Please before you contribute to this thread, do understand Bitcoin and blockchain are two different things don't mistake the benefits of one to the other. Bitcoin needs a blockchain to function but the blockchain don't need bitcoin (no disrespect). Try to stay on topic so i can get some key points to strengthen my debate if there'll be a need for one in the near future as the awareness of the technology is increasing rapidly (yearly) in the country. Considering bitcoin is just another currency, what can it offer that my local currency can't to improve the economy of the nation? Already done some research and understood the benefits of blockchain to a country's economy but I'm yet to understand that of bitcoin. Enlighten me please.
Most Africans have been sceptical about Bitcoin, blockchain and cryptocurrencies for sometime now and this has been perpetuated by the possibilities that virtual currencies can be manipulated towards crime, tax evasion and money laundering. However, as more information is beginning to filter through African communities as well as the availability of testimonial enlightenment being administered by those who dared to try cryptocurrencies to their peers, more people are increasingly embracing cryptocurrencies.
In Nigeria, I know for a fact that the institutional abuse of the volatile Naira assisted the rise of bitcoin as Nigerians are trying to preserve the value of their wealth and earnings.
According to the research carried out in August 2018 by Localbitcoin, Nigeria came first in Africa in terms of bitcoin trade and $258 million dollars worth of BTC was transacted in 2018 alone by Nigeria. This means that BTC is already working in Nigeria and it is filling a certain role that the Naira is failing to do.
Considering bitcoin is just another currency, what can it offer that my local currency can't to improve the economy of the nation?
1. Remittances
Bitcoin can also be useful for remittances in African countries like Nigeria that are constantly facing currency and forex challenges. According to the World Bank, remittances to sub-Saharan Africa grew from $37.8 billion in 2017 to around $39.2 billion in 2018 and $39.6 billion in 2019. Again, Nigeria topped African recipients with $22.3 billion in 2017. You can clearly tell that this is one area that BTC is disrupting and will continue to do so.
2. Sub- Sahara Africa has a large number of unbanked people.
The World Bank estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa has around 350 million unbanked adults, and cryptocurrencies like BTC can fill this gap to move in to fill in the gap as they can move money across communities and borders with ease. In Nigeria, you will find that in some areas Muslim communities shy away from banking institutions where existing financial products on offer might not compatible with the principles of Islamic finance. These gaps can be Plugged by BTC.
3. Most economies in Africa are highly informal and that includes Nigeria.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that more than 85.8% of all employment in Sub-Saharan Africa is in the informal sector. It is therefore easy to see that this is one of the factors that have influenced the adoption and embracing BTC as young startups that are tech-savvy move to align themselves with the world's pace.
4. Stability
Nigeria has had a long history of military coups and corruption and this has largely affected the Naira. If one was to do a study in Africa you would see that Nigeria is not the only victim of doggy politics affecting the economy as the financial stability of economies in Africa is an oasis enjoyed by a few countries. Currencies have been known to lose value in a whiff and people’s savings wiped in the wink of an eye. Bitcoin offers a stable option as it is international and is not tied to any company, government or geographical location.
5. High literacy rates
Nigeria is one of the most learned countries in Africa, in fact, there is a running joke for years in Africa that says if you throw a stone in random in Lagos there is a 50% chance that you will hit a graduate. So it's easy for Nigerians to adopt BTC and they can use that literacy to earn for themselves trading and innovating new services and products around BTC.
However, there are several hurdles and roadblocks that BTC faces in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Such roadblocks include; power issues (Nigeria suffers from incessant power cuts), Internet Connectivity issues, Internal conflicts (Boko Haram etc.), Low-income levels etc