodacom DRC M-Pesa, remittance transfer (including Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • YellowCard
  • Muda Deal Room (OTC / Large Trades) [Announcement]

🇪🇬 Egypt

  • Most BTC/EGP volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • eToro (doesn’t yet support funding with EGP, but funding with your bank debit card is possible but know that will involve fees for the currency conversion to USD first)

🇸🇿 Eswatini

  • Most BTC/SZL volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include PayPal, remittance transfer (including Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Azteco (⚡) (💵) ← Buy using a 1ForYou voucher nearly everywhere

🇪🇷 Eritrea

  • Most BTC/ERN volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • eToro (doesn’t yet support funding with ERN, but funding with your bank debit card is possible but know that will involve fees for the currency conversion to USD first) [Availability in Eritrea hasn’t been confirmed, but they are not on the list of countries from which eToro blocks access.]

🇪🇹 Ethiopia

  • Most BTC/ETB volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include telebirr (Ethio Telecom), PayPal, remittance transfer (including, soon, Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.

🇬🇦 Gabon

  • Most BTC/XAF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include remittance transfer and domestic bank transfer.
  • YellowCard

🇬🇭 Ghana

  • Significant BTC/GHS volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash, Afriex App, PayPal, remittance transfer (including Transfy, Kaoshi, and Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Bitsika (buy BTC with GHS mobile money or debit card)
  • Binance (buy BTC with GHS using debit card, mobile money, or Binance Cash Balance)
  • YellowCard (MTN MoMo, Vodafone and AirtelTigo mobile money supported)
  • BitNob (⚡)
  • BitMama [Guide]
  • BitPesa exchange / money transfer (buy BTC with GHS using MTN or Airtel Money)
  • Muda Deal Room (OTC / Large Trades) [Announcement]
  • Note: KubitX, maker or KBX Wallet app, and issuer of the stablecoins KBC Kubitcoin, NGNX naira Tether, GHCX cedis Tether, is defunct.

🇬🇳 Guinea

  • Significant BTC/GNF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • Ejara

🇰🇪 Kenya

🇱🇸 Lesotho

  • Most BTC/LSL volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Vodacom M-Pesa, PayPal, remittance transfer (including Transfy and Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Azteco (⚡) (💵) ← Buy using a 1ForYou voucher nearly everywhere

🇲🇼 Malawi

  • Most BTC/MWK volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Airtel Money, PayPal, remittance transfer (including Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Khodo App [Announcement]
  • YellowCard

🇲🇱 Mali

  • Most BTC/XOF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • Ejara

🇲🇦 Morocco

  • Most BTC/MAD volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • Binance (buy BTC with MAD using , or Simplex (Third Party Payment Network))

🇲🇿 Mozambique

  • Most BTC/MZN volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Vodacom M-Pesa, PayPal, remittance transfer (including Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.

🇳🇦 Namibia

  • Significant BTC/NAD volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include PayPal, remittance transfer (including Transfy), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Landifa — Bitcoin Trade Namibia (⚡)
  • Azteco (⚡) (💵) ← Buy using a 1ForYou voucher nearly everywhere. Can also be redeemed to a USSD-based Machankura8333 wallet

Also see: South Africa exchanges, such as AltcoinTrader. You can use your Namibian bank to send NAD funds to the exchange’s ZAR account at their South African bank, and vice-versa.

🇳🇬 Nigeria

🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville)

  • Most BTC/XAF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include MTN Mobile Money, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • YellowCard

🇷🇼 Rwanda

  • Most BTC/RWF volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include MTN Mobile Money, Airtel-Tigo Money, Eversend, remittance transfer (including Transfy and Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer. When using Eversend as an RWF payment method, mobile money can be used to withdraw.
  • YellowCard

🇸🇳 Senegal

  • Most BTC/XOF (West African CFA) volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include remittance transfer (including, soon, Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Bitsika (buy BTC with XOF (West African CFA Franc) using mobile money or debit card)
  • YellowCard
  • Ejara
  • eToro (doesn’t yet support funding with XOF (West African CFA), but funding with your bank debit card is possible but know that will involve fees for the currency conversion to USD first)

🇸🇨 Seychelles

  • Most BTC/SCR volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include remittance transfer and domestic bank transfer.
  • eToro (doesn’t yet support funding with SCR, but funding with your bank debit card is possible but know that will involve fees for the currency conversion to USD first)

🇿🇦 South Africa

Note — In June 2021, there have been some restrictions placed on the ability for someone using a South African bank to purchase bitcoin using a debit card or credit card from a cross-border exchange (i.e., doesn’t use banking in South Africa).

See also:

As well as

  • xZAR (ZAR stablecoin)
  • ZARP (ZAR stablecoin)

Also, check out ZimDAI:

🇹🇿 Tanzania

  • Most BTC/TZS volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Vodacom M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa (Tigo Tanzania), Airtel Money, Eversend, PayPal, remittance transfer (including Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer. When using Eversend as a TZS payment method, mobile money can be used to withdraw.
  • YellowCard (TigoPesa mobile money supported)
  • BitPesa exchange / money transfer (buy BTC with TZS using mobile money)
  • Belfrics
  • Muda Deal Room (OTC / Large Trades) [Announcement]

🇹🇬 Togo

  • Most BTC/XOF (West Africa CFA) volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include remittance transfer and domestic bank transfer.
  • Bitsika (buy BTC with XOF (West African CFA Franc) using mobile money or debit card)

🇺🇬 Uganda

Note: In April 2022 the Central Bank of Uganda reminded banks that they are not permitted to service bitcoin exchanges. The following list has not be

🇪🇭 Western Sahara

  • Most BTC/MAD volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include PayPal, remittance transfer, and domestic bank transfer.
  • eToro (doesn’t yet support funding with MAD or any other regional currency, but funding with your bank debit card is possible but know that will involve fees for the currency conversion to USD first) [Availability in Western Sahara hasn’t been confirmed, but they are not on the list of countries from which eToro blocks access.]

🇿🇲 Zambia

  • Most BTC/ZMW volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … Paxful (⚡), LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include Airtel Money, MTN Money (MoMo), remittance transfer (including Transfy and Mukuru), and domestic bank transfer.
  • Luno
  • YellowCard (Deposits using MoMo and Airtel supported. SPENN mobile money or eWallet supported for withdrawals)

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

  • Most BTC/ZWL trading volume happens person-to-person (P2P), … LocalCryptos, etc. and on private chat channels such as in Telegram or WhatsApp chat groups. Popular payment methods include remittance transfer (including Mukuru) and domestic bank transfer. In Zimbabwe, some payments methods are $USD, instead of the national fiat ($ZWL).
  • There is an altcoin called Zimbocash ($ZASH) that has some aggressive promotion within Zimbawe. There are some individuals who will do in-person trades between bitcoin and $ZASH, or those who will sell $ZASH for $ZWL (or for $USD), which then permits the buyer to then find a crypto-to-crypto exchange that supports Zimbocash / $ZASH (e.g., BitGlobal.com) to convert $ZASH into bitcoin. It is the opinion of this author that those speculating on, or holding as savings, Zimbocash / $ZASH are taking significant exchange rate risk, however.

Also, check out ZimDAI:

Also

There are also these other bitcoin-related entities:

  • Machankura8333 is a (USSD-based) bitcoin wallet that can be used from any phone (including feature phones) in a number of countries in Africa (currently these include Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia). From the wallet, bitcoin funds can be converted to mobile phone airtime. Also, in some of these countries supported, a voucher can be bought from Azte.co and the code redeemed to load bitcoin into a Machankura wallet.
  • ChipperCash (Like an African Cash App. Based in U.S., operates, currently, in seven countries in Africa, frequently used as a payment method for P2P trading of bitcoin. There is also Chipper Cash Invest [Introduction], which is not an exchange but offers “investment” in a position only. With Chipper Cash Invest, you cannot withdraw bitcoin, nor can you deposit bitcoin to sell)
  • EverSendApp (Also kind of like an African Cash App, operates in a different set of countries in Africa, occasionally used as a payment method for P2P trading of bitcoin. When using Eversend as a local currency payment method, mobile money can (in two countries — Kenya, and Uganda) be used to deposit and to withdraw.
  • Afriex App (Also kind of like an African Cash App, operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, as well as in the U.S., UK, and Canada, and is occasionally used as a payment method for P2P trading of bitcoin.)
  • Mobile money (with many operators, MTN, Airtel, Vodacom, M-Pesa, Tigo, etc, in many countries) frequently used for P2P trading of bitcoin
  • Selling bitcoin person-to-person using PayPal as the payment method is fraught with risk, due to payments being reversible (by the buyer who paid using PayPal once the bitcoin trade has concluded). PayPal does offer bitcoin investment but as-of May, 2021, only for customers in the U.S.
  • Binance Cash Transfer (A fiat wallet where funds can be sent to anyone using their e-mail address or mobile phone number — NGN, GHS, KES, and ZAR)
  • Zippie (Kenya & Zambia) mobile wallet with ERC-20 fiat-denominated token good for airtime)

Notice what’s missing? There are very few industry leading / “global” cryptocurrency exchanges (e.g., Kraken, BitSTAMP, Coinbase, etc) operating in many of the 54 countries — at least not where there is access to the domestic banking networks. For example, Ethiopia, with a population of 100+ million people has no easy method for the buying or selling of bitcoin.

Contact

For suggestions, corrections or additions, feel free to send a direct message to @KenyaCoin on Twitter, or to @KenyaCoin@BitcoinHackers.org using Mastodon.

Bitcoin
Africa
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa

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Kenya Coin

Written by Kenya Coin

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Curated Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency news as it relates to Kenya.

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