An electrical engineer by training and a mother of four, Abir Allam began her entrepreneurial journey in 2007 with crochet, creating safe and eco-friendly products for children as an alternative to plastic and silicone. What started as a small craft activity gradually evolved into a broader vision. In 2023, she officially registered Pikadu as a company in Egypt, with the ambition of expanding across the African continent.
Today, Pikadu is reaching new markets, with growing interest from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. But beyond creativity and craftsmanship, this cross-border expansion quickly raised a central question: how to receive payments in a fast, reliable, and secure way.
To support this growth, Abir adopted digital payment solutions that allow her business to operate more efficiently across different markets.
“We use digital wallets such as InstaPay in Egypt, while other solutions are used in neighboring African markets. Digital payments are essential for our business. They allow us to receive money instantly and manage our cash flow more easily. Without them, cross-border trade would be much more difficult.”
The shift to digital payments also transformed how Pikadu manages its day-to-day finances.
“After relying on cash for many years, especially when working with suppliers, we now know exactly what we spend and where our money goes. It has given us much greater clarity and control over our costs and results.”
Reflecting on her journey, Abir offers a strong piece of advice to women and young entrepreneurs who want to move beyond their local markets and grow internationally: “If you want to scale your business, you have to go digital. A digital payment gateway saves time, reduces risk, and ensures your income goes directly to your account. Without it, you cannot scale.”