Tech in Africa
The recent wave of Covid-19 has resulted in a shift to digital payments across South Africa and the rest of the continent. Ukheshe, a digital fintech enabler platform has entered into a partnership with Infobip, a global cloud communication platform to jointly provide the country’s first WhatsApp payment gateway.
Infobip deploys a WhatsApp Business API solution that leverages its Ukheshe’s Eclipse API integration. Clayton Hayward, the CEO and co-founder of Ukheshe described working with Infobip as an “easy and cost-effective” way of sending and receiving money through an app. It’s worth noting that over 90% of internet users in South Africa use WhatsApp as their Messenger/ VoIP platform.
Through the digital wallet, one can link to other cards, make payment with a QR code, add virtual cards, send money, conduct cash withdrawals and pay for goods. Founded in 2018, Ukheshe runs on the Eