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Bamboo, an investment platform that enables Africans to invest globally through real-time access to global markets, has announced the launch of its remittance app, “Coins by Bamboo.” The company said this in a statement seen by Technext. The move effectively marks Bamboo’s diversification from its primary investments business into remittances.
According to the statement, the new app which is now available on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store will enable Nigerians in the diaspora to make faster, more secure and cheaper money transfers to loved ones from the convenience of their mobile phones. The business is backed by the Canadian Money Service Business licence which the company has secured.
Speaking on the launch, Co-founder and CEO of Bamboo, Richmond Bassey, says, the company is thrilled to officially launch “Coins by Bamboo” to the public as it is a logical evolution of its core values. These values revolve around providing an opportunity for Africans to participate in the global investment economy.
“We believe that one of the most preferred and important investments of Africans is in other Africans – investing in people and their futures through human capital development; and we want to contribute to making this a seamless process. For us, this new app further ignites our mission to democratise access to investment opportunities for Africans by fostering social impact and opportunities to invest in the wellbeing of those who matter the most to them,” Bassey said.
Bamboo, a Y-Combinator-backed company, was founded in 2019 by Richmond Bassey (CEO) and Yanmo Omorogbe (COO). The platform was established as an online brokerage service which connects Africans with the US stock market, allowing those across the socioeconomic bracket to buy and trade global stocks on its app.
The company says its latest addition, the Coins by Bamboo app, is only an extension of its brand ethos which is to give Africans the ability to invest in anything from everywhere. The company says this further reflects its commitment to democratising wealth building and facilitating meaningful investments in local communities as well as Africa’s future.
Bamboo is also venturing into a space with huge growth potential. According to the World Bank, remittance flows to sub-Saharan Africa peaked at $54 billion in 2023 and remittance via formal channels is projected to reach $283 billion by 2035. Thus, for many in Africa, the remittance industry is a crucial lifeline.
However, the region continues to have the highest average remittance cost in the world at about 7.9 per cent per $200. This is a lot compared to the global average of 5 per cent per $200. Bamboo is optimistic that its new app will help reduce costs to a globally competitive rate.
“The new app will offer competitive rates comparable to their counterparts, in addition to offering customers the unique opportunity to directly donate to a curated list of charities. By addressing the high fees and complex transfer processes, Coins by Bamboo is offering a more streamlined and cost-effective alternative that benefits both senders and recipients,” the company said.
The company says it is able to take advantage of lessons learnt from connecting Africans with global asset classes to bring cost savings that are crucial for the millennials and Gen-Z who have migrated to Canada over the last ten years but still maintain strong ties to their home country.
The service will be initially available to Africans in the Nigeria-Canada corridor before expanding to the United Kingdom. Having successfully scaled the Canadian vetting process to acquire an MSB licence, the company is certified to offer remittance financial services to a high standard of regulatory and operational compliance.
Bamboo is also partnering with several charitable foundations including Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Chess2Slums and Bethesda Home For The Blind to make it easier for Nigerians in the diaspora to donate to causes and projects that they care about.
See also: Bamboo finally introduces Nigerian stocks on its platform 14 months after obtaining SEC approval
The post Bamboo diversifies into remittances, launches Coins by Bamboo to crash remittance cost first appeared on Technext.
According to the statement, the new app which is now available on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store will enable Nigerians in the diaspora to make faster, more secure and cheaper money transfers to loved ones from the convenience of their mobile phones. The business is backed by the Canadian Money Service Business licence which the company has secured.
Speaking on the launch, Co-founder and CEO of Bamboo, Richmond Bassey, says, the company is thrilled to officially launch “Coins by Bamboo” to the public as it is a logical evolution of its core values. These values revolve around providing an opportunity for Africans to participate in the global investment economy.
“We believe that one of the most preferred and important investments of Africans is in other Africans – investing in people and their futures through human capital development; and we want to contribute to making this a seamless process. For us, this new app further ignites our mission to democratise access to investment opportunities for Africans by fostering social impact and opportunities to invest in the wellbeing of those who matter the most to them,” Bassey said.
Bamboo to crash cost of remittance
Bamboo, a Y-Combinator-backed company, was founded in 2019 by Richmond Bassey (CEO) and Yanmo Omorogbe (COO). The platform was established as an online brokerage service which connects Africans with the US stock market, allowing those across the socioeconomic bracket to buy and trade global stocks on its app.
The company says its latest addition, the Coins by Bamboo app, is only an extension of its brand ethos which is to give Africans the ability to invest in anything from everywhere. The company says this further reflects its commitment to democratising wealth building and facilitating meaningful investments in local communities as well as Africa’s future.
Bamboo is also venturing into a space with huge growth potential. According to the World Bank, remittance flows to sub-Saharan Africa peaked at $54 billion in 2023 and remittance via formal channels is projected to reach $283 billion by 2035. Thus, for many in Africa, the remittance industry is a crucial lifeline.
However, the region continues to have the highest average remittance cost in the world at about 7.9 per cent per $200. This is a lot compared to the global average of 5 per cent per $200. Bamboo is optimistic that its new app will help reduce costs to a globally competitive rate.
“The new app will offer competitive rates comparable to their counterparts, in addition to offering customers the unique opportunity to directly donate to a curated list of charities. By addressing the high fees and complex transfer processes, Coins by Bamboo is offering a more streamlined and cost-effective alternative that benefits both senders and recipients,” the company said.
The company says it is able to take advantage of lessons learnt from connecting Africans with global asset classes to bring cost savings that are crucial for the millennials and Gen-Z who have migrated to Canada over the last ten years but still maintain strong ties to their home country.
The service will be initially available to Africans in the Nigeria-Canada corridor before expanding to the United Kingdom. Having successfully scaled the Canadian vetting process to acquire an MSB licence, the company is certified to offer remittance financial services to a high standard of regulatory and operational compliance.
Bamboo is also partnering with several charitable foundations including Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Chess2Slums and Bethesda Home For The Blind to make it easier for Nigerians in the diaspora to donate to causes and projects that they care about.
See also: Bamboo finally introduces Nigerian stocks on its platform 14 months after obtaining SEC approval
The post Bamboo diversifies into remittances, launches Coins by Bamboo to crash remittance cost first appeared on Technext.