Nigeria Leads Africa's Web3 Boom, Now 4% of Global Developers
Nigeria's Web3 developer community has witnessed remarkable growth and diversity in recent years. The country now leads Africa's Web3 ecosystem and accounts for 4% of all new developers worldwide in 2024.
In 2023, Nigeria's Web3 developer community expanded by 46%, reaching 0.87 million developers. This growth accelerated in 2024, with a 28% year-over-year increase, surpassing 1.1 million developers. The surge in numbers has been accompanied by a rise in female participation, now at about 17%.
DeFi and payments are the leading sectors for these developers, with around 35% focusing on these areas. Gaming and NFTs are also popular, with 24% of developers involved. Javascript is the most commonly used programming language, preferred by 50% of developers.
Despite the growth, only 15% of Nigerian Web3 developers hold full-time positions. The majority operate as freelancers. The community is also quite young, with 86% under 27 years old and over half entering the space within the last year. However, 89% report that their compensation is well below international standards.
Nigeria's Web3 ecosystem has shown impressive growth and diversification in recent years. Despite challenges in employment and compensation, the community continues to expand, with a significant surge in female participation. The popularity of DeFi, payments, gaming, and NFTs reflects the community's diverse interests. As the community grows, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and how Nigeria's Web3 startups fare in the global landscape.
