When people talk about the creator economy, they usually think of Europe, the United States, or Asia. Yet another continent is rapidly becoming a central stage for the future: Africa. With 1.5 billion inhabitants and a young, connected generation eager to build online businesses, the potential is enormous.
For Jean-Marie Cordaro, founder of Bonzai.pro, the conviction is clear: Africa is the future of the creator economy. And this is not just intuition, it is the result of concrete observations, numbers, and firsthand experience with African creators.
African creators face unique challenges
The lack of adapted tools
In Europe or the U.S., a creator can sell a course online in just a few clicks through PayPal, Stripe, or other integrated solutions. In Africa, the situation is radically different:
- No PayPal in many countries.
- Stripe unavailable across most of the continent.
- Bank transfers are complicated and often blocked.
The result: African creators who want to monetize their content often have to improvise. Some use local classified sites, others rely on informal payment systems. This complexity slows their growth and limits access to international opportunities.
Daily frustration
Imagine being a creator with a motivated audience and paying customers ready to buy, yet having no way to accept a single euro. This is the reality for thousands of African creators today. Many give up simply because they lack reliable solutions.
This frustration is exactly what Jean-Marie Cordaro aims to turn into opportunity.
Bonzai: a response to real needs
A free, universal platform
With Bonzai.pro, African creators finally have a simple tool to sell their products, courses, and services. Access is free, setup takes just a few minutes, and everything is centralized on a single page.
The idea is to remove both technical and financial barriers so that anyone can start quickly.
Integration of local currencies
One of Bonzai’s strengths is the integration of more than 13 African currencies (CFA franc, Nigerian naira, Kenyan shilling, and more). This means creators can sell directly in their local currency, without complicated conversions.
An international gateway
But Bonzai is not limited to local markets. The platform also allows creators to sell in euros or dollars to global audiences, then withdraw earnings in local currency or crypto. This is a double opportunity: local simplicity, global reach.
Why Africa holds unique potential
A young, connected population
With an average age below 20, Africa is the youngest continent in the world. This generation is hyper-connected, eager to learn, and hungry to create. Smartphones have become their primary tool for consuming content, learning, and starting businesses.
A strong drive to succeed
Jean-Marie Cordaro highlights a striking contrast between Africa and Europe. In Africa, he observes a real “hunger” to succeed. Creators want to seize opportunities; they are unafraid to sell, to test, to launch. In Europe, many still hesitate to monetize their content, while in Africa, the drive to turn an idea into a business is far stronger.
An underserved market
While Europe and the U.S. are saturated with tools and solutions, Africa remains largely underserved. This means a solution like Bonzai can have an immediate and massive impact.
Jean Marie Cordaro’s ambition: building a sustainable ecosystem
For Jean-Marie Cordaro, it’s not just about providing a technical tool. His vision goes further: to build a sustainable ecosystem where African creators can develop strong, independent careers.
That involves:
- reliable monetization tools,
- accessible education, to help creators structure their businesses,
- human support, because trust is built, not assumed.
A comparison with Europe: two different realities
Jean-Marie Cordaro often emphasizes the differences in mindset between the two continents.
- In Europe, creators have powerful tools at their disposal, but many hesitate to sell, worried about “bothering” their audience.
- In Africa, despite the lack of tools, creators are not afraid to offer their products and services.
This paradox explains why Africa could become, in the coming years, the center of gravity of the global creator economy.
Bonzai and Africa: a strategic alliance
By integrating African currencies and allowing crypto payments, Bonzai positions itself as a key player for the future.
The platform serves as a bridge:
- for African creators, who finally gain access to a simple, reliable solution;
- for international audiences, who can now support their favorite creators with confidence.
This alliance could reshape the creator economy in the decade ahead.
Conclusion: Africa, the future of the creator economy
For Jean Marie Cordaro, the conclusion is clear: Africa is the future of the creator economy. A young population, a drive to succeed, an underserved market, and a unique energy, everything is in place.
With Bonzai.pro and Bonzai-Pay, he brings concrete solutions to long-ignored problems. More than just a tool, it is a mission: to empower African creators to take their rightful place on the global stage.
And tomorrow, there is no doubt that many leaders of the creator economy will emerge from Lagos, Dakar, Abidjan, or Nairobi.
