Teleka: Building the Digital Backbone for Africa's $190B Informal Finance Sector
We are a B2B SaaS platform providing the essential digital core banking infrastructure that enables SACCOs and savings groups to transition from legacy, branch-dependent operations into scalable, mobile-first financial institutions. We unlock the trapped economic potential of 37.8 million members.
01 The Crisis & The $74B Opportunity
Traditional SACCOs are losing the digital race. Teleka provides the lifeline.
The Branch-Centric Trap
In a mobile-first continent, forcing physical branch visits for basic services is a recipe for churn. Members carry smartphones but SACCOs remain branch-locked, creating a massive experience gap.
Cost: An estimated $500-$2,000 in lost lifetime value per member relationship.
The 14-Day Loan Death Sentence
While fintechs disburse in minutes, traditional SACCO loan approval takes an average of 5-14 days due to manual processes. Members are abandoning ship for speed.
Result: SACCOs experience 15-25% annual churn vs. 5-8% for digital leaders.
The Fragmented Infrastructure
Most SACCOs rely on a patchwork of non-integrated systems—separate for loans, savings, and payments. This creates data silos, operational complexity, and crippling reliance on third-party intermediaries.
Barrier: Inability to connect to National Payment Systems (NPS) independently limits growth.
The Teleka Opportunity: Digitally transformed SACCOs leveraging platforms like Teleka see monthly revenue increases of +164% (from ~$28k to ~$74k). The market is ready for a unified solution.
02 The Teleka Solution: One Platform, Infinite Scale
We are the all-in-one digital core banking system built for the African SACCO.
Core SaaS Platform
- Cloud-based Core Banking
- Integrated Loan Management with AI Scoring
- Unified Member & Account Management
- Real-time Analytics & Compliance Dashboards
API-First Integration Layer
Seamless connections to the ecosystem:
Omnichannel Member Access
Meet every member where they are:
Key Value Propositions:
- For SACCOs: Cut operational costs by 40-60%, reduce loan processing to hours, and boost member acquisition by 300-500% with digital onboarding.
- For Members: Gain 24/7 access, instant loans, and a Teleka Credit Score that turns informal savings into a formal financial identity.
- For Partners: A single, secure API gateway to access a vast, pre-qualified market of savers and borrowers.
03 Market Dynamics & Our Position
A vast, underpenetrated market ripe for consolidation by a first-mover.
The $190B Foundation
Sub-Saharan Africa's mobile money ecosystem alone added ~$40B to regional GDP from 2022 to 2023, reaching $190B. This is the digital transaction layer Teleka is built upon.
Yet, the SACCOs that hold community savings are largely analog. With only 20-30% digital adoption in East Africa, the white space is enormous.
The Competitive Landscape: Why Teleka Wins
| Player Type | Strengths | Weaknesses (Teleka's Advantage) |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Core Banking Vendors | Feature-rich | Expensive, rigid, not cloud-native, poor mobile experience |
| Digital-Only Lenders (e.g., Tala) | Speed, UX | High-cost credit (~30%+), no savings/community focus, trust issues |
| Piecemeal Fintech Tools | Solve specific pains | Create fragmentation, data silos, higher total cost |
| Teleka | The Integrated Platform: Unifies affordability (SACCO rates), digital convenience, and community trust into one scalable SaaS solution. | |
Our Path to Early Traction
Our initial focus is on progressive SACCOs in Kenya and Uganda—markets with high mobile money penetration and clear regulatory frameworks. We are building a reference portfolio to demonstrate the transformative ROI: 164% revenue growth and 40-60% cost reduction for our clients.
04 Scalable SaaS Model & Unit Economics
Predictable ARR, high margins, and clear paths to profitability.
Primary: Tiered SaaS Subscription
Recurring fee based on Active Member Count and Assets Under Management (AUM). Packages (Basic, Pro, Enterprise) unlock advanced features like AI credit scoring and advanced analytics.
Target ACV: $5,000 - $50,000+ per SACCO annually.
Secondary: Transaction & Value-Added Services
Revenue share on payment processing, premium integrations (e.g., card issuance), and commissions on loans facilitated through our platform's marketplace.
Margin: High-margin, incremental revenue that scales with client success.
Market & Financial Highlights
- Target Addressable Market (TAM): 5,000+ SACCOs in East Africa with ~20M active members. Initial SAM: 500+ progressive SACCOs seeking digital transformation.
- Unit Economics: High LTV/CAC ratio. Low cost to serve via cloud infrastructure. CAC repaid within 12-18 months.
- Funds Utilization: This raise will accelerate platform development, sales expansion across East Africa, and strategic partner integrations.
05 Execution: Navigating Barriers & Building the Ecosystem
Our strategy to overcome market barriers through technology and partnerships.
Market Barriers & Our Solutions
| Barrier | Our Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|
| High Switching Costs & Inertia SACCOs fear disruption. | Phased Implementation & ROI Guarantee: Co-create migration plans. Demonstrate quick wins (e.g., digital onboarding) to build trust. |
| Regulatory Complexity Varying rules across regions. | Compliance-by-Design Platform: Build regulatory reporting (SASRA, CBK) into the core. Engage early with regulators as a solution partner. |
| Need for Ecosystem Integration Must connect to banks, telcos, etc. | API-First Architecture & Strategic Partnerships: Pre-build integrations with major mobile money and payment systems. Pursue formal alliances. |
| Capital Intensity for Growth | Capital-Efficient SaaS Model: Recurring revenue funds expansion. Seek strategic investors who provide capital and market access. |
A Call to Strategic Partners
Teleka is not just a product; it's a partner-driven ecosystem. We are the bridge that connects you to the massive, trusted, but under-digitized community finance sector.
For Banks & Financial Institutions
We are your de-risked customer acquisition channel. Access pre-vetted SMEs and individuals with growing Teleka Credit Scores. Co-create loan products for our network.
For Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
Deepen engagement with your mobile money ecosystem. We drive transaction volume and offer advanced financial products (savings, loans) to your customer base, as seen in the Orange-JUMO partnership model.
For Payment & Fintech Enablers
We are a high-volume distribution partner. Integrate your card programs, cross-border solutions, or insurance products directly into the daily financial lives of millions.
06 The Team, The Vision & The Ask
Backed by deep regional expertise in fintech, banking, and cooperative finance.
Our founding team combines decades of experience building scalable fintech in Africa, managing SACCO operations, and deploying enterprise SaaS. We have lived the problem and are building the definitive solution.
Our Vision: To be the indispensable digital infrastructure powering community finance across emerging markets, creating a more inclusive and prosperous economic future.
We Are Raising $3M in Seed Funding
Funds will be deployed over 18 months to:
Join us in building the foundational layer for the next decade of African finance.
Schedule a Investor Briefing Explore a Strategic Partnership