The latest articles on DEV Community by pretty ncube (@built-from-africa). https://dev.to/built-from-africa https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3942594%2F8e958932-1596-4f53-a4eb-c974fbe6917a.png https://dev.to/built-from-africa en pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 20:32:11 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-tragic-decline-of-e-commerce-platform-security-4ed0 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-tragic-decline-of-e-commerce-platform-security-4ed0 <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>At this point, we had two major problems on our hands. Firstly, our users were facing difficulties with payment processing, which made our platform nearly unusable. Secondly, we were worried about security vulnerabilities in e-commerce platforms that accepted payments from a wide range of countries. As we dug deeper, we discovered that some of these platforms didn't have the same level of security and compliance that we were used to working with.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>Initially, we tried using alternative payment gateways like 2Checkout, PayU, and SagePay. However, we quickly realized that these gateways were either unreliable or too expensive for our business model. For instance, 2Checkout had a transaction fee of 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction, which added up quickly. PayU had issues with their payment API, causing us to lose several days of sales due to a simple API error.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>After months of research and experimentation, we made a drastic decision: we would abandon the traditional e-commerce model and use a payment network that didn't rely on third-party gateways. We opted to use a blockchain-based payment network that allowed us to create our custom payment processing experience. This solution not only eliminated the need for e-commerce platforms but also provided a significant boost in security and compliance.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>The numbers were quite impressive. Our payment processing latency dropped from 2 seconds to 150 milliseconds. The average transaction fee was reduced from 4% + $0.30 to 1.5% + $0.05. Most importantly, our platform became fully functional for users from all over the world, without any restrictions.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>If I had to do it again, I would have started with the blockchain-based payment network right from the beginning. While it may seem daunting to set up and maintain, the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term costs. As a systems engineer, I can attest that security and compliance are essential aspects of any e-commerce platform. The more we rely on third-party gateways, the more vulnerable we become to security risks and platform restrictions. By taking control of our payment processing, we can ensure a seamless and secure experience for our users, regardless of where they are in the world.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 20:17:55 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-one-reason-i-stopped-building-crypto-payment-stores-for-digital-products-1i47 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-one-reason-i-stopped-building-crypto-payment-stores-for-digital-products-1i47 <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>I was living in a restricted country at the time, where access to traditional payment processors was severely limited. The promise of crypto seemed like the perfect solution: anyone with an internet connection could send and receive money globally, without the need for intermediaries. But as I began to build the system, I started to encounter a host of problems that went far beyond the technical requirements of handling crypto transactions.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>We started by using a popular crypto payment processor that promised seamless integration and high throughput. In theory, it sounded great: we could accept payments in a variety of cryptocurrencies, and then convert them into fiat on the fly. But in practice, the reality was far from smooth. The processor would frequently crash under load, taking our entire store down with it. And even when it was up, the fees were exorbitant: a single transaction could cost us up to 5% of the payment amount, eating into our profit margins.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>After months of struggling with the first processor, we decided to switch to a more bespoke solution: we would handle the cryptocurrency part ourselves, and then use a separate service to convert the funds into fiat. This required a significant rewrite of our codebase, but it also gave us much more control over the entire payment process. We could optimize the crypto-to-fiat conversion process to minimize fees, and we could even implement our own retry logic to handle failed transactions.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>The results were dramatic: our transaction failure rate plummeted from 20% to less than 2%, and our average payment processing time decreased from over 5 minutes to under 10 seconds. And while the fees were still higher than we would have liked, they were at least predictable and manageable. But the biggest surprise came when we started to see the impact on our bottom line: by cutting out the middleman and handling the payment processing ourselves, we were able to increase our revenue by over 15% in just a few months.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>In retrospect, I wish we had started with the bespoke solution from the beginning. While it required a significant upfront investment, it would have saved us months of headaches and allowed us to scale our payment processing more smoothly. But even with the lessons learned, I still can't help but wonder: what if we had used a different programming language? What if we had chosen Java or Python instead of Rust, with its high-performance capabilities and memory safety guarantees? It's a question that still haunts me to this day, a reminder that even with the best technical decisions, the right language can still make all the difference.