Bitcoin ATMs in Africa – The Most Complete List

by | May 26, 2020 | Bitcoin Business | 0 comments

Bitcoin ATMs

Today, I will be looking at one of the ways to seamlessly acquire Bitcoin in this present day and age.

I am talking about Bitcoin ATMs.

Bitcoin ATMs are like stores where you can buy Bitcoins with physical cash.

But hold up… Isn’t Bitcoin supposed to be a virtual currency? So that alone makes it practically impossible to get from ATMs?

Yeah… you’re right on both counts. But it works a little differently here.

In the post of today, you will learn all about Bitcoin ATM – what it is, how it works, and also the 15 locations where you can find them in Africa.

Hmmmh….exactly what you’ve been looking for, right? Let’s get started already!

Post Summary

To avoid giving out a whole lot of information all at once, I did some chunking.

I broke down the main topic into these subheadings:

They are as follows:

To access the details of each subheading, you only have to click on it.

Without much adieu, let’s start up this learning process.

What is a Bitcoin ATM?

Bitcoin ATM is like a kiosk that allows you to buy Bitcoin with cash.

It functions a little differently from the conventional ATM where you input your card and you get physical cash out.

With the Bitcoin ATM, you input cash and receive Bitcoins (not in your bare hands though) in your Bitcoin wallet.

A Bitcoin ATM was first seen on October 29, 2013, where a Robocoin machine opened in the Waves coffee shop in downtown Vancouver, Canada.

This machine is understood to be the world’s first publicly available Bitcoin ATM but ceased operations in January 2016.

Since then, thousands of Bitcoin ATMs have been installed in various countries and locations.

According to the report by Bitcoin.com, there are over 7000 Bitcoin ATMs worldwide as of May 8th, 2020.

USA (5,749) has the highest number of Bitcoin ATMs in the world followed by Canada (771).

The African continent has 15 of them installed in various locations among the countries.

The number of Bitcoin ATM locations has continued to increase rapidly following the massive adoption of cryptos.

Some of these machines allow you to convert your BTC into fiat currencies while others allow you to buy (and some times, sell) Bitcoin.

There are also a few others too that allows you to do both.

But how does the ATM even work considering the fact that Bitcoin is a digital currency?

I discussed that in this next part. Scroll down to read.

How Does Bitcoin ATM Work?

The modus operandi is simple: you insert fiat currency into the machine and you receive Bitcoins in your wallet.

Some of these machines are solely for Bitcoin while with others, you can buy other coins like Ethereum, Dash, and Litecoin.

The steps involved are as follows:

  1. Locate a Bitcoin ATM close to you. You can do that by using coinatmradar and if you are in Africa, you will find the list in the next section.
  2. Click on ‘Buy Coins’ on the screen of the machine.
  3. Select the range of the amount you want to buy. For example, $20 – $100, $101 – $150, etc
  4. Depending on the type of machine, you might need to get verified at this stage. You do this by providing your phone number, name, and email address. A code for verification will be sent to your email. Enter the code and verify your pin. Some may even require you to scan your ID or take a selfie with it.
  5. Select the coin you want to buy.
  6. Provide the wallet address where the coin will be sent to. You can scan the QR code or type in the address manually.
  7. Insert your funds into the machine(it automatically displays the amount inserted) and click ‘Finish’.
  8. Finito! The coins are then sent to your wallet. Collect your receipt or have it sent to your mail(for machines that have that option).

This less than 3mins video below explains that in details.

Now you know how the Bitcoin ATM works, it’s time to go locate the machines.

Find the list below.

Bitcoin ATM Locations in Africa

There are a total of 15 Bitcoin ATMs in 8 countries in Africa.

They are located in the following countries:

  1. Nigeria (1)
  2. Kenya (1)
  3. Djibouti (1)
  4. South Africa (7)
  5. Ghana (2)
  6. Botswana (1)
  7. Zimbabwe (1)
  8. Uganda (1)

Find details about them below.

