The Problem We Were Actually Solving
As a solo founder, I was used to taking on the world with my code. But this problem was different. I was trying to create a platform where African creators could make a living from their digital work, without having to navigate the complexities of international payments. The problem wasn't technical, it was geopolitical. If I wanted to succeed, I needed to find a payment solution that worked regardless of where my users were.
What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)
My first approach was to try and navigate the restrictions of the big payment gateways. I spent hours poring over the terms of service for PayPal, trying to find a way around the restrictions on Nigerian transactions. I even set up a Stripe account, only to discover that the fees were crippling for small transactions. But every way I turned, I hit a brick wall. The big platforms just weren't designed with African creators in mind.
The Architecture Decision
Around this time, I stumbled upon a little-known payment gateway called Wave. They had a presence in over 40 African countries, and their fees were significantly lower than the big platforms. But what really won me over was their focus on local currencies. Unlike the big platforms, which insisted on US dollars, Wave allowed me to process payments in local currencies like Naira and Rand. It was a small thing, but it made all the difference. Suddenly, my users could see the real value of their earnings, without getting hit with exchange rate fees.
What The Numbers Said After
The results were almost immediate. My user engagement increased by 30%, and my revenue actually went up by 25%. It wasn't just the payment gateway - it was the confidence my users had in the platform. When they knew they could get paid, they were more likely to invest in their work. And when they saw the real value of their earnings, they were more likely to come back.
What I Would Do Differently
Looking back, I wish I had approached this problem sooner. I wasted months trying to fit my users into a system that wasn't designed for them. But I also learned that sometimes, the biggest challenges are the ones that require the most creative solutions. If I had to do it again, I would have skipped the big payment gateways altogether, and gone straight to Wave. It may not have been the most obvious choice, but it was the one that worked. And when it comes to building a platform that truly serves its users, sometimes that's what matters most.
