Nigeria is one of the leading countries in Bitcoin adoption globally, with consistently high peer-to-peer (P2P) trading volumes. The main drivers are currency devaluation, limited access to foreign exchange, and restrictions placed on traditional banking channels. For many Nigerians, Bitcoin is not just an investment but a practical tool for cross-border payments, remittances, and wealth preservation.

In Kenya, the situation is similar but shaped by the strong presence of mobile money systems such as M-Pesa. Bitcoin adoption there integrates naturally with existing digital finance habits, making it easier for people to use cryptocurrency for remittances and small business transactions. This makes Kenya another African hub for grassroots Bitcoin usage.

El Salvador took a different approach by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. While this policy move gave Bitcoin global visibility, everyday adoption by Salvadorans has been gradual. Many still rely on the U.S. dollar for stability, but Bitcoin’s presence has boosted innovation, tourism, and international recognition.

The key difference is that while El Salvador’s adoption is government-driven, Nigeria and Kenya’s adoption is community-driven. This bottom-up approach has allowed Bitcoin to grow more organically in Africa, directly addressing economic realities such as inflation, remittance costs, and banking restrictions