Julaya
Overview
Julaya is a fintech company founded in 2018 by Charles Talbot and Mathias Léopoldie. It specializes in providing a B2B digital payment platform aimed at facilitating financial transactions across mobile money networks and traditional banks in West Africa. Julaya is based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and Paris, France. As of 2025, the company has raised a total of $7.8 million through multiple funding rounds, with investments from notable firms such as Speedinvest and CDC-CI Capital. The platform serves over 1,000 clients, including small to large businesses and government organizations.
Recent Developments
- October 2025: CDC-CI Capital, Côte d’Ivoire’s public investment fund, invested $1.4 million in Julaya via convertible bonds to aid its service expansion and client acquisition strategy in the region. This funding follows Julaya's acquisition of official Payment Establishment approval from the Central Bank of West African States, enabling easier expansion and partnerships.
- September 2023: Julaya conducted a $5 million funding round led by Speedinvest. The proceeds aim to expand its operations into new West African markets, including Benin, Togo, and Burkina Faso, and enhance product development, particularly the corporate expense management feature.
- May 2025: Julaya received formal licensing from the Central Bank of West African States, an essential step for fintech entities operating in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), signifying regulatory approval to operate across multiple regions.
- March 2024: Expansion efforts saw the opening of additional offices in Francophone Africa, supported by a funding round aimed at boosting personnel and infrastructural development, including innovative payment solutions.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and Paris, France |
| Founders | Mathias Léopoldie, Charles Talbot |
| Revenue | Not disclosed |
| Profits | Not disclosed |
| Key Investors | Speedinvest, CDC-CI Capital, 50 Partners, MFS Africa |
| Industry | Financial Technology (Fintech) |
| Number of Employees | About 105 |
Early History
Julaya was established in 2018 by Charles Talbot and Mathias Léopoldie, leveraging their prior experience in the fintech sector at LemonWay, a payment startup focusing on Francophone Africa. Recognizing the substantial unbanked population across West Africa, they aimed to bridge the gap between mobile money and traditional banking services. Their experience in dealing with mobile money solutions in Mali and Burkina Faso deeply informed Julaya's initial approach, which focused on digital payment solutions that could cater to a variety of business transactions, thus facilitating greater financial inclusion in regions with limited banking infrastructure.
Company Profile and Achievements
Julaya's business model revolves around offering a digital payment platform for African businesses to make seamless transactions, addressing the unique financial service needs in regions where mobile money is more prevalent than traditional banking. The company has recorded several achievements since its inception:
- The platform allows bulk transactions, bill payments, and cash collection, integrating seamlessly with existing mobile money systems.
- By 2023, Julaya had expanded to serve more than 1,000 clients including SMEs, large corporations, and government entities.
- Key milestones include obtaining official BCEAO licensing in 2025, critical for expanding its financial services in WAEMU.
- Julaya has consistently secured funding from high-profile investors such as Speedinvest and CDC-CI Capital, reflecting continued confidence in its growth strategy and market potential.
Current Operations and Market Position
Julaya operates primarily in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, and Togo, with a strategic focus on the digitization of payments for both banked and unbanked segments. The company holds a competitive market position in the fintech industry due to its ability to support multi-currency transactions, track expenses in real-time, and provide interoperable services across different mobile money operators. Julaya’s robust B2B digital accounts have positioned the company as a leader in fostering financial inclusion, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Conclusion
Julaya continues to play a vital role in the digitization of financial transactions in West Africa, effectively addressing the region's banking challenges through innovative fintech solutions. With strategic investments and regulatory approvals bolstering its expansion efforts, the company is poised for further growth. Its ability to harness mobile money services to enhance business operations and financial inclusivity in underbanked regions signifies a promising future, with potential for scaling and extending services across additional Francophone regions.