Stablecoins in Africa: A Choice of Autonomy After Being Left Behind by Banks!

In Africa, 60% of the population is under 25, yet a vast number are excluded from the banking system—proof of identity, a fixed address, and a credit history have become insurmountable barriers. In response, they are building their own financial systems in the gaps.
Joy, a Chinese entrepreneur in Africa, uses USDT to pay travel agencies. The funds arrive in seconds, saving the hassle of currency exchange. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 43% of on-chain transactions come from stablecoins, and Nigeria's annual crypto transaction volume has reached $59 billion, mostly consisting of small, everyday remittances. Joy's company uses the stablecoin payment gateway BlockATM for payments and collections, transforming their capital flow from being "stuck" to manageable.
In Africa, stablecoins are a "blunt but reliable tool." Western Union's fees can be as high as 15%, and bank wire transfers are complex. In contrast, stablecoin transfers are fast and low-cost, significantly reducing remittance costs. Many young Africans are proactively asking to be paid in USDT, and a crypto wallet has become their first real account. In the first half of 2025, stablecoin transaction volume in Africa exceeded $30 billion, and Nigeria's crypto adoption index ranks second globally. Stablecoins are penetrating from cross-border trade into the edges of daily life. For those living in Africa, have you felt this change?

#Africa #Stablecoin #FinancialInclusion #Crypto #Remittance