Transferring money across African borders has remained a significant obstacle for businesses and individuals alike, slowing trade and overall economic development. Even with the rise of several fintech solutions, seamless cross-border transactions within the continent remain challenging.
Cardri, an African fintech founded in 2022 by Bolaji Okunade, Yusuf Ibrahim, and Clement David, is working to solve one of the continent’s oldest trade challenges: seamless cross-border transactions. Since entering open testing in September 2024, the startup has offered a financial super app that merges payments with AI-enabled risk management for businesses and traders.
Competitive Advantage
Africa’s fintech landscape is increasingly crowded, with players such as OPay, Flutterwave, and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) making their mark. Yet, Cardri sets itself apart with its AI-powered risk management capabilities.
This intelligent feature enables users to lock in exchange rates or commodity prices, shielding businesses from volatile currency movements or inflation. For instance, a farmer can secure today’s maize price to avoid potential losses from future declines, while a manufacturer can stabilize input costs ahead of production.
Cardri’s AI and machine learning systems analyze price trends and suggest optimal hedging margins, making participation in derivatives trading more accessible and affordable. Unlike traditional exchanges such as NGX, Cardri’s platform offers instant settlement and operates 24/7, unrestricted by conventional market hours.
Driving Financial Empowerment and Intra-African Trade Through Intelligent Payments
Cardri’s vision goes far beyond enabling cross-border transactions; it aims to equip African businesses with the digital tools needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected marketplace. By combining frictionless payment solutions with advanced, AI-powered risk management, the startup is positioning itself as a catalyst for unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade.
To date, more than 1,500 users have processed over $500,000 in transactions on the platform. Cardri’s AI-driven risk tools enable businesses and individuals to hedge against currency volatility and commodity price fluctuations, offering a pathway to greater financial stability across the continent.
Operating on a low-fee model, Cardri charges less than 1% per transaction and earns revenue through global payouts and currency swaps. Intra-African transfers remain free to attract new users and build trust, and the company has generated $8,000 in revenue since launch.
Cardri stands out in a crowded fintech market with its intelligent risk features, intuitive user interface, and WhatsApp integration, allowing users to make payments via voice commands or by simply sending a photo of an account number. The company is currently awaiting approval from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission to launch its derivatives and risk management platform by Q1 2026. It expects its WhatsApp interface to go live by the end of November 2025.
Cardri: Shaping the Future of African Fintech
Cardri stands out in a competitive fintech landscape through its AI-powered tools, user-friendly interface, and WhatsApp integration, which enables users to make payments via voice commands or by sending photos of account numbers. The company is currently awaiting approval from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission to launch its derivatives and risk management platform by Q1 2026, with its WhatsApp interface slated to go live by the end of November 2025.
Looking ahead, Cardri envisions itself as a continental financial infrastructure layer, democratizing access to advanced financial tools for SMEs, traders, and farmers, while driving greater efficiency in intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Payments are the backbone of trade. If you can fix how money moves across Africa, you can fix how business works in Africa,” said Okunade.
Beyond simplifying payments, Cardri’s broader mission is to equip African businesses with the tools they need to thrive in an interconnected marketplace. By combining seamless payment solutions with intelligent risk management, the startup is positioning itself as a key enabler of intra-African trade and economic growth.
Leave a comment