Case Study : How the Fintech Start-up CLEAN PAY Secured Its Transactions and Notifications with EkoTech’s SMS Authentication Services

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Published 4 September 2025By KOUNGA

Categorized as Startups & Entrepreneurship

Case Study: How the Fintech Start-up CLEAN PAY Secured Its Transactions and Notifications with EkoTech’s SMS Authentication Services

Introduction

In Africa’s booming digital economy, Fintech has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors. Across the continent, start-ups are creating innovative solutions to simplify payments, transfers, and access to credit. Yet, as opportunities expand, two challenges remain constant: transaction security and user trust.

Without trust, no digital payment app can thrive. Without strong security, even the most innovative financial platform will eventually fail.

This was the exact challenge faced by CLEAN PAY, a Cameroon-based Fintech start-up whose mission is to simplify online payments for small businesses. With an ambitious vision to scale across Central and West Africa, the company needed to guarantee its users that their funds and data were safe.

CLEAN PAY turned to EkoTech, part of the Africa Venture Group, to reinforce its platform with robust SMS-based authentication and instant transaction notifications.

The Challenge Faced by CLEAN PAY

1.1 Company Background

Founded in 2021, CLEAN PAY positioned itself as a payment facilitator for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and freelancers. By 2023, it had already acquired more than 10,000 active users.

But success brought increased scrutiny. As transaction volumes grew, concerns about fraud prevention, transparency, and compliance also intensified.

1.2 Problems Encountered

User trust issues: many feared fraud, identity theft, or unauthorized access.
Lack of real-time notifications: users often had to call customer service to confirm if a payment had gone through.
Regulatory pressure: financial regulators required stronger authentication and traceability of transactions.

The conclusion was clear: without a secure and transparent communication system, CLEAN PAY risked losing its credibility, slowing down adoption, and facing barriers to growth.

The Solution Delivered by EkoTech

After workshops with CLEAN PAY’s leadership and technical teams, EkoTech designed a simple yet powerful solution based on its SMS API services.

2.1 Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) via SMS

Each user action considered sensitive required a one-time password (OTP) sent instantly by SMS:

Login attempts into their account.
Major transactions such as payments, transfers, or adding new beneficiaries.

Even if a password was compromised, unauthorized access was nearly impossible without the SMS OTP.

2.2 Real-Time Transaction Notifications

Every financial transaction triggered an automatic SMS including:

The amount debited or credited.
The sender or recipient’s identity.
The updated account balance.

This transparency provided immediate reassurance to users, eliminating doubts and reinforcing trust.

Mise en œuvre technique

3.1 Fast and Easy API Integration

EkoTech provided CLEAN PAY with a well-documented SMS API. The integration process was completed in less than two weeks, and test transactions were already running.

3.2 Reliability and Delivery Speed

Thanks to EkoTech’s partnerships with local telecom operators, 98% of SMS messages were delivered in under 5 seconds, even in rural areas where internet penetration was limited.

3.3 Full Automation

The solution required no manual intervention. OTPs and notifications were automatically generated and sent, minimizing errors and ensuring reliability at scale.

Results Achieved

Within six months of integrating EkoTech’s SMS services, CLEAN PAY achieved remarkable improvements across multiple KPIs :

+40% increase in user trust: satisfaction surveys showed that customers felt significantly safer using the platform.

Zero fraud complaints: thanks to systematic OTP validation, no fraudulent transactions were reported.

50% reduction in customer support workload: users no longer needed to call for transaction confirmations, saving time and resources.

Enhanced regulatory compliance: implementing 2FA and transparent notifications made it easier to collaborate with financial regulators.

Testimonials

Leadership Testimonial (CLEAN PAY)

“Partnering with EkoTech transformed how we approach security. We’re no longer just offering payments—we’re selling trust. Our customers feel protected, and that changes everything.”

Customer Testimonial

“Before, I always worried whether my payments went through. Now, I receive an instant SMS for every transaction. It reassures me and makes me want to use the platform more.”

Analyse stratégique

Le cas de CLEAN PAY met en lumière une vérité essentielle concernant la Fintech : la confiance est la monnaie qui stimule la croissance.

The case of CLEAN PAY highlights a critical truth about Fintech: trust is the currency that drives growth.

Without strong security, customers won’t return.
Without transparency, regulators won’t approve.
Without clear communication, the market won’t believe in you.

By leveraging EkoTech’s SMS authentication and notification solutions, CLEAN PAY successfully transitioned from a promising start-up into a trusted Fintech player.

Why EkoTech is the Right Partner for Fintechs

EkoTech offers more than just SMS delivery. We empower financial institutions and digital businesses with reliable communication tools that protect users and build credibility.

Our strengths include:

Reliability: multi-operator coverage ensuring SMS delivery under 5 seconds.
Ease of use: fast, well-documented API integration.
Customization: tailored messages aligned with each client’s branding.
Compliance: adherence to international security and data protection standards.

Key Lessons Learned

The CLEAN PAY experience shows that:

SMS-based 2FA is simple, affordable, and highly effective in securing transactions.

Instant notifications reduce operational costs while improving customer experience.

Local solutions designed for the African context can match global best practices.

Conclusion: Trust as the Foundation of Fintech Success

In the Fintech industry, technology alone is not enough. Growth is driven by the trust of users.

For CLEAN PAY, adopting EkoTech’s SMS services was not a mere technical enhancement—it was a strategic investment in credibility. By securing every transaction and providing real-time communication, the company has built a strong reputation that positions it for sustainable growth in Africa’s competitive financial landscape.

Call to Action

Are you a start-up, a bank, an insurance company, or a digital business? Do you want to build customer trust and secure your transactions with simple, effective solutions?

Take action today with EkoTech.

Book a free one-hour consultation with us to explore tailored solutions for your business :