1. Nigeria

Bitcoin ATM Nigeria

Location: Dazey Lounge and Bar, Lagos State

Address: 80 Oke – Ira, Ajah, Lagos 105101

Supported Currencies: BTC, NGN

Operator’s Name: Blockstale

Operator’s Contact: +2349044201930, support@blockstale.com

Fees: 5%

Limits and Verification:

  • $0 – $100 (SMS verification)
  • $101 – $2000 (ID verification)

2. Kenya

Bitcoin ATMs Kenya

Location: Kenrail Towers, Nairobi

Address: Ring Road, Parklands, Nairobi

Supported Currencies: BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, KES

Operator’s Name: Bitcoin ATM Kenya

Operator’s Contact: atm@kushcryptominer.com

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification – The Buy Limit is

  • 4000000 KES per transaction
  • 80000000 KES per day

3. Djibouti

Location: Djibouti One and Strong(DOS), Djibouti

Address: Appart Hotel, Moulk, Djibouti

Supported Currencies: BTC, DJF

Operator’s Name: Eleyeh issa

Operator’s Contact: +25377259291, groupdos2016@gmail.com

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification: N/A

4. South Africa

Bitcoin ATMs South Africa

Location 1: Cape Town, South Africa

Address: Victoria Junction, 8 Cape Town, 8001

Supported Currencies: BTC, ETH, DASH, ZAR

Operator’s Name: AnkerPay

Operator’s Contact: +27661984607, info@ankerpay.com

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification: N/A

Location 2: Cape Town

Address: 1st Floor, 38 Wale Street, Cape Town

Supported Currencies: BTC, ZAR

Operator’s Name: Cape Town Bitcoin

Operator’s Contact: +27735301188, info@bitcoinatm.co.za

Fees: Determined by operator

Limits and Verification: N/A

Location 3: Eikestad Mall, Stellenbosch

Address: 43 Andringa Street, Stellenbosch, 7600

Supported Currencies: BTC, DASH, ZAR

Operator’s Name: Ankerpay

Operator’s Contact: +27661984607, info@ankerpay.com

Fees: 6%

Limits and Verification: N/A

Location 4: Sandton City, Johannesburg

Address: Unit U61a Sandton City, 83 Rwonia Road, Sandton, 2196

Supported Currencies: BTC, ZAR

Operator’s Name: Bitcoin ATM South Africa

Operator’s Contact: +27832979727, info@btcatm.co.za

Fees: Depends on the actual price at the machine and on the market price

Limits and Verification:

  • 7500 ZAR per transaction
  • 1000000 ZAR per day

Location 5: Nelspruit

Address: 39 Sitrus Crescent, Madison Square, Nelspruit

Supported Currencies: BTC, ETH, LTC, ZEC, DASH, ZAR

Operator’s Name: Bitmart

Operator’s Contact: 0870953731, info@bitmart.co.za

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification: N/A

Location 6: Pretoria

Address: Corner West and Brits, Pretoria 

Supported Currencies: BTC, ETH, ZAR

Operator’s Name: Saverite Florauna

Operator’s Contact: 0125464131, dylan.sonemann@gmail.com

Fees: Depends on the actual price at the machine and on the market price

Limits and Verification:

  • 10000 ZAR per transaction
  • 100000 ZAR per day

Location 7: Pretoria

Address: Cnr Graffenhelm Street and Rachel de Beer Road, Ninapark, Pretoria

Supported Currencies: BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC, XMR, ZAR

Operator’s Name: Sasol Ninapark

Operator’s Contact:  0120019984, jef@sasolninapark.co.za

Fees: 6.5%

Limits and Verification: Transactions over R25000 need verification with valid ID card or document and proof of address.

