The Flip’s Post

Africa’s tech ecosystem wrapped up 2024 on a high note: Two new unicorns—TymeBank and Moniepoint—secured funding at valuations of over $1 billion. But how did their hybrid banking models get them there? Here’s what makes their approach so disruptive: Unlike fully digital banks like Revolut or Monzo, TymeBank and Moniepoint blend: - Digital banking for efficiency. - Physical touchpoints for accessibility. Why? It’s a model tailor-made for Africa, where: + Cash accounts for 90% of transactions. + Only 43% of Sub-Saharan Africa has internet access. + Trust in purely digital systems is still low. This dual approach bridges critical gaps. The new unicorns: 1) Moniepoint (Nigeria): Focused on small businesses, offering payments, loans, expense tools, and now retail banking. 2) TymeBank (South Africa): Started with affordable accounts and savings, then expanded into business banking and working capital. Both solve real problems for underserved markets. How TymeBank is winning in South Africa: Partners with retailers like Pick n Pay and Boxer, using in-store kiosks to onboard customers. 1,000+ kiosks and 15,000 retail points act as mini-branches, meeting people where they shop. The result? 15M users across South Africa and the Philippines. Moniepoint’s approach in Nigeria: Deployed 200,000+ agents, often small business owners equipped with POS devices. These agents act as “human ATMs,” bridging urban-rural divides where branches and ATMs are scarce. Impact: 10M+ users across retail and business banking. In regions where: ・Internet access is unreliable (43% in Sub-Saharan Africa). ・Cash is king (90%+ of transactions). ・Trust in online systems is low. A mix of physical and digital services is both innovative and necessary. More here via TechCrunch: https://lnkd.in/drJzdWEH ---------------------------------------- Want more insights and stories from entrepreneurs around the continent to help make building easier? Subscribe to our newsletter below 👇

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Christiaan Jonker

Business and People Leader | Psychometric Assessment Expert | Leader of Diversity and Inclusion | Business Strategy | Continuous Improvement

2mo

Fascinating insights.

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