In today’s globalized world, the movement of people across borders has become increasingly common for various reasons, such as work, education, or to escape conflict or persecution.
For African migrants, the impact of this migration is often felt not only in their new home countries but also in their countries of origin. One way in which they support their families back home is by sending money to pay bills and cover expenses. However, this process can often be time-consuming and expensive.
To address this issue, Gilbert Mbeh, Founder and CEO of AcDiTo, launched AcDiTo Pay, a platform that empowers African migrants with the means to easily assist their families in paying bills back home. In this Q&A, Joan Aimuengheuwa explores Mbeh’s journey as an entrepreneur and the impact that AcDiTo Pay is having on the lives of African migrants and their families.
TE: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting AcDiTo Pay and how it aims to assist African migrants living abroad?
GM: Picture this: you’re living and working abroad, far from your loved ones. You want to support them, but sending money back home is a challenge. There’s no easy way to pay for the services they need. That’s the personal experience that sparked the creation of AcDiTo Pay.
“I saw a gap in the market for a service that would empower African migrants to easily assist their families back home. With remittance flows to Sub-Saharan Africa recorded at $48 billion in 2019, we saw an opportunity to provide a unified payment solution that offers endless possibilities for paying bills or helping someone else. Our mission became clear: to make life easier for African migrants and their families.”
TE: What are some of the unique features that set the product apart from other remittance services available to African migrants?
GM: AcDiTo Pay is not your average remittance service. A powerful API and AI-powered transactions make the power of AcDiTo Pay. With its advanced technology and user-friendly interface, it simplifies complex tasks and eliminates data complexity. Whether you’re purchasing products and services on behalf of your loved ones or sending money back home, AcDiTo Pay reduces paperwork and avoids numerous fees. In a market where Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest average remittance costs at about 7.8%, these features make AcDiTo Pay stand out from the crowd.
TE: How does AcDiTo Pay ensure the safety and security of transactions made by African migrants?
GM: When it comes to financial transactions, safety and security are paramount. At AcDiTo Pay, we take this responsibility seriously. That’s why we’ve implemented advanced technology and rigorous security measures to ensure that our users’ transactions are always protected. Our infrastructure is deployed on AWS, providing an additional layer of security for our users’ data. With AcDiTo Pay, you can rest assured that your transactions are in safe hands.
TE: Can you walk us through the process of how African migrants can use AcDiTo Pay to pay bills and transfer funds to their families back home?
GM: Imagine being able to pay bills and buy services on behalf of your loved ones back home with just a few clicks. That’s the power of AcDiTo Pay! To get started, African migrants simply need to sign up for the service and follow the easy-to-use instructions. It’s important to note that AcDiTo Pay is not used for fund transfers – instead, it allows users to pay bills and buy services on behalf of their families and friends. All your family member or friend needs to do is send you a payment request, which you can accept and pay or reject. It’s that simple!
TE: How has the product impacted the lives of African migrants and their families so far?
AcDiTo Pay has been a game-changer for African migrants and their families. By providing a convenient and secure way to assist their loved ones, we’ve brought peace of mind and financial stability to countless individuals. One of the most popular services on our platform is electricity bill payment. With AcDiTo Pay, African migrants can easily pay their families’ electricity bills, ensuring that their loved ones always have access to this essential service.
TE: What are your future plans for expanding and improving the services offered by AcDiTo Pay to better serve the needs of African migrants?
GM: Our future plans for AcDiTo Pay include expanding our services and partnering with strategic allies to build powerful products that scale and communities that last. We’re committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the remittance industry to continue meeting the evolving needs of African migrants.
TE: How does the product maintain its competitive edge in the remittance industry?
GM: In the fast-paced world of remittance, staying ahead of the game is key. At AcDiTo Pay, we do this by constantly innovating and improving our services. Our unique niche – empowering African migrants with the means to easily assist their families and friends in paying for the services they need – sets us apart from the competition. Our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our users is what gives us our competitive edge.
TE: Can you speak to the convenience and ease of use that AcDiTo Pay offers to African migrants in comparison to other remittance services?
GM: Now everyone can say goodbye to complicated remittance services! With this product, managing your finances has never been easier. Our user-friendly interface and advanced technology make it a breeze for African migrants to pay bills and buy services on behalf of their loved ones back home. In comparison to other remittance services, AcDiTo Pay offers unparalleled convenience and ease of use.
TE: How does the product stay up to date with the ever-evolving technology landscape to provide the best possible service to its users?
GM: At AcDiTo Pay, we never rest on our laurels. We stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements to provide the best possible service to our users.
TE: How do you envision AcDiTo Pay evolving in the next 5-10 years to continue to meet the needs of African migrants?
GM: The future is bright for AcDiTo Pay! In the next 5-10 years, we envision expanding our services to more cities and countries, partnering with strategic allies, and staying at the forefront of technological advancements to continue meeting the needs of African migrants. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a projected decline in remittance flows to Sub-Saharan Africa by 8.8% in 2020 and a further decline of 5.8% in 2021, we remain optimistic about the future of the remittance industry and are committed to providing the best possible service to our users.
