Africa’s Bitcoin directory tracked 189 projects across 23 countries in Q3 2026

Introduction

The Live African Bitcoin Directory, maintained by the African Bitcoiners community, has compiled a list of 180 verified Bitcoin-related projects across 23 countries. This figure represents a record quarter followed by a spring cleaning, which removed 11 inactive or non-standard entries.

Growth and Expansion

The directory's count rose from 167 to 189 projects in Q3 2026, a 13.2% jump. This growth was driven by community projects, which saw a 31% surge in Q3 2026 compared to the previous quarter.

Country Breakdown

Five countries stand out as major contributors to the landscape: Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Uganda. These countries have a significant number of active projects, with some notable examples including Proof of Work Academy in Tanzania and SimplB, South Africa's first regulated Bitcoin-only self-custody firm.

Directory Features

The Live African Bitcoin Directory curates entries to include only Bitcoin-related technologies and services, leaving out other crypto assets and protocols entirely. This strict filter is the directory's defining feature, ensuring that only active builders are included in the count.

Conclusion

The 180 figure represents a more accurate count of active builders, and the category split is worth watching. A 31% surge in community projects alongside 3.7% business growth suggests the education and grassroots layer is expanding faster than the commercial layer built on top of it.

Image Prompt

A modern, futuristic illustration of a map with 23 countries highlighted, each with a Bitcoin-related icon or symbol, set against a dark, luxurious background with a subtle, shimmering effect to convey the growth and energy of the Bitcoin ecosystem in Africa.