5. Ghana

Bitcoin ATMs Ghana

Location 1: Accra, Ghana

Address: 4th Avenue. Accra

Supported Currencies:  BTC, GHS

Operator’s Name: Thunder Solutions

Operator’s Contact: thundersolution@yahoo.com

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification: N/A

Location 2:  Accra, Ghana

  Address: 4th Avenue. Accra

Supported Currencies:  BTC, GHS

Operator’s Name: Thunder Solutions

Operator’s Contact: thundersolution@yahoo.com

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification:

  • 5000 GHS per transaction
  • 8000 GHS per transaction

6. Botswana

Bitcoin ATMs Botswana

Location: Airport Junction Mall, Gaborone

Address: P.O Box 1600AAD Poso House, Gaborone

Supported Currencies: BTC, BWP

Operator’s Name: ExpressMinds Pty Ltd

Operator’s Contact: +26773906083, info@expressminds.com

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification: N/A

7. Zimbabwe

Bitcoin ATMs

Location: Batanai Gardens, Harare

Address: 77 Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare

Supported Currencies: BTC, LTC, ZWD

Operator’s Name: Golix

Operator’s Contact: N/A

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification: N/A

8. Uganda

Bitcoin ATMs

Location: Ugandan Post Office, Kampala

Address: Plot 546 Ggaba Road, Kampala

Supported Currencies: BTC, BCH, ETH, UGX

Operator’s Name: KIPYA Bit2Big Limited

Operator’s Contact: 00256414660779, contact@bit2big.com

Fees: N/A

Limits and Verification: ID verification

There you have the total list of the Bitcoin ATMs in the whole of Africa (as at the time this post was written).

I answered some frequently asked questions about Bitcoin ATMs below.

Scroll down to check it out.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) About Bitcoin ATMs

What do I need to use a Bitcoin ATM?

You will need the following:
– Cash
– Wallet
– ID and mobile phone (Depending on what is required for verification)

Why is the bill acceptor not accepting my cash?

There can be a number of reasons for that:
1. It may not be a fitting note for the machine. For example, a machine that accepts ZAR only cannot accept an NGN note.
2. The first note you inserted is not equal or larger than the minimum amount shown on the display of the ATM. For example, you can not insert a 50NGN note first when the minimum amount is 100NGN.
3. The bill maybe a counterfeit.

How long does it take before I receive my coins?

Depending on the type of wallet you are using (some require 3 – 6 confirmations), you will get your coins within 30 – 60mins.

But why will I want to use a Bitcoin ATM since exchanges do the same thing?

Here, I will say it is a matter of preference.
While most cryptocurrency exchanges may require you to sign up with them before using their services, a Bitcoin ATM does not (though you will need some verification to use some of them).
The ATMs are easier to use(just follow the set instructions) with no rigors of authentication codes and email confirmations.
But in terms of charges, exchanges have an upper hand.
As I said earlier, it all depends on you(the user) and why you need the coin.

Who produces these Bitcoin ATMs?

There are different companies that manufacture these machines. Examples include General Bytes, Genesis Coin, Lamassu, etc.
Find a complete list of the Bitcoin ATM manufacturers here.

Conclusion

Bitcoin ATM is a suitable way to buy and sometimes, sell Bitcoins easily.

There are more than 7000 of it available and plans are in place to add more.

Though most of these Bitcoin ATMs function in the same way, I advise you check out the fees on the machine before going ahead to use it.

With that, I come to the end of my Bitcoin ATMs in Africa post.

Guess you now know where to go if you are anywhere in Africa and will want to access a Bitcoin ATM?

By the way, have you used one before? What was your experience?

Considering the number of Bitcoin ATMs already installed and plans in the pipeline for more, do you think these machines have come to stay?

Let me know what you think and your questions (if any) in the comment section below.

And as is tradition, we share knowledge here(no hodling).

The share buttons are right below.

P.S
1. If you have used any of these machines in Africa, please send us a picture.
2. If there are more locations not mentioned in this post, please let us know so we can always keep this post up to date.
Send the pictures by email: info@nigeriabitcoincommunity.com

You can check out these quality contents from the blog:

Share Tweet

0 Comments

Have something to say? Drop it here!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

ABOUT ME

Chiamaka Atueyi
Crypto Content writer at Nigeria Bitcoin Community. Whether as a member of my high school Press club or part of the Scriptwriters in my community, I've been on a writing path from the start. The reason? I like keeping people informed.