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South African payments startup SnapScan is today announcing its first major update since its QR code payments feature was popularised in 2013. The new payment channel, called SnapBeacons, is meant to provide users a frictionless alternative solution to pay for stuff. Instead of just being able to pay by scanning a QR code, SnapScan customers can now simply tap a button in the app to initiate the transaction via Bluetooth. A message on the customer’s phone will alert them when the option is available.

South African payments startup SnapScan is today announcing its first major update since its QR code payments feature was popularised in 2013. The new payment channel, called SnapBeacons, is meant to provide users a frictionless alternative solution to pay for stuff.

Instead of just being able to pay by scanning a QR code, SnapScan customers can now simply tap a button in the app to initiate the transaction via Bluetooth.

A free app available for any smartphone, SnapScan works almost like a pocket ATM linked to the user’s debit or credit card account. Instead of handing over a card, customers scan a unique SnapScan logo posted at the cash register with their camera-enabled phone. They enter the amount, type in a pin code (or use touch ID) and a few seconds later the vendor’s phone chimes with a confirmation sent by SMS. It’s quick, painless, and entirely safe, says Ehlers. SnapScan is backed by Standard Bank, one of South Africa’s biggest banks, and uses cutting-edge fraud protection technology. More to the point, he notes, it means that vendors never have access to actual credit card details. “That means no one is noting down your number so he can go shopping later,” says Ehlers.

It’s been so long since 30-year-old Cape Town entrepreneur Kobus Ehlers last used his wallet that he’s not even sure where it is. “My car maybe?” he says as he reflexively scans the cheerfully decorated offices of his startup, SnapScan. When it’s pointed out that leaving a wallet in a car in a city infamous for break-ins and carjackings may not be a good idea, he shrugs. He probably doesn’t even have the equivalent of five dollars in it, he says. “I never use cash. Credit cards are over. There are much better ways to pay for things.”As the co-founder of one of South Africa’s most successful electronic payments apps, Ehlers is of course expected to use his own product. But the real reason he isn’t worried about his wallet is because Cape Town is a city seduced by the idea of cashless and cardless transactions, in no small part because of his company’s success. “You can literally wake up in the morning, buy a cup of coffee, go to your dentist, have lunch, pay your bills, take a taxi, go out for dinner, and donate to your favorite cause without using cash or a card,” says Ehlers. “And in none of that is there any risk of your card details getting stolen, or you getting mugged for your cash.”

It’s been so long since 30-year-old Cape Town entrepreneur Kobus Ehlers last used his wallet that he’s not even sure where it is. “My car maybe?” he says as he reflexively scans the cheerfully decorated offices of his startup, SnapScan. When it’s pointed out that leaving a wallet in a car in a city infamous for break-ins and carjackings may not be a good idea, he shrugs. He probably doesn’t even have the equivalent of five dollars in it, he says. “I never use cash. Credit cards are over. There are much better ways to pay for things.”As the co-founder of one of South Africa’s most successful electronic payments apps, Ehlers is of course expected to use his own product. But the real reason he isn’t worried about his wallet is because Cape Town is a city seduced by the idea of cashless and cardless transactions, in no small part because of his company’s success. “You can literally wake up in the morning, buy a cup of coffee, go to your dentist, have lunch, pay your bills, take a taxi, go out for dinner, and donate to your favorite cause without using cash or a card,” says Ehlers. “And in none of that is there any risk of your card details getting stolen, or you getting mugged for your cash.”

The Smartel Money customers and services include retail banking, individuals, insurance agents, retail grocery, retail clothing, retail cell phone services and utility services among others. These include checkout services such as the Smartel Money Point of sales system (sPOS); the Smartel Money Mobile point of sales systems (smPOS). These systems have access to the Smartel Money central engine for processing payments. “Businesses owners can finally give true convenience to customers by using My Wallet as a contactless payment option. They can also take advantage of our free business tools which include, point of sale, human resource management, and customer relationship management,” Mr Nchai said.

The overall benefits for businesses and customers include: Safety and security: Customers can pay via their mobile phone and retailers can rest assured knowing that extensive security measures are in place. Speed: It’s fast, as customers simply need to scan the display code at a till point. Convenience: There is no need to carry cash around and paying via SnapScan offers a frictionless experience. Cashless: As customers won’t be using cash, it is easier for businesses to authenticate and formalise transactions. SnapScan is a mobile payments solution with a variety of payment options available for retailers.

The overall benefits for businesses and customers include: Safety and security: Customers can pay via their mobile phone and retailers can rest assured knowing that extensive security measures are in place. Speed: It’s fast, as customers simply need to scan the display code at a till point. Convenience: There is no need to carry cash around and paying via SnapScan offers a frictionless experience. Cashless: As customers won’t be using cash, it is easier for businesses to authenticate and formalise transactions. SnapScan is a mobile payments solution with a variety of payment options available for retailers.

SnapScan offers quick, easy, and secure mobile payment solutions to retailers so their customers can enjoy the convenience of paying on the fly. Mobile payments can also mean that staff spend less time processing payments, as SnapScan can be integrated with a variety of leading point-of-sale systems. Businesses that offer delivery services can give their drivers a lanyard with a SnapCode (unique QR code) so customers can pay for goods or services during delivery. Retailers that have an online store can use SnapScan to offer a streamlined and consistent experience to their customers across multiple platforms.

SnapScan wants to see a cashless, frictionless society. For the customer, the app poses an alternative to cash and credit cards because it’s faster. Customers don’t need to wait in a queue, or for the PoS terminal to finish processing their payment. You can simply take a picture of the merchant’s unique QR code, enter the amount, and they’ll be notified either via SMS or their PoS system. The merchant can set up the system in five minutes (SnapScan claims) with no hardware required other than a mobile phone. This means that any person selling apples on the street to a department store can integrate SnapScan. There are also fewer costs involved compared to setting up a credit card terminal, the only charge being a 3% transaction fee. Secondly, it’s meant to be more secure. With SnapScan’s method of payment, the merchant never has to handle your details or card. The app user’s card details are stored on their smartphones and protected with their personal PIN codes.

This week, SnapScan rolled its app out to The Big Issue vendors across South Africa, the non-profit magazine that’s usually sold at intersections in urban areas. People with the app can now purchase the latest issue by simply taking a photo of a QR code and typing in the amount they want to pay. There’s no hassle of fiddling for your wallet or looking for change lying around in the car before the light turns green.

ezoMoney provides a digital solution to informal savings schemes, allowing savings groups and individuals via their digital savings platform. BezoMoney has a wallet for each of the individuals who save with them. The digital savings platform provides access to loans and helps those saving with them create a comprehensive savings history to ensure transparency.  Bezo Money also provides investments, investment payment options, insurance, group purchase, and pensions services.

Undoubtedly, Ghana’s drive towards a cashless economy cannot be achieved without Financial Technology — FinTech. We’ve been pushed to an era where most people use mobile money services in the country, and have seen the birth of FinTech companies who render financial services and also provide foreign remittance services from countries across the world.

The deal will see the pair work on the development of new products and services supporting digital payment for customers of Safaricom’s M-Pesa micro-finance and payments platform. The partnership will cover over 24 million M-Pesa customers, more than 173,000 M-Pesa merchants from Safaricom and more than 61 million merchants on Visa’s network. “This partnership will play an important role in delivering even more value to our customers,” says Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom.

Customers wanting a magazine who have no cash on them can download a free app [many people in South Africa use SnapScan daily for other transactions so already have the app], that allows them to scan the vendor’s QR code to pay for the magazine.

​​Stellenbosch University (SU) is the first university in South Africa to make use of the SnapScan in-app payment solutions for payments on its campuses, so that students no longer have to carry cash with them for certain payments.

SnapScap is a mobile application that enables cashless payments. Initially two of SnapScan's in-app payment mechanisms will be available for students to do bill payments for their student fees, as well as for pre-paid internet and printer credits. These payments previously had to be made (in cash or with card) at the University's cashiers in the central administration building

Apart from SnapScan in-app payments, students also have an online option on the SU's website where they have the options of pre-paids (for internet, meals, washing, printing credits and rides) and bill payments (for student fees).

There are signs that South Africa’s transition to a cashless environment could happen quickly. Locally, QR code app-based payment services such as Zapper and SnapScan already have over 50 000 merchants across South Africa. In addition, Samsung Pay launched in August 2018.

Smartel Money LTD is an e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the modern ICT platforms as well as using the mobile and non-mobile platforms as well as using the freely downloaded applications. It is an internet based e-commerce payment system, which intends to be a payment processor for online vendors as well as click and brick businesses, auction sites, grocers and other commercial users, for which it charges a fee. The government of Lesotho has announced plans to reduce the handling of cash and replacing it with a digital payment system, in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Smartel Money is one of five mobile money issuers in the country. Their aim is to help businesses and individuals. They provide full business systems platforms, full personal systems of the use of mobile money.

Smartel Money LTD held a public awareness initiative last Friday, aimed at aiding businesses and the general public towards a cashless society.

Smartel Money LTD is an e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the modern ICT platforms as well as using the mobile and non-mobile platforms as well as using the freely downloaded applications. It is an internet based e-commerce payment system, which intends to be a payment processor for online vendors as well as click and brick businesses, auction sites, grocers and other commercial users, for which it charges a fee.

