Why is Africa Slow on the Bitcoin Uptake?

[Sadnu]

Maybe one of the reasons why the upstakes in africa bitcoins are slow because of their country's poverty. Therefore, they are lacking in order to adopt it. One of the reasons I'm also concerned about is the lack of information that people need to know about in the crypto

[Scorpion]

We're talking about a continent that lacks the infrastructure for modern technology, internet, and reliable networks we gotta give it time for Africa to come around. I always said though once Africa wakes up it will be like a sleeping giant waking up, they have the potential to propel fast and far beyond our imagination once they tap into their natural resource, renewable energy and build a center for a massive backbone for Bitcoin and the blockchain.

[leisha]

Africa is a continent where tranditions, culture, and old living practices so I think that is why Africa is slow in bitcoin update. They are not that close to the latest technology. They are being native and not dependable to the technology so they are not that updated to this kind of technology.

[audaciousbeing]

There are masses of potential for Bitcoin in Africa. It’s a monetary system for the unbanked, it’s trustless and far less corruptible, and it can create a new monetary system where there’s no long legacy of banking and financials.

However, across the continent, in different countries, the uptake has been surprisingly slow. From South Africa and Nigeria, as the biggest players in Bitcoin, to smaller nations like Tanzania who are seeing big growth, but with small numbers.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/why-is-africa-slow-on-the-bitcoin-uptake

Africa is not slow intellectually but the facility to make that available is what is discouraging. Bitcoin will thrive in an environment where some basic things are put in place is reliant on the availability of the internet, technological infrastructure, stable electricity and above all technological education and a drastic change in the archaic believe. If you put all this together, you will realize that a lot of African population are still wallowing in all this while the part of government to make facilities available is nothing to write home about.

However, that does not mean progress is not being made but the development will be a gradual one and dont expect them to be pushed beyond what their capacity can carry.

[Tszunami98]

First of all Africa is slow on food, medical treatment and more important things. I remember i saw a graph once with the average IQ in Africa and there were a lot of countries with the average being 70... mentally retarded by european standards. So there are so many factors involved that is obvious why they are where they are....and the gap keeps gettin wider!

[romero121]

First of all Africa is slow on food, medical treatment and more important things. I remember i saw a graph once with the average IQ in Africa and there were a lot of countries with the average being 70... mentally retarded by european standards. So there are so many factors involved that is obvious why they are where they are....and the gap keeps gettin wider!

That's the truth, but now due to aid provided from different parts of the world, it has been experiencing good growth in all sectors. Few months back from an article I found the African people getting much into bitcoin usage just because of the ease of transaction. As they have low money value, they suffer a lot to handle cash system, Now this has provided them a way.

[farhaan]

Even though Africa is a big continent having many countries,we could not forget that most of its countries are backward in economy.Most people are poor and illiterate.More over,internet facility is not widely available there.Bitcoin could not accessed without internet.

Since most people are illiterate,they would not be even familiar with digital transactions.So,definitely,they would be facing problems in using bitcoins.

But since,africa is a big continent,there is a huge scope for bitcoin related business.But,it would take a very long time to come in to reality.

[Merovius]

Besides, our political systems need corruption and banks.

Wow, our political systems actually NEED corruption?! I don't think I have ever heard of that one before -- that is kind of like saying that our bodies somehow need cancer...

[RodeoX]

I think a lot of you have not been to Africa. It is not what you seem to think. About 25% of Africans have Internet access and in places like S.A., Kenya, and Nigeria, access is about the same as China. Africa is not a "country" it is about 53 countries and they are each different.

[CryptosapienZA]

Even though Africa is a big continent having many countries,we could not forget that most of its countries are backward in economy.Most people are poor and illiterate.More over,internet facility is not widely available there.Bitcoin could not accessed without internet.

Since most people are illiterate,they would not be even familiar with digital transactions.So,definitely,they would be facing problems in using bitcoins.

But since,africa is a big continent,there is a huge scope for bitcoin related business.But,it would take a very long time to come in to reality.

What a loaf of BS. You obviously not only are you ignorant about Africa but you are ignorant about Bitcoin as well. Kenya had been one of the leaders in the world of digital "money" transfers. Google MPESA, there's not even a single country in the whole world that has had 80% of the adult population use digital transfers. Kenya did, that country of illiterates as you have said. Secondly all you need to do a bitcoin transfer is a cellphone and the internet... And most locations in Africa have that.

For adoption to occur in any country or continent people need to find it useful. When I read the forums and listen at how people laugh at those who want to buy coffee with their bitcoin. I am saddened because it means we are a long way to mass adoption. We cannot deny that most of us here in this space are here because those before us showed us the usefulness of bitcoin. It is those 10k pizzas the potential of Bitcoin. MPESA became successful because people in Kenya saw it useful, they could buy groceries and make all sorts of purchases with it.

PS: Africa is not a country.

[Sir Cross]

You must know that Africa is a very difficult country, and most people doesnt even have a computer or a smartphone to access to the internet, so it is pretty impossible for them to have bitcoins in their lifes, and you are expecting to have an advanced technology in there?
It is impossible, africa is quite outdated, only those countries that are rich in there can afford a good living, and access to the internet.

That's right, because of it's limited in resources(money/technology) could take bitcoin into slow movement. This are the most essential needs of bitcoin to run but sadly most African people can't provide this. And of course government can't push them to go through bitcoin because they have nothing. Even if they have money but probably their priorities are to feed and generate income daily.

I don't know much about Africa but from what I heard and know, it is a poor country. They are struggling with poverty because they lack resources such as food and water. I'm guessing their lack on the bitcoin uptake is because of this. Before going into bitcoin adoption, I imagine that their government should first focus on alleviating the poverty and coming up with solutions. They should do something about their resources since they lack in food and water.

[sch_lau]

Well Africa is a continent made up of unfortunately very poor countries. I think most small villages in Africa do not even have electricity or running water. For some tribes something like Bitcoin is just not imaginable in their culture. I agree that it would be a great solution for the whole continent but despite many families being too poor to afford the equipment (smartphones, computer, internet, electricity) it is culturally not possible for many either.

[joseafonso123az]

I don't think this problem is only Africa's problem. As a continent, yea, Africa might be behind in the BTC race, but as countries, there are countries like Nigeria, South Africa who might be more involved than many other non African countries.
One of the reasons might be lack of equipment,  electricity( If you dont have it, even if you own BTC you wont make any transaction unless you move).

[Hannibalis]

This because it's a third world continent. There is a lack of infrastructure and education.

[Marileno]

Internet usage penetration would be a contributing factor. Aside from not having the hardware to transact, i would say that a large portion of the population in Africa does not even know about the concept, and if they do, without access to material about it, has no idea what it does or how. This will all of course change over time.

[pearlmen]

There are masses of potential for Bitcoin in Africa. It’s a monetary system for the unbanked, it’s trustless and far less corruptible, and it can create a new monetary system where there’s no long legacy of banking and financials.

However, across the continent, in different countries, the uptake has been surprisingly slow. From South Africa and Nigeria, as the biggest players in Bitcoin, to smaller nations like Tanzania who are seeing big growth, but with small numbers.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/why-is-africa-slow-on-the-bitcoin-uptake

The rate of development of countries in Africa cannot be compared with other countries and trying to make them at par, will only result in making uninformed decision. While a lot of countries in advanced world got their independence for centuries counting, large number of African countries are o my counting decades which shows the path to development is not the same. The same issues Africa countries are grappling with are those that have been settled several years ago by the advanced world. So, they are not slow, but only moving at what their pace can carry.

[gabbie2010]

The slow pace of development in Africa is hindering it's technological advancement which invariably causes loss of opportunities in term of income.
There is presently so many bitcoin online paying Jobs opportunities that has eluded Africans due to some challenges facing them like unavailability of electricity and Internet.
To overcome this challenges the government should put in place all the necessary infrastructures so as to meet with other advanced continents.

[peter0425]

Its pretty obvious that this continent is really slow because its very populous, and only a few countries has really a good access to internet, others is lucky if they have smart phones on their wallet. However, just like any country there will be a time that Africa can catch up with regards to bitcoin adoption. Its that the continent today has so many problems that internet may be not the priority of their government. Just look at google trends:

https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?q=bitcoin

I'm seeing 3 out of the 5 countries are from Africa searching for bitcoin. So it will just be a matter of time because everyone in that continue will see and used bitcoin. Probably in 2018 Africa will be the next continent to make significant jump on bitcoin usage.

[Bellator]

Maybe one of the reasons why the upstakes in africa bitcoins are slow because of their country's poverty. Therefore, they are lacking in order to adopt it. One of the reasons I'm also concerned about is the lack of information that people need to know about in the crypto

My opinion is not intended to look down some people in africa but i think i will agree the above quotes that most of their society is not aware in internet activities as bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that needs computer or any gadget that capable of surfing on internet and maybe due to some of their society is having low knowledge in computer technology.

[cryptopher1]

first of all Africa is a whole continet with over 54 countries. to always talk say Africa is a dark continet in any argument is just lazy and a narraive that has been propelled for a long period of time. There are differen developments in differen countries. ofcourse, we have infrasrucural challenges  such as electrcity and internet, but if you look closely you wil see the coninent is moving albit slowly. Africa has the youngest population who are hungry to take on the world. If you continue to ignore the potential you will be surpised. already there are a lot of developments in specific African countries. they are not just beimh broadcased in the mainstream media like the case of say Europe, USA or Asia.
have you heard about Bitpesa in Kenya?
BitFinance in Zimbambwe https://qz.com/1021155/bitcoin-is-being-taken-up-in-zimbabwe-nigeria-south-africa-and-venezuela-among-developing-countries/
how about PIPCOIN? https://steemit.com/crypto-news/@watchman/pipcoin-africa-s-first-crypto-currency-1-9-million-users-in-5-months.

The African revolution is unfolding but if countine rely on mainstraem media to tell you positive stories from Africa, you will have to wait a bit longer.