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If you look at mobile payments specifically, Africa is actually one of the leaders in this space.Kobus Ehlers, SnapScan, co-founderMeanwhile, Africa's smartphone market is expected to double over the following four years -- at the moment, South Africa is reportedly the biggest smartphone market in sub-Saharan Africa, with a 19% penetration.And as smartphones increase, the paying methods are also becoming smarter."If you look at mobile payments specifically, Africa is actually one of the leaders in this space," says Kobus Ehlers, co-founder of the SnapScan app. "SnapScan was developed in South Africa for the African market, so we try to find really local and relevant solutions and I think it's going to get a massive uptake," he adds.

Using your phone to pay for goods and services is nothing new in Africa, a continent where there are more than 720 million mobile phones. Services such as M-Pesa, the revolutionary Kenyan mobile payment system that allows people to bypass banks and pay bills, withdraw salaries and transfer cash electronically, have transformed the way people and business operate.

There are about 7.22 billion smart gadgets (including smartphones, tablets and phones) in the world, which are multiplying five times faster than the world’s population Facebook reported to have a total of 1,591 million monthly active users in the fourth quarter of 2015, out of which 823 million were mobile-only Top sites in the US recorded 56% of total traffic from mobile devices Around 1.5 billion smartphone users were recorded in 2014, which is estimated to grow to around 2.5 billion by the end of 2019 By 2020, 70% of the world’s population will own a smartphone, reported by Telegraph 68 million searches are done every hour on mobile devices across the globe, source More emails are opened on mobile devices than desktop 55% of total emails are accessed on mobile devices, according to an email analytics report Number of mobile email users are estimated to grow by 23% this year Emails on mobile phones reflected 26.7% of sales as compared to 20.9% on desktops, according to an email analytics report

In 2014, Standard Bank launched an innovative new app in conjunction with the start-up umbrella company FireID- SnapScan. This app allows its consumers in South Africa to pay for items via their smartphones at retailers who have registered for the app .

In 2014, Standard Bank launched an innovative new app in conjunction with the start-up umbrella company FireID- SnapScan. This app allows its consumers in South Africa to pay for items via their smartphones at retailers who have registered for the app . The idea behind this technology was to increase safety for consumers since this app allows them to leave their bank cards at home. By not having your credit card on you, the creators believe your money is safer.

For those of us who are already struggling with limited memory on our smartphones there is some consideration that needs to happen before we can commit to another app. Here are some pros and cons of SnapScan and my final verdict:

The app has since evolved and, today, SnapScan allows users to make quick and easy payments using their smartphones, thus eliminating the need to carry cash or cards.

In its infancy, SnapScan flourished in coffee shops and at weekend markets. The founding team had extensive experience in banking and mobile money, and they knew that payments for these merchants could be vastly improved

The mobile payment industry in Ethiopia is expected to record a CAGR of 18.7% to reach US$ 7,818.2 million by 2025. The mobile wallet payment segment in value terms increased at a CAGR of 18.3% during 2018-2025.

The mobile payment industry in Ethiopia is expected to record a CAGR of 18.7% to reach US$ 7,818.2 million by 2025. The mobile wallet payment segment in value terms increased at a CAGR of 18.3% during 2018-2025.

This report provides a comprehensive view on mobile payment / mobile wallet market size and growth dynamics, industry dynamics, retail spending, consumer attitude and behaviour, and competitive landscape in Ethiopia. The report focuses on data-centric analysis of mobile payment market dynamics to help companies understand business and investment opportunities along with risks. It details growth dynamics in 45+ market segments (600+ KPIs) across mobile commerce, mobile P2P transfer (domestic and international remittance), mobile lending, and a range of other payment avenues in Ethiopia.

SnapScan is more than just a smartphone app. It’s a contactless mobile payment solution that makes it easy and safe to pay and receive payments in a store, online, at home, and on the go. No need for cards, cash, or time-consuming EFTs – just simple payments in a snap!

SnapScan is more than just a smartphone app. It’s a contactless mobile payment solution that makes it easy and safe to pay and receive payments in a store, online, at home, and on the go. No need for cards, cash, or time-consuming EFTs – just simple payments in a snap!

SnapScan is more than just a smartphone app. It’s a contactless mobile payment solution that makes it easy and safe to pay and receive payments in a store, online, at home, and on the go. No need for cards, cash, or time-consuming EFTs

And today our technology does just that, by allowing merchants and operators to accept mobile payments from consumers without the need for a traditional bank account.

Coupled with the differing financial, legal, and operational processes across the MEA region is limited access to traditional banking infrastructure, with 63% (circa 1 billion) of the adult population unbanked. While this is a common trait in emerging markets, it does mean that traditional transactions based on credit and debit cards are not a realistic prospect for many consumers. However, with smartphone penetration growing apace, and with it the ability and desire to purchase goods and services through digital channels, there is an increasing need for alternative payment methods to support access and consumption.

And our team’s inclusion efforts don’t stop there. TPAY MOBILE employees have been volunteering and hosting financial literacy workshops with INJAZ Egypt, a non-profit organization empowering young people to own their economic success through partnering with businesses and educational institutions across the country.