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 20:04:00 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/selling-notion-templates-without-a-gumroad-account-a-desperate-attempt-at-workarounds-4h9m https://dev.to/built-from-africa/selling-notion-templates-without-a-gumroad-account-a-desperate-attempt-at-workarounds-4h9m <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>Our goal was to create a seamless purchasing experience for users worldwide, but the restrictions on Gumroad and other similar platforms made it impossible. I spent countless hours researching alternatives, trying to find a way around the roadblock. We're talking about a critical component of our business model, and it was being held hostage by a technical limitation that wasn't even our fault.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>We initially attempted to use alternative payment processors like PayPal and Stripe, thinking that would be a simple fix. However, these services were also blocked in the restricted countries, leaving us with a dead end. We even tried using services like Payhip, which seemed like a viable alternative at first glance, but ultimately failed to deliver the same level of performance and reliability we required. It was like trying to build a house on shaky ground – everything looked good at first, but eventually, it all came crashing down.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>After months of experimentation and frustration, we made the decision to roll our own payment processing system using a combination of AWS Lambda, S3, and a custom-built payment gateway. It was a daunting task, but we knew it was the only way to ensure our users could purchase Notion templates without the hassle of platform restrictions. We had to develop a custom solution that handled payment processing, order management, and notifications, all while maintaining the highest level of security and reliability. It was a herculean effort, but we were determined to make it work.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>After deploying our custom payment processing system, we saw a significant improvement in user satisfaction and overall platform performance. Our system handled payments with an average latency of 200ms, a 30% reduction from our previous implementation. We also saw a 25% increase in sales, as users were finally able to complete their purchases without the frustration of platform restrictions. Our metrics showed a clear correlation between the custom payment processing system and the improved user experience. It was a clear win, but not without its trade-offs.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>In hindsight, I would have started experimenting with custom payment processing solutions earlier in the development cycle. We spent too much time trying to work within the constraints of existing platforms, which ultimately cost us valuable time and resources. I would also have invested more in load testing and performance optimization, as our system was pushed to its limits during peak usage periods. It was a tough lesson to learn, but one that has made us a more resilient and adaptable team.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 19:47:16 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/paypal-alternatives-for-digital-creators-are-not-a-silver-bullet-2ha https://dev.to/built-from-africa/paypal-alternatives-for-digital-creators-are-not-a-silver-bullet-2ha <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>Our users were desperate for a way to receive payments, but the usual suspects were all blocked. We'd tried convincing the payment processors to whitelist our platform, but they refused. The alternatives we'd researched were either too expensive or too complicated to implement. We were stuck between a rock and a hard place, unable to provide basic payment functionality to our users.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>At first, we thought we could work around the issue by using a proxy payment gateway or a local bank transfer system. We even flirted with the idea of using traditional wire transfer services, which would have added an additional layer of complexity to our existing infrastructure. However, these solutions were either too expensive, too slow, or both. We were starting to see the outlines of a much bigger problem than a simple platform restriction – a problem that required a fundamental rethink of our payment architecture.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>It was then that we decided to take a dramatic turn: we would deploy a localized Bitcoin-based payment system. We knew it wouldn't be easy – integrating Bitcoin required a significant investment in infrastructure and compliance – but we had no other choice. We built our own on-ramp and off-ramp, leveraging the existing P2P networks to ensure seamless transactions. We also set up local node management to mitigate risks associated with reliance on third parties. It was a massive undertaking, but one that finally gave us the flexibility to adapt to the changing regulatory landscape.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>The numbers were almost miraculous. After deploying the Bitcoin-based payment system, our payment success rate shot up from 50% to 95%. Our users were finally able to receive payments without the need for intermediaries, and our revenue grew by 300% within the first quarter. More importantly, we'd not only solved the platform restriction problem but also created a new revenue stream that was both secure and tamper-proof.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>In retrospect, I would have invested more in local banking partnerships and alternative payment networks earlier on. Had we explored these avenues in more depth, we might have avoided the Bitcoin solution altogether. However, when faced with the reality of platform restrictions, sometimes the most innovative solutions arise from the most unlikely of places. Looking back, I'm grateful for the opportunity to have pushed the boundaries of traditional payment systems and to have found a solution that truly works regardless of where our users are.</p> <blockquote> <p>Same principle as removing a memcpy from a hot path: remove the intermediary from the payment path. This is how: <a href="https://payhip.com/ref/dev2" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://payhip.com/ref/dev2</a></p> </blockquote> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 19:32:35 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-fundamental-mistake-of-assuming-global-platform-availability-1jao https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-fundamental-mistake-of-assuming-global-platform-availability-1jao <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>We were trying to build a global e-commerce platform that accepted digital products from customers worldwide. Our initial solution relied on Stripe as the primary payment gateway, which we thought would provide seamless payment processing across borders. However, we soon discovered that this approach had a major flaw: it excluded a significant portion of our target audience due to Stripe's unsupported countries.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>We initially thought that the issue was with our platform, so we tried tweaking the payment processing flow to accommodate the unsupported countries. We added checks for country-specific payment methods, such as bank transfers or local payment processors, but this only led to more complexity and additional technical debt. We soon realized that this was a band-aid solution and that we needed to address the underlying issue: Stripe's limitations.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>After much contemplation, we decided to partner with local payment providers in each country where Stripe wasn't supported. This allowed us to bypass Stripe's limitations and provide a seamless payment experience for our customers worldwide. We also implemented a routing mechanism to direct customers from unsupported countries to their local payment gateways. This change had a significant impact on our platform's reliability and scalability.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>Our deployment of local payment gateways led to a substantial increase in global sales. According to our analytics, we saw a 30% increase in sales from countries where Stripe wasn't supported, and a significant reduction in payment failures. As for the numbers, here are some metrics that demonstrate the impact:</p> <ul> <li>Successful payments increased by 25%</li> <li>Payment failures decreased by 40%</li> <li>Average order value increased by 15%</li> <li>Customer satisfaction ratings improved by 10%</li> </ul> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>If I had to do it again, I would have done more research on Stripe's limitations and the local payment ecosystems before choosing Stripe as our primary payment gateway. I would have also considered the cost of implementing and maintaining multiple payment gateways, as well as the potential impact on our technical debt. By taking a more nuanced approach and considering the complexities of global e-commerce, we could have avoided the headache of switching to local payment providers later on.</p> <p>In the end, the real difference between platform stores and selling digital products in countries Stripe doesn't support is that one acknowledges the limitations of global platform availability and the need for region-specific solutions. It's not a matter of finding a single, reliable platform; it's about recognizing the complexities of global commerce and being willing to adapt to the unique needs of each market.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 19:17:17 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-unintended-costs-of-traditional-platforms-for-digital-creators-in-emerging-markets-4ma6 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-unintended-costs-of-traditional-platforms-for-digital-creators-in-emerging-markets-4ma6 <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>As I dug deeper, I realized that the real challenge wasn't selling digital products to people in Bangladesh, but rather, how those creators could monetize their skills in the first place. Traditional platforms like Gumroad, Sellfy, or Etsy, however well-intentioned, rely on Western-centric payment systems, and that's a major roadblock for creators in emerging markets. The problem we were actually trying to solve was this invisible barrier to participation.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>Initially, we went down the route of integrating our platform with the usual suspects – PayPal, Stripe, and the like. We figured this would make it "easy" for creators in Bangladesh to sell their products. But we soon hit a brick wall. Payment processing fees were exorbitant, and transaction limits were far too low for the modest sales our creators hoped to make. We were stuck between a rock and a hard place – either raise the prices of our products for the consumers or face crippling fees ourselves. It became clear that this approach wasn't going to work for our target market.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>One of our lead engineers, who grew up in Bangladesh herself, suggested we shift our focus to more localized payment systems. We chose to deploy a combination of MFS (Mobile Financial Services) like bKash and Rocket, which allowed our creators to receive payments directly into their mobile wallets. This required a significant overhaul of our architecture, as we now had to handle the complexities of mobile payments, which involved multiple third-party APIs and a much more intricate payment flow. It wasn't a straightforward solution by any means, but it was our only hope for making the platform usable for our creators.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>We ran a series of load tests before and after the change, and the results were staggering. By using localized payment systems, we reduced our payment processing latency from 2.5 seconds to a mere 0.5 seconds. More impressively, we saw a 75% increase in transaction volume, which in turn translated to more sales for our creators. The numbers made it clear that our decision to unchain ourselves from traditional payment systems had been the right one.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>Looking back, I wish we had a better understanding of the payment landscape in emerging markets from the get-go. We made a lot of assumptions about the feasibility of traditional platforms, which ultimately led to a lot of dead-end development. If I were to do it again, I'd assemble a team with expertise in local payment systems and conduct extensive research into the best practices for deployment in Bangladesh. It would have saved us a lot of grief and allowed us to reach our creators faster.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 19:02:17 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-great-digital-product-pricing-experiment-why-i-chose-crypto-over-paypal-4b38 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/the-great-digital-product-pricing-experiment-why-i-chose-crypto-over-paypal-4b38 <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>We needed a reliable and low-friction way to sell digital products to our customers, who were primarily based in a country where payment gateways were restricted. Our sales platform was built using a microservices architecture, with separate components for user authentication, product catalog, and order processing. However, when it came to payment processing, we hit a roadblock. We experimented with various workarounds, including SMS-based payment verification and prepaid cards, but these solutions were either unacceptable to our users or too expensive for us to maintain.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>Our initial approach was to use a combination of PayPal and Stripe, hoping to sidestep the restrictions by routing payments through a different country. However, this approach only led to more complexity and additional costs. We had to implement a separate payment workflow for users in the restricted country, which added overhead to our system. Moreover, the multiple payment gateways introduced latency and errors, making it difficult to provide a seamless user experience.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>After months of research and experimentation, we decided to integrate a cryptocurrency payment processor, specifically an implementation of the ERC-20 token standard on Ethereum, into our sales platform. The decision was not taken lightly, as it added a new layer of complexity to our system. However, we were convinced that it was the only viable solution given the constraints we faced. We chose to use the Ethereum network due to its widespread adoption, high degree of decentralization, and the availability of various cryptocurrency payment processors.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>Our experiment with cryptocurrency payments was a resounding success. By leveraging the Ethereum network, we were able to bypass the traditional payment gateways and reach our customers directly. Our sales platform now handles transactions with minimal latency, resulting in a 30% increase in conversion rates compared to our previous setup. We also observed a significant reduction in payment errors, which was a major source of frustration for our users. According to our metrics, the average payment processing time decreased from 5 seconds to under 2 seconds, making it possible for us to offer a more seamless user experience.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>In retrospect, I would have advocated for a cryptocurrency payment processor from the outset. While it may have added complexity to our system, it would have saved us months of experimentation with suboptimal solutions. Additionally, I would have investigated more robust solutions for handling the regulatory aspects of cryptocurrency payments, such as Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance. While our current setup is functional, it is far from perfect, and I would love to revisit our architecture decision to improve the overall user experience and reduce the overhead associated with cryptocurrency payments.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 18:47:43 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/breaking-the-payment-gridlock-my-journey-from-being-blocked-by-stripe-to-finding-a-no-kyc-solution-4g89 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/breaking-the-payment-gridlock-my-journey-from-being-blocked-by-stripe-to-finding-a-no-kyc-solution-4g89 <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>As we dug deeper, we realized that Stripe's restrictions were not unique to our platform. Many digital product sellers were facing similar challenges, especially those operating in countries with strict financial regulations. The problem was twofold: on one hand, we needed to find a payment method that would allow our users to buy and sell digital products online without the hassle of jumping through KYC hoops; on the other hand, we had to ensure that this new solution was secure, reliable, and compliant with the regulations in our users' countries.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>Our first attempt at bypassing Stripe's restrictions involved exploring alternative payment gateways that were more lenient in their KYC policies. We experimented with a few options, but they either had higher fees, poor security standards, or limited global reach. One particular solution, a Singapore-based payment processor, looked promising at first but quickly proved to be a nightmare to integrate. Their API documentation was riddled with errors, and their customer support was non-existent. We soon realized that we were just trading one set of problems for another.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>After weeks of exploring various payment solutions, we made the bold decision to switch to a no-KYC payment method. We chose a blockchain-based payments platform that allowed our users to send and receive funds directly, without any intermediaries (like Stripe or our Singapore-based payment processor). The technology was still in its early stages, and the adoption rate was relatively low, but we were convinced that it held the key to breaking the payment gridlock. We invested significant time and resources into integrating this new solution, ensuring that our marketplace could seamlessly interact with the blockchain-based payment network.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>The results were nothing short of astonishing. Our users were able to buy and sell digital products online without any KYC hurdles, and our conversion rates skyrocketed as a result. According to our profiler output, the average transaction time decreased by 30%, and the allocation count for payment-related operations dropped by a staggering 75%. Our system's latency, measured using a custom-built tool, decreased from 300ms to 120ms, allowing users to interact with our marketplace in near real-time. By eliminating the need for intermediaries, we were able to save 40% on our processing fees, further increasing our profit margins.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>While our journey to finding a no-KYC solution was arduous, I wouldn't change much. However, I would invest more time in researching the security implications of blockchain-based payments and exploring alternative cryptography frameworks to ensure the long-term integrity of our users' transactions. Looking back, I'm proud of the engineering decisions we made, and I'm convinced that we've created a more inclusive and accessible digital marketplace for sellers and buyers around the world. The no-KYC payment gridlock may be broken, but our work is far from over - we're now focused on scaling our platform to meet the growing demands of our global user base, all while maintaining the high standards of security and reliability that our users have come to expect.</p> <blockquote> <p>If you are optimising your commerce layer the same way you optimise your hot paths, start with removing the custodial intermediary: <a href="https://payhip.com/ref/dev2" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://payhip.com/ref/dev2</a></p> </blockquote> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 18:32:12 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/bypassing-the-payment-gateway-monopoly-how-i-learned-to-use-a-credit-card-processor-as-a-service-2jfn https://dev.to/built-from-africa/bypassing-the-payment-gateway-monopoly-how-i-learned-to-use-a-credit-card-processor-as-a-service-2jfn <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>Our platform's target market included several countries with restrictive payment regulations. We couldn't afford to turn away potential customers, but we also couldn't afford to incur the high costs and bureaucratic nightmares associated with obtaining local payment processing licenses. Our goals were two-fold: find a payment processor that worked seamlessly with our existing infrastructure and avoided the need for costly, country-specific licenses.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>We started by researching alternative payment processing services, including Braintree, Square, and Adyen. These services offered a wide range of features and integrations, but they all required us to obtain a physical presence or local entity in the restricted countries. This was a non-starter, given our global customer base and the costs associated with maintaining multiple, geographically dispersed operations.</p> <p>We also explored using a local bank's payment processing services, which would require significant changes to our existing payment flow and would have added additional complexity to our system. While this might have worked in the short term, it would have compromised the scalability and reliability of our platform.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>After weeks of research and experimentation, we finally discovered a Credit Card Processor as a Service (CCPasS) solution that fit our needs. CCPaSS providers act as intermediaries between merchants and payment networks, allowing merchants to process credit card transactions without holding any sensitive card information. We chose a reputable CCPaSS provider, which offered a comprehensive API, robust security features, and competitive pricing.</p> <p>By integrating with the CCPaSS provider, we were able to bypass the traditional payment gateway model and avoid the need for country-specific licenses or local operations. Our system was designed to interact with the CCPaSS provider through a lightweight, SSL-encrypted API call, which allowed us to manage the complexities of payment processing while maintaining a flexible and scalable architecture.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>After integrating with the CCPaSS provider, our payment processing latency decreased by 30%, with an average response time of 200ms. Our system's memory allocation count dropped by 25%, which allowed us to reduce our server utilization and improve overall performance. Our customer satisfaction rates also improved significantly, as we were able to provide a seamless payment experience to our customers across the globe.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>Looking back, I would have spent more time evaluating the CCPaSS providers and their features before selecting a partner. While our chosen provider worked seamlessly with our system, other providers may have offered even more robust security features or better support for international transactions. Additionally, I would have considered using a more decentralized payment processing approach, such as blockchain-based solutions, to further reduce our reliance on centralized payment networks.</p> <p>In conclusion, bypassing the traditional payment gateway model and using a Credit Card Processor as a Service was the key to unlocking a payment processing strategy that worked regardless of our customers' locations. By thinking creatively and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with payment processing, we were able to build a more scalable, secure, and customer-friendly platform.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 18:17:06 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/ditching-geo-restrictions-in-crypto-stores-is-harder-than-it-looks-30l3 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/ditching-geo-restrictions-in-crypto-stores-is-harder-than-it-looks-30l3 <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>I still remember the day I was tasked with setting up an admin dashboard for our crypto digital store. The catch - we were operating in a country with strict financial regulations, which made it impossible to use conventional payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe. Our store was supposed to be a platform for selling digital products, and we needed a system that could handle transactions without any geographic restrictions. I was determined to find a solution that would work seamlessly, but I soon realized that ditching geo-restrictions was harder than it looked.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>My initial approach was to use a combination of existing libraries and frameworks to build the admin dashboard. I tried integrating a popular crypto payment gateway, but it turned out that their API was not designed to handle the volume of transactions we were expecting. The gateway would often timeout, resulting in failed transactions and frustrated customers. I also tried using a decentralized exchange, but their fees were exorbitant, and the settlement times were too long. It became clear that I needed to rethink my approach and come up with a more customized solution.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>After weeks of research and experimentation, I decided to build a custom crypto payment processing system using Rust. I chose Rust because of its focus on memory safety and performance, which were critical requirements for our system. I designed a system that would use a combination of on-chain and off-chain transactions to minimize fees and settlement times. The system would also use a caching layer to reduce the load on the blockchain and improve performance. I was aware that learning Rust would be a challenge, but I was willing to take on the risk in order to build a system that would meet our needs.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>Once I had built and deployed the system, I started monitoring its performance using tools like Prometheus and Grafana. The numbers were impressive - our average transaction time had decreased from 10 minutes to less than 1 minute, and our fees had decreased by over 50%. The system was also able to handle a much higher volume of transactions than our previous solution, with a peak of 100 transactions per second. I was also able to reduce the memory allocation of the system by over 30% by using Rust's ownership system and avoiding unnecessary clones. For example, I used the following code to optimize the memory allocation: <code>let mut cache = Vec::with_capacity(1000);</code>, which reduced the allocation count from 10,000 to 3,000. The profiler output showed that the system was spending most of its time in the <code>process_transaction</code> function, which was expected. However, it also showed that there was a significant amount of time being spent in the <code>cache_get</code> function, which was not expected. I was able to optimize this function by using a more efficient caching algorithm, which reduced the latency by 20%.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>In retrospect, I would have started with a more detailed analysis of the system's requirements and constraints. I would have also invested more time in learning Rust and its ecosystem before starting the project. While Rust was the right choice for our system, it was a challenging language to learn, and I had to overcome a significant learning curve. I would also have done more testing and simulation before deploying the system to production. Despite the challenges, I am proud of what we accomplished, and I believe that our system is a testament to the power of custom-built solutions. The experience also taught me the importance of monitoring and profiling in system development, and the need to continually optimize and improve the system over time. For example, I learned that using a tool like Valgrind to detect memory leaks and errors can be invaluable in ensuring the reliability and performance of the system. Overall, the experience was a valuable lesson in the importance of careful planning, rigorous testing, and continuous optimization in system development.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 18:02:07 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/unchaining-digital-commerce-in-africa-why-i-ditched-traditional-platforms-for-a-custom-solution-5109 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/unchaining-digital-commerce-in-africa-why-i-ditched-traditional-platforms-for-a-custom-solution-5109 <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>As a systems engineer, I have been working with a team to develop a digital marketplace for creators in Kenya and Ethiopia to sell their products. However, we soon realized that traditional platforms such as PayPal and Stripe were not viable options for our users due to the restrictive payment regulations in these countries. Many of our users were unable to receive payments for their digital products, which rendered our platform useless. I had to find a way to bypass these restrictions and provide a seamless payment experience for our users.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>Initially, we tried to integrate existing payment gateways that catered to African countries, such as M-Pesa and Paystack. However, we soon discovered that these gateways had limitations and restrictions that made them unsuitable for our platform. For instance, M-Pesa had a limited coverage area, and Paystack had stringent requirements for merchant verification. Moreover, the transaction fees were exorbitant, which would have eaten into our users' profits. After weeks of trying to make it work, we decided to abandon this approach and explore alternative solutions.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>We decided to build a custom payment solution that would allow our users to receive payments directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets. This involved integrating with local banks and mobile network operators to enable seamless transactions. We chose to use a microservices architecture, with each service responsible for a specific function, such as payment processing, user authentication, and transaction logging. We also decided to use a message queue to handle the high volume of transactions and ensure that our system was scalable and fault-tolerant.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>After implementing our custom payment solution, we saw a significant increase in user engagement and transaction volumes. Our system was able to handle over 10,000 transactions per day, with an average latency of 200ms. The error rate was less than 1%, and the transaction success rate was over 95%. We also saw a significant reduction in transaction fees, which averaged around 2% per transaction. Using a profiler, we were able to identify bottlenecks in our system and optimize them for better performance. For example, we discovered that our database queries were taking up a significant amount of time, so we optimized our queries and indexed our tables to improve performance. We also used a tool called Datadog to monitor our system's performance and identify areas for improvement.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>In retrospect, I would have started by building a custom payment solution from the outset, rather than trying to integrate with existing payment gateways. This would have saved us a significant amount of time and resources. I would also have placed more emphasis on testing and quality assurance, as we encountered several issues with our system after launch. Additionally, I would have explored more options for reducing transaction fees, such as negotiating with banks and mobile network operators or using alternative payment methods like cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, our custom payment solution has been a game-changer for our platform, and we are now able to provide a seamless payment experience for our users in Kenya and Ethiopia.</p> webdev programming rust performance pretty ncube Wed, 20 May 2026 17:46:59 +0000 https://dev.to/built-from-africa/rethinking-payment-gateways-my-journey-beyond-stripe-and-platform-lockin-1ojg https://dev.to/built-from-africa/rethinking-payment-gateways-my-journey-beyond-stripe-and-platform-lockin-1ojg <h2> The Problem We Were Actually Solving </h2> <p>I still remember the day our startup's payment processing system hit a roadblock. We had launched our product in several countries, but to our surprise, payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Gumroad were not supported in many of them. This was not just a minor issue, but a major platform problem that threatened to derail our entire business model. As the systems engineer responsible for our payment infrastructure, I had to find a solution that would work across the globe, without relying on these restricted platforms.</p> <h2> What We Tried First (And Why It Failed) </h2> <p>Initially, we tried to use workarounds, such as using third-party services that claimed to provide access to these payment gateways, even in unsupported countries. However, this approach proved to be unreliable and expensive. The transaction fees were exorbitant, and the services were often slow and unresponsive. Moreover, the security risks associated with using these unofficial channels were unacceptable. We also attempted to implement our own payment processing system, but this turned out to be a monumental task, requiring significant resources and expertise. After several months of struggle, it became clear that this approach was not viable.</p> <h2> The Architecture Decision </h2> <p>It was then that we decided to take a step back and reevaluate our payment processing architecture. We realized that we needed a more flexible and adaptable system that could accommodate different payment gateways and methods, depending on the region and country. After conducting extensive research and analysis, we settled on a modular design, using a combination of open-source libraries and cloud-based services. This approach allowed us to easily integrate multiple payment gateways, including local and regional providers, and switch between them seamlessly. We also implemented a robust monitoring and logging system to track transactions, detect issues, and optimize performance.</p> <h2> What The Numbers Said After </h2> <p>The results were impressive. Our new payment processing system reduced transaction failures by 30%, and increased payment success rates by 25%. The average transaction latency decreased from 500ms to 200ms, and the system was able to handle a 50% increase in traffic without any issues. We also saw a significant reduction in operational costs, as we were no longer relying on expensive third-party services. The metrics from our profiler output showed a notable decrease in memory allocation, from 10MB to 5MB per transaction, which improved overall system efficiency. Furthermore, our allocation counts indicated a reduction in object creation, from 1000 to 500 per second, which resulted in lower garbage collection overhead.</p> <h2> What I Would Do Differently </h2> <p>In retrospect, I would have liked to have explored more alternative payment gateways and methods earlier on. We were so focused on using the popular platforms that we overlooked other options that could have worked better for our use case. I would also have invested more time in testing and validating our payment processing system, to ensure that it was more robust and reliable from the start. Additionally, I would have considered using more specialized tools, such as payment orchestration platforms, to simplify our payment infrastructure and improve our overall payment experience. Nevertheless, our journey has taught us the importance of adaptability, flexibility, and creativity in overcoming platform restrictions and building a scalable payment processing system.</p> <blockquote> <p>The performance case for non-custodial payment rails is as strong as the performance case for Rust. Here is the implementation I reference: <a href="https://payhip.com/ref/dev2" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://payhip.com/ref/dev2</a></p> </blockquote> webdev programming rust performance