Africa: Startbutton Enters Francophone Africa to Power Cross-Border Expansion

9 February 2025
Daba Finance (Abidjan)
  • Startbutton is launching in seven Francophone African countries
  • The Norrsken-backed startup helps businesses expand without physical offices
  • The countries include Benin, Togo, Senegal, Mali, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon

Startbutton, a Norrsken-backed startup that helps businesses expand without physical offices, is launching in seven Francophone African countries: Benin, Togo, Senegal, Mali, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon. The expansion enables businesses to enter these markets and accept local payments.

Francophone Africa has become a key growth destination for startups, driven by a rising middle-class population with disposable income. However, companies face challenges such as complex regulations, language barriers, and limited payment infrastructure. Startbutton addresses these issues by facilitating local payments while allowing businesses to charge in foreign currencies.

With this expansion, Startbutton now operates in 15 countries, focusing on industries like travel, education, and digital services. The company processes over $5 million monthly, earning 0.5-1% per transaction. It expects to add $2 million in transaction volume from the Francophone market.

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Key Takeaways

Startbutton's expansion aligns with the growing demand for cross-border business solutions in Africa. Companies struggle with payment processing and regulatory compliance, and Startbutton's model offers an integrated approach. Unlike competitors such as DLocal and Julaya, Startbutton provides local tax compliance alongside payment solutions, reducing operational barriers for businesses entering Francophone markets. The company has secured regulatory licenses in Nigeria and the UK and serves over 100 businesses across 20 countries. Its Direct Currency Converter (DCC) allows companies to maintain foreign pricing while enabling local payments, improving accessibility for customers.

Read the original article on Daba Finance.

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