Why choose WorldRemit?We're SimpleNo need to visit an agent. Send 70 currencies to 130 countries, from your smartphone or computerWe’re SafeWe use industry-leading technology that protects your money and guarantees it arrives safely every time.We're Fast90% of our transactions are completed in minutesWe’re Low-costSee our low fees and our best exchange rates up front, with no hidden costs

We're SimpleNo need to visit an agent. Send 70 currencies to 130 countries, from your smartphone or computerWe’re SafeWe use industry-leading technology that protects your money and guarantees it arrives safely every time.

“The digital nature of the product can be seen as exacerbating the usual challenges of ICT illiteracy. However, FarmDrive presents the record-keeping platform in different languages  – it’s now available in English and Kiswahili – via a simple SMS to increase the uptake of record-keeping among rural farmers. So farmers don’t have to have a smartphone,” Bosire says.“It also emerged during our pilot that farmers feel more empowered if they can their mobile phones for other activities apart from for calling, texting and mobile money. Their openness to  embracing new ways of using their simple mobile phones to solve challenges is what drives the culture shift from keeping non-organized farm records on paper or none at all  to digital record keeping,” she says.

No need to carry cash, wait for the card machine or enter your card details with every online purchase. With SnapScan you can use your smartphone to make payments, send money to friends and earn UCount rewards points. SnapScan is compatible with most bank cards, as well as the Standard Bank virtual card.

Safe Your card details are securely encrypted (we don't have access to them, nor does the shop you're buying from)

Easy Just download the app and link your cheque, credit or debit card (SnapScan works with any South African bank, and prominent international credit cards) Pay with your phone using SnapScan | Standard Bank Created with Sketch. Pay with your phone using SnapScan | Standard Bank Created with Sketch.

In order for your patients to make payments using SnapScan they will need to download the free SnapScan App (if they have not already done so).  The SnapScan App is available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry smartphones.  Note that, because the SnapScan user's credit card details are loaded and encrypted onto their phone, it is not necessary for them to actually carry their credit card.  This makes it impossible to lose or skim the credit card, thereby increasing the level of security.

It is possible for your patients to effect payment using QR codes that were not generated by Panacea.  For example, when you register as a merchant they will send you a "generic" QR code that contains your SnapCode (merchant ID) but does not contain any tracking info or a payment amount.  If one of these "generic" QR codes is used Panacea will not be able to generate the payment and allocations automatically, but you will be notified of the payment via Panacea in the normal way .

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.”

Send payments back home in an easy and secure way. Taking care of your loved ones back home does not need to be complicated. EthioPay makes it easy to send money without having to worry whether the money will reach your loved ones. Our secure platform uses bank-grade encryption meaning when you send money, your loved ones are guaranteed to receive it. You also never have to worry about your payment methods being compromised. Use our one-time payment system or set an ongoing schedule. We know that sending money home depends on multiple factors. Sometimes you will want to send a one-time amount, other times you will want recurrent payments. Ethiopay caters for both instances by offering you flexible payment options that you can adjust to your needs. This helps you ensure that you never miss a payment when it's needed. Avoid the headaches of keeping track of payments. You want to keep track of payments you make for your personal records. This can be a challenge when using other platforms. The Ethiopay User Account Dashboard offers a unified and detailed view of all the transactions you have made on the platform. Each entry shows the date and time stamp, amount, recipient and transaction status of every payment made. Pay education & utility bills back home with Ethiopay Paying utility and school fees is an important way of empowering your loved ones back home. Whether you are in North America or Europe, Ethiopay offers an easy and reliable way to do this. In addition, you can opt to set up scheduled payments so the payments are made at the beginning of each school term or any other time frame your choose.

Nigeria’s leading digital financial services company, Carbon in an effort to improve the experience of its customers, has launched Carbon Express – A keyboard extension that allows customers to access Carbon services from within whatever app they are using.

he London-based digital money transfer services SimbaPay has now launched a new money remittance services that will purely operate via SMS. That means even people with no internet and using just a feature phone can now use SimbaPay to send or receive money. This is a huge step for the company, as it now enters a bigger pool of users, both with smartphones plus internet access combined with those without smartphones and/or not internet access. The new SimbaPay SMS money remittance services went live yesterday, and now users from around the world can use the service on any device from anywhere via the good-old SMS. The new SMS service is powered by artificial intelligence that has seen SimbaPay integrate a chatbot at the other end of the user.

Digital money transfer service WorldRemit has partnered with Chinese smartphone maker Huawei [HWT.UL] to enable the international transfer of money across Huawei’s mobile services in Africa, the companies said on Tuesday.

“International remittance is a very important mobile money service in Africa, and our partnership with WorldRemit will bring international remittances directly to Huawei’s customers across the continent,” David Chen, Vice-President of Huawei Southern Africa, said in a statement.

AgroCenta brings the shareholders in Ghana’s agricultural value chain under one umbrella. Focusing on the producers, rural smallholder farmers, the company has developed a web and mobile platform that provides rural farmers with a suite of services to empower them to sell their crops at fair-market prices. AgroCenta’s platform, which is includes SMS functionality, provides the following services: 1) AgroInfo: real-time commodity pricing information; 2) TruckR: an on-demand logistics solution; 3) AgroTrade: a market platform to offer crops for sale; and 4) AgroPay: a mobile-money based payments service. The company markets its platform leveraging an intimate knowledge of the African cultural context and recruiting and technologically empowering village chiefs to act as advocates or agents for the platform.