Yes! SnapScan is safe to use on multiple levels: The app requires a PIN to be entered before any transaction can be completed. This prevents anyone who has your phone from making transactions, as your PIN should be known only to you.  Your card details are also encrypted and stored safely and securely on your phone. Even if your phone is stolen, nobody will be able to see or access your card details.

SnapScan is a new innovative mobile payment App on a smartphone. It provides a cashless, card-less payment app that consumers can use at thousands of merchants across South Africa or to make donations to CANSA.  It can be used for customers of any bank in South Africa (not just Standard Bank).

WorldRemit is a leading digital cross-border payments business. We disrupted an industry previously dominated by offline legacy players by taking international money transfers online—making them safer, faster, and lower-cost. We currently send from 50 to 150 countries, operate in 6,500 money transfer corridors worldwide, and employ over 1,100 people globally.On the sending side WorldRemit is 100% digital (cashless), increasing convenience and enhancing security. For those receiving money, the company offers a wide range of options including bank deposit, cash collection, mobile airtime top-up, and mobile money.

Backed by Accel, TCV, and Leapfrog—WorldRemit’s headquarters are in London, United Kingdom with regional offices in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa, Somaliland, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Belgium.

Feeding into the Central Bank of Egypt’s grand plans of building a digital economy and advancing digital and financial inclusion, the partnership aims to increase use of digital payment solutions such as POS terminals and QR solutions, by leveraging Visa’s global network and Fawy’s on-ground, localised solutions.

Aujourd’hui, près de 19 millions de Kényans font un usage régulier de M-Pesa soit près de 70 % de la population adulte. Chaque seconde, environ 900 transactions sont réalisées par ce biais. Au total, M-Pesa voit transiter 68 % des transactions monétaires du pays, représentant en valeur 7 % des montants passant par l’ensemble des moyens de paiement du système bancaire et financier kényan, soit 25 Mds USD par an ou un peu plus du tiers du PIB du pays.

When it initially started, vendors would receive a voucher and redeem it at certain ATMs and received a pin code with that voucher. That became a bit of a problem as some vendors could not read and did not know how to operate the ATM machine so that was phased out. Vendors then had to bring a bank statement for their SnapScan accounts to be linked to their bank accounts. Those vendors who did not have a bank account had to collect their cash every second week. Problems did occur where customers paid short and vendors complained that the right amounts are not in or the money has been withdrawn but there was always a problem and results would show that the money was drawn. All issues were always resolved by SnapScan. And it became a pain with vendors not collecting their money on time and when they don’t keep the proof of their payments on their phones. Hence, I always have to liaise with SnapScan staff. Vendors getting their payments in their bank account is so much better.

When it initially started, vendors would receive a voucher and redeem it at certain ATMs and received a pin code with that voucher. That became a bit of a problem as some vendors could not read and did not know how to operate the ATM machine so that was phased out. Vendors then had to bring a bank statement for their SnapScan accounts to be linked to their bank accounts. Those vendors who did not have a bank account had to collect their cash every second week. Problems did occur where customers paid short and vendors complained that the right amounts are not in or the money has been withdrawn but there was always a problem and results would show that the money was drawn. All issues were always resolved by SnapScan. And it became a pain with vendors not collecting their money on time and when they don’t keep the proof of their payments on their phones. Hence, I always have to liaise with SnapScan staff. Vendors getting their payments in their bank account is so much better.

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Our scan to pay feature is definitely our most loved solution, but we're evolving into so much more because we can't stop making your lives easier. With SnapScan you can pay in a snap, without the fuss of handling cash, cards, or EFTs.

Fast paymentsViews like these account for the arrival of a number of different mobile payments options. SnapScan has garnered the most attention, but the sector also includes the likes of FlickPay, Zapper and GustPay.

SnapScan merchants receive a static QR [quick response] code - or SnapCode - identifier to display next to their tills.

"SnapScan does not charge shoppers any fees. Merchants pay a small transaction fee that is comparable or cheaper than using normal credit card facilities."

BelCash’s helloCash service could have 2-3 million users this year and 10 million by 2017 or 2018, the firm’s chief executive Vince Diop said, adding that BelCash would receive a fee for each transaction made.

BelCash’s helloCash service could have 2-3 million users this year and 10 million by 2017 or 2018, the firm’s chief executive Vince Diop said, adding that BelCash would receive a fee for each transaction made.

Netherlands-based BelCash is offering a technology called helloCash, while MOSS ICT, mainly owned by an Ireland-based firm, is rolling out M-Birr in the nation of 96 million people.In both cases, Ethiopian banks and institutions will offer the service to customers and hold the cash deposited, in line with government policy that bars foreign firms or banks from investing in the financial sector or the telecoms industry.