Unlocking access: the rise of cross-border banking in Africa 

Africa is home to one of the world’s youngest, fastest growing, and most digitally connected populations. Yet, for hundreds of millions of people, modern financial services remain out of reach.

Across francophone Africa, nearly 400 million people still struggle with local banking systems that make it difficult to participate in the global economy.

Opening a foreign currency account or receiving an international transfer can take weeks. Cards are often restricted to domestic use. Savings are exposed to volatile local currencies and inflation.

The result? A two-speed financial landscape: on one side, a generation of digitally native consumers and entrepreneurs ready to transact globally; on the other, legacy banking infrastructures designed for closed, cash-based economies.

The limits of current solutions  

Over the past decade, Africa’s fintech scene has expanded, with payment leaders such as Flutterwave, Chipper Cash, or Wave transforming money transfers and mobile payments.
However, most of these solutions do not cover french speaking Africa or are still limited to regional scope.

For millions of people across francophone Africa, there’s still no simple way to open an international bank account, receive/send global payments, or access the same digital banking tools common in Europe or the US.

The African fintech market is projected to reach $65 billion by 2030, and digital payments in Africa are expected to expand to $1.5 trillion by 2030, according to a Mastercard report. At the same time, Africa’s cross-border payments market is forecast to more than triple by 2035, jumping from ~$329 billion in 2025 to over $1 trillion, according to Oui Capital.

These macro trends underscore the enormous demand for solutions that bridge local gaps and integrate African users into the global financial system.

Moneco: cross-border banking made simple

Moneco is a cross-border neobank that empowers francophone Africans to access global financial services with the same ease and speed as in the West.

With just a passport or national ID, users can open:

• a European IBAN,

• a US account, or

• a USDC wallet (a regulated USD stablecoin).

• a VISA card

• instant remittances  

The app integrates accessibility with compliance, enabling users to make instant transfers, receive global payments, and spend using Visa cards accepted in 150+ countries, all while keeping their money stable and secure.

Moneco’s impact reaches beyond convenience. It’s enabling:

• Freelancers to receive payments from international clients instantly.

• Families to send and receive remittances without excessive fees.

• Small businesses to join the global digital economy and transact across borders.

The early numbers validate strong demand and product–market fit:

• $430K annualized revenue in under 3 months

• $1,200+ average monthly GTV per active user

• 80% recurring revenue from subscriptions, card usage, and transactions

• 14x marketing ROI, with $1 spent generating $14 in revenue  
  

For a region historically excluded from global banking, Moneco is not just a neobank. It’s a new layer of digital infrastructure enabling participation, mobility, and economic empowerment.

A Y Combinator alumnus, Moneco is backed by Stanford, Ajim Capital, Digital Africa, HoaQ, and other notable investors.

As digital wallets, stablecoins, and cross-border banking converge, Moneco is positioning itself at the intersection of fintech innovation and inclusion, unlocking access to the global financial system for millions.

Investment opportunity

The African fintech market is expected to surpass $65 billion by 2030, driven by digital adoption, cross-border trade, and a young, mobile-first population. Within that landscape, francophone Africa remains one of the least served but most promising regions, representing a massive untapped demand for global financial connectivity.

Founded by Bilal Dahlab (CEO), Shams Radjabaly (COO), and Jimmy Kuassi Kumako (CTO), with backgrounds at Boston Consulting Group, Société Générale, and IFC, Moneco addresses this opportunity with a regulatory-compliant, cross-border neobank that combines multi-currency accounts, Visa cards, and stablecoin wallets into one unified platform.

The company has demonstrated rapid early traction and strong unit economics, achieving recurring revenues within months of launch and building a scalable infrastructure for future growth.

With its current round on SeedBlink, Moneco is raising funds to scale product development, secure licenses, expand remittance corridors, and accelerate growth across Africa and its diaspora.

Explore the round and join Moneco’s mission to make global finance accessible to everyone.