When crypto solves actual problems
I think what’s happening in Africa right now is quite remarkable. While much of the world still treats cryptocurrency as something theoretical or speculative, people across the continent are using it for everyday financial needs. It’s not about chasing the next big investment opportunity—it’s about sending money home to family, preserving savings when local currencies collapse, and accessing financial services that traditional systems can’t provide reliably.
When your national currency might lose 30% of its value in a month, stablecoins become essential infrastructure rather than just another crypto product. When sending money across borders costs 20% in fees, peer-to-peer transfers become a matter of survival rather than disruption. These aren’t hypothetical use cases being debated in conference rooms—they’re real problems that real people face daily.
The stablecoin reality
At VALR, we’ve seen stablecoins grow to represent about 40% of all crypto volumes. This growth didn’t come from aggressive marketing campaigns but from genuine need. People turn to dollar-denominated stablecoins because they offer stability in economies where monetary policy can change overnight. It’s not just convenient—it’s necessary.
Recent data shows Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a massive spike in crypto activity earlier this year, with monthly on-chain volume reaching $25 billion while other regions saw declines. The trigger? A sudden currency devaluation in Nigeria that pushed more users toward crypto as protection against instability. In Nigeria specifically, stablecoins now account for nearly half of all crypto transaction volume, with similar patterns emerging across South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana.
Building for real users
What’s interesting is that African users don’t want products specifically designed “for Africa”—they want world-class products that happen to work well in African contexts. The distinction matters. People here can tell the difference between something built with genuine care and something that’s just “good enough” for emerging markets.
Building crypto infrastructure in Africa presents unique challenges. Payment ecosystems change frequently, regulatory frameworks evolve rapidly, and economic conditions can shift without warning. But perhaps counterintuitively, these difficulties create advantages. When you learn to build robust systems that work across diverse, challenging environments, expanding to other markets becomes more manageable.
The partnership approach
Global crypto companies often approach African markets with good intentions but limited understanding. They see the user numbers and growth potential but struggle with execution. What works in Singapore or San Francisco might not work in Lagos or Nairobi.
Successful partnerships come from companies that understand they’re not just exporting their existing playbook but collaborating to build something new. It requires time, capital, and deep local knowledge—building payment systems from scratch and navigating regulatory environments that develop as quickly as they change.
What’s clear is that Africa isn’t waiting for permission or validation from the global crypto community. The infrastructure is being built, adoption is happening, and solutions are working because people expect reliable financial systems that function when they need them most. Here, crypto isn’t just an alternative investment—it’s becoming a strategic economic tool for millions.
