TLDR
- Ripple says African crypto growth is rising as more countries adopt digital asset rules.
- South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Mauritius are advancing crypto oversight frameworks.
- Ripple says RLUSD demand is growing through aid, payments, and institutional access deals.
- Sub-Saharan Africa received over $205 billion in onchain value from 2024 to 2025.
Ripple says Africa’s crypto market is gaining ground as regulation spreads across key economies. The company links this progress to stronger rules, rising demand for stablecoins, and wider use of digital asset services. It says the shift is helping set the base for the next stage of crypto growth across the continent.
Africa has seen strong digital asset adoption for years. Now, several regulators are moving to set formal rules for service providers, custody, and consumer protection. Ripple says this trend could support broader use of crypto in payments, trade, and treasury services.
Regulation gathers pace in major African markets
Ripple says about eight African countries now have some form of crypto-specific regulation. Other markets are also working on formal frameworks. These efforts focus on licensing, anti-money laundering checks, and consumer protection.
South Africa remains one of the region’s early leaders. Since June 2023, it has treated crypto assets as financial products. Crypto Asset Service Providers must hold licenses and meet oversight standards.
The country also approved the FATF Travel Rule. That move brought its framework closer to global standards. At the same time, local fintech groups are studying rules for stablecoins and tokenization.
Kenya has also moved forward. In March 2025, the National Treasury introduced a draft Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill. It was signed into law in October 2025 and placed oversight with the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority.
Mauritius and Nigeria have also advanced their rules. Mauritius already has the VAITOS Act of 2021 and licenses several types of digital asset firms. Nigeria’s Investments and Securities Act 2025 recognized digital assets as securities and gave oversight to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ripple expands stablecoin and custody activity
Ripple says regulatory progress is matching business demand. Its stablecoin, RLUSD, has gained traction in African markets through aid and payment use cases. The company says businesses want tools built for trust, compliance, and utility.
Ripple cited work with Mercy Corps Ventures in Kenya to improve aid delivery speed and transparency. It also pointed to partnerships with Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card. These deals aim to expand institutional access to RLUSD across parts of Africa.
The company also says interest is growing in Ripple Custody. It cited a strategic partnership with Absa Bank as recent evidence. Ripple says financial institutions want integrated security and compliance services.
In its 2026 global survey, Ripple said “57% of respondents” preferred a partner offering custody, orchestration, and compliance together. That finding points to demand for bundled services. It also fits with Africa’s growing institutional interest in digital assets.
Payments demand and mobile money support adoption
Ripple says Africa’s economic needs continue to support crypto use. Cross-border payments remain slow and costly in many markets. Access to stable foreign currencies also remains limited for many users and firms.
These conditions have pushed demand for faster settlement tools. Stablecoins are now used for trade settlement, treasury management, and cross-border transfers. Ripple says digital assets can offer a more efficient option than older payment rails.
Africa also has a strong record in digital finance. The region accounts for 70% of the world’s $1 trillion mobile money market. In Sub-Saharan Africa, adult mobile money ownership rose to 40% in 2024 from 27% in 2021.
Crypto adoption has followed a similar path. Nigeria ranked sixth and Ethiopia ranked twelfth in the 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index. Ripple also noted that Sub-Saharan Africa received more than $205 billion in onchain value between July 2024 and June 2025, a 52% year-over-year rise.
As more countries write formal rules, Ripple says Africa’s digital asset market is entering a new phase. The company points to regulation, payments demand, and mobile-first finance as key drivers. Together, those trends are helping expand crypto use across the continent.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
