Cross-border payments have long been a headache in Africa, especially in Francophone regions where high fees, fragmented systems, and poor infrastructure make moving money a challenge. But Ivorian fintech Cauridor is stepping up to fix this, and it just scored $3.5 million in seed funding to keep the momentum going.

Cauridor’s platform allows merchants, banks, telecom operators, and money transfer companies to move funds in and out of Africa seamlessly. It supports mobile wallets, bank transfers, and cash pickups through a network of over 25,000 agents across countries like Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. These agents, often small business owners with point-of-sale devices, handle cash deposits, withdrawals, and bill payments—a popular method in the region.

The company’s hybrid approach combines cash networks with digital infrastructure, a strategy that’s paying off. It’s already processing remittances to key markets like Ghana and Nigeria and has partnerships with major players like Ria, MoneyGram, Western Union, Orange, and MTN. In 2023, Cauridor processed 2 million transactions with a total payment volume of $300 million, which jumped to $500 million in 2024.

Founded by Oumar Rafiou Barry and Abdoulaye Bah, Cauridor began as BNB CashApp, a consumer-focused remittance platform. But as the founders tackled the region’s inefficient payment systems, they realized the need for a broader solution. In 2022, they pivoted to build payment rails, merging their remittance business with B2B infrastructure under the Cauridor brand.

What sets Cauridor apart? Its focus on underserved markets like Guinea and Liberia, hands-on customer service, and competitive pricing. For instance, if a mobile money transaction fails due to incomplete KYC, Cauridor steps in to resolve the issue and ensure the payment goes through. This attention to detail has helped it attract major clients like MoneyGram, which switched to Cauridor for better rates and support.

With the new funding, Cauridor plans to expand into Mali and Nigeria, grow its teams, and explore blockchain integration to streamline settlements and tap into the rising adoption of stablecoins. As the fintech scales, it’s proving that solving complex payment challenges in underserved regions is not just possible—it’s profitable.