Yesterday, the governor of the Financial institution of Ghana, the nation’s central financial institution, stated that crypto laws will probably be in place by the top of 2025. This follows draft pointers the financial institution printed final yr.
By introducing a robust authorized footing for crypto buyers and firms, Ghana will be a part of 9 different nations on the continent which have legal guidelines in place for digital belongings.
On the whole, crypto adoption is rising in Africa, notably in Sub-Saharan Africa. Grassroots adoption and retail exercise make it the third-fastest-growing area for crypto.
Lawmakers are taking discover. Right here’s a take a look at 10 nations which have developed, or are creating, particular authorized frameworks:
Ghana
Johnson Asiama, governor of the Financial institution of Ghana, stated on the Worldwide Financial Fund’s assembly on Thursday that his nation will have the ability to ship sturdy crypto laws by the yr’s finish.
“That invoice is on its technique to parliament. Hopefully earlier than the top of December, we should always have the ability to regulate cryptocurrencies in Ghana,” he stated.
The laws are a very long time coming. The financial institution first printed draft laws in August 2024. In these pointers, the financial institution proposed an eight-pillar framework, which included rising registration and reporting necessities for exchanges and digital asset service suppliers (VASPs).
The brand new legal guidelines intention to deal with rising curiosity in crypto amongst Ghanaian buyers. Some 3 million Ghanaians, or practically 9% of the nation’s inhabitants, use crypto.
South Africa
In 2022, the Monetary Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa formally declared crypto to be a monetary product. This introduced crypto beneath the Monetary Advisory and Middleman Providers Act. This implies digital belongings are regulated with correct licensing regimes, client protections and person verifications in place.
Since then, the FSCA has issued dozens of licenses, and worldwide crypto companies have arrange operations there. As of Oct. 10, a partnership between QR funds supplier Scan to Pay and Bitcoin (BTC) funds firm MoneyBadger permits South Africans to pay with crypto at 650,000 shops within the nation. On Wednesday, Ripple introduced a partnership with South African financial institution Absa to supply crypto custody for the financial institution’s prospects.
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Lawmakers in South Africa are nonetheless tweaking laws. In August, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana introduced a draft framework for cross-border crypto transactions. He stated there are nonetheless “sensible challenges and implications if cryptocurrency is considered as cash.”
Mauritius
In February 2022, the island nation of Mauritius handed the Digital Asset and Preliminary Token Providing Providers Act. In accordance with the Mauritius Worldwide Finance Centre, the act “units out a complete legislative framework to manage the enterprise actions of digital belongings service suppliers and preliminary token choices.”
Token issuers, wallets, exchanges and custodians are regulated by the Monetary Providers Fee. The act additionally established requirements for preliminary token suppliers, aligning with the requirements set by the Monetary Motion Job Drive (FATF).
Botswana
Botswana’s Digital Property Act No. 3 of 2022 established a regulatory framework for crypto overseen by the Non-Financial institution Monetary Establishments Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA). Below the act, VASPs like exchanges and token issuers must register with the NBFIRA. It additionally establishes due diligence and client safety requirements.
The central financial institution has acknowledged that it sees “minimal” threat from cryptocurrencies. However in December 2024, it stated that further laws are nonetheless wanted.
Nigeria
In April 2025, Nigeria formally acknowledged crypto belongings for the primary time with the passage of the Funding and Securities Act (ISA). The ISA outlined crypto as securities and put VASPs, alternate operators and different crypto companies beneath the scope of the Securities and Alternate Fee (SEC).
Final month, the Nigerian SEC refined its definitions for tokens into 4 classes for regulatory oversight. The company stated its purpose was “to not hinder expertise or stifle innovation” however to create requirements by which it might “encourage moral practices that in the end make for a good and environment friendly market.”
Unsure laws in Nigeria, specifically the lawsuit in opposition to crypto alternate Binance and the arrest of Binance government Tigran Gambaryan, left many within the trade cautious about doing enterprise there. Regulators have stated that they’re “open for enterprise.”
Namibia
In 2023, Namibia enacted the Digital Property Act (VAA). Just like many different frameworks, it created pointers for VASPs, together with licensing regimes and supervision. The Nationwide Meeting stated its high goals have been to guard shoppers, stop market abuse and decrease the dangers of cash laundering and illicit finance.
The Namibia Monetary Establishments Supervisory Authority, which serves as the first regulator, has a two-step licensing mannequin (first provisional, then full license). Functions are additionally evaluated by the central financial institution.
Tanzania
The Tanzanian authorities handed the Finance Act of 2024, which launched 3% tax on funds made for digital asset exchanges or transfers to residents. The act broadly defines cryptocurrencies, tokens and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as “digital belongings” and requires that platforms be registered as holding brokers with the tax authority.
Little progress has been made since, nevertheless it displays a shift from the federal government’s earlier hard-line strategy, which had banned crypto. In 2023, the Financial institution of Tanzania introduced it will begin investigating a central financial institution digital forex however would take a “phased, cautious and risk-based strategy.”
Seychelles
In August 2024, the Seychelles Nationwide Meeting handed the Digital Asset Service Suppliers Act (VASPA). It got here into impact on Sept. 1 of that yr.
The act requires VASPs to get a license from the Monetary Providers Authority. Together with the standard Anti-Cash Laundering and Know Your Buyer necessities, it additionally requires NFT and preliminary coin providing promoters to register with the authorities.
The nation’s standing as a comparatively lax monetary hub has made it a magnet for funding and registrations. A June report from Tech in Africa states that the nation attracted 31% of all blockchain funding over the past yr.
Kenya
On Oct. 13, the Kenyan parliament handed the Digital Asset Service Suppliers Invoice regulating digital belongings and cryptocurrencies. Treasury Cupboard Secretary John Mbadi introduced the draft laws in January, saying the federal government was “dedicated to creating the required authorized and regulatory framework” for cryptocurrencies.
The act will set up the central financial institution because the licensing authority for stablecoin and token issuers, whereas the Capital Markets Authority will oversee and license exchanges and different buying and selling platforms.
Kuria Kimani, chairman of the finance committee within the nationwide meeting, stated, “We hope that Kenya might be now the gateway into Africa … Many of the younger folks between 18 and 35 years of age are actually utilizing digital belongings for buying and selling, settling funds and as a method of funding or doing enterprise.”
Rwanda
In March 2025, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Nationwide Financial institution of Rwanda collectively launched a draft regulation regulating crypto and VASPs. The regulation would create licenses for VASPs but additionally represents a extra cautious strategy than another nations. The regulation would ban crypto mining, crypto ATMs and mixing companies.
Native regulators have been involved concerning the potential misuse of crypto, citing steering from the FATF. Carine Twiringiyimana, supervisor of licensing and approvals at CMA, instructed native media, “A key concern … is that digital belongings can be utilized as a channel for cash laundering. That’s why these laws are being launched to mitigate such dangers whereas additionally offering clear steering to the general public and digital asset service suppliers.”
