Kenya vs Namibia
Crypto regulation comparison
Kenya
Namibia
No Regulation
Legal
Kenya has no comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation, though it is one of Africa's leading crypto markets by adoption. The Central Bank has issued warnings but no formal ban. Kenya's 2023 Finance Act introduced a 3% Digital Asset Tax on income from digital asset transfers, signaling growing regulatory attention.
Namibia enacted the Virtual Assets Act (Act 10 of 2023) establishing a comprehensive licensing framework for VASPs. The Bank of Namibia is designated as regulator. Crypto is legal but not legal tender. No specific crypto tax framework yet.
Tax Type
Varies
Tax Type
No framework
Tax Rate
1.5-3% (proposed digital asset tax)
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
CBK (Central Bank of Kenya), CMA (Capital Markets Authority)
Regulator
Bank of Namibia
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under Virtual Assets Act
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation, but the 2023 Finance Act introduced a 3% Digital Asset Tax
- CBK has issued multiple warnings about crypto but has not imposed a ban
- CMA considering a framework for digital asset regulation
- Kenya consistently ranks among the top countries globally for crypto adoption (P2P volume)
- M-Pesa mobile money dominance shapes how Kenyans access crypto via P2P exchanges
Key Points
- Virtual Assets Act (Act 10 of 2023) signed into law July 2023
- VASPs must obtain licenses from Bank of Namibia to operate
- Provisional licenses granted to first two exchanges in 2025
- Non-compliance penalties up to NAD 10 million and 10 years imprisonment
- Crypto is not legal tender but merchants may accept at their discretion