Cameroonian fintech startup REasy has raised $1.8 million in pre-seed funding to streamline cross-border payments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. The investment round was led by Ingressive Capital, Launch Africa Ventures, and 54 Collective, with additional support from Digital Africa, Techmind, and prominent angel investors including Christophe Chausson, Mathias Léopoldie, Marième Diop, and Joël Nana Kontchou.
Founded in 2023, REasy aims to simplify the complexities of international trade for African SMEs by providing a platform that integrates local payment systems such as MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, and bank transfers with global payment networks like Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay. This integration enables businesses to make compliant, real-time payments for transactions under $10,000—a segment often underserved by traditional banks.
A significant milestone for REasy is its collaboration with the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) to develop a foreign exchange framework tailored for small importers. This partnership allows for efficient and compliant multi-currency transactions, addressing long-standing barriers such as high transaction costs, fraud risks, and payment delays.
The newly acquired funds will be utilized to enhance REasy’s technological infrastructure, expand its operations into West Africa, and secure necessary regulatory licenses. The company plans to scale its services to other African countries, starting with Nigeria, which records over $25 billion in annual imports from China.
With thousands of active users already trading between China and Cameroon—a corridor that saw $3.71 billion in imports in 2023—REasy is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming Africa’s trade landscape. By reducing settlement times from weeks to minutes, the platform is empowering SMEs to engage more effectively in global commerce.
REasy’s innovative approach not only facilitates smoother international transactions but also fosters economic growth by providing African entrepreneurs with the tools needed to compete in the global market.
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