Telegram has raised crypto usage by 189% in Africa. The messaging app for smartphones has ushered in a new era of communication by enabling cryptocurrencies and digital transactions to take place on Telegram. According to reports published by the cryptocurrency exchange, Bitget, Telegram has played an important role in reshaping the economy of Africa. Many citizens in Africa are adopting to cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi) by downloading Telegram on their digital devices.
The shift in digital transformation for Africans is a positive sign for crypto investors. Digital tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum are moving the focus of cryptocurrencies from traditional Western banking to online transactions for smoother business operations. The survey released by Bitget studied the impact of Telegram across countries in Africa between January 2023 – August 2024. These findings have confirmed that the crypto-based messaging app, Telegram, has increased its user base in Africa by more than 3 million accounts.
56% of Telegram users in Africa are under 25
The younger generation of Telegram users has contributed to the growth of crypto-based activity in Africa. As per the Bitget report, the majority of Telegram account holders in Africa belong to a group of people under the age of 25. Economic instability has led young Africans to process their digital transactions on Telegram. The availability of banking services in vast regions of Africa has reduced over the years, letting the younger generation of online users get involved in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency to earn their living.
Asian countries have dominated the crypto industry. A large number of crypto companies have expanded their presence in Asia and across the globe by implementing cryptocurrencies and digital transactions into their daily routines. Bitget has stated that close to 90% of cryptocurrency users in Asia are aged between 18-39, capturing the financial markets in Asian countries by a whopping 216% increase in 2024.
African communities are eager to use Telegram for their business needs. Predictions have emerged that by 2025, over 54 million users in Africa might be using cryptocurrency to buy and sell goods and services. Countries like Nigeria and Ghana are taking charge of digitalization in Africa to ensure a secure future for African nations.
Mobile apps are at the forefront of digitalization. Telegram has over 900 million active monthly users worldwide, becoming a prominent app for people in their youth. The United Kingdom has over 6 million monthly users on Telegram while emerging markets such as India have generated 84 million downloads per month.
Telegram can be used on multiple digital devices
Africans enjoy the ease of use that Telegram provides to its customers. People can use Telegram on different digital devices including an Android smartphone, Apple iPhone, iPad, macOS, Linux, and PC. Each chat session on Telegram is synced and allows its users to access chat history on various devices. These messages are coded for encryption and deliver messages faster than other digital communication platforms.
Groups in Telegram can have up to 200,000 members. Africans can invite their friends and family to their network and connect with several crypto-based businesses on Telegram. Customization options in chat can make interactions fun and more engaging for the younger generation of crypto users in Africa. Messages sent and received on Telegram are safe from cyberattacks, turning the mobile app into a reliable platform for people.
All people need is their mobile phone number to access chats on Telegram. Africans can log into their Telegram accounts on multiple devices simultaneously. The API for Telegram is open to developers and enables people to build their own applications that can be integrated with other digital platforms. There are several features on Telegram like check marks and last seen time that can unlock new possibilities for African crypto traders and investors.
Mini apps get an update for Telegram
In November 2024, Telegram released a large update for mini apps that has a fun pack of features. Africans can open mini apps on Telegram in full-screen mode to view applications using the entire screen. Crypto games on Telegram can be played in portrait and landscape orientation with intuitive interfaces and gestures for entertainment. These mini apps can seamlessly function on Telegram to run applications on mobile devices.
VR experiences on Telegram are getting stronger due to device motion tracking. Crypto companies in Africa can develop mini apps for their Telegram users by receiving a ton of information about motion, providing unique controls to applications and games. Simple gestures like locking the screen on mobile devices can prevent Telegram users from screen rotations during their gaming experiences. Placing a shortcut for mini apps on the home screen of a digital device can reduce the time it takes to access applications directly on Telegram.
Developers in Africa can plan for events with mini apps that are dedicated to cryptocurrency holders. Building interactive maps for each digital event can be rewarding for young Africans developing blockchain technology to launch location-based crypto games in the future. Crypto users can send gifts on Telegram to recognize Africans for their online activities. Stars can be spent on Telegram to unlock a variety of achievements like trophies to celebrate winners.
Premium users on Telegram in Africa can change their statuses from mini apps to update their profiles. Mini apps allow its users to create and share media on Telegram. Sending referral codes and memes can take less time on Telegram compared to other leading messaging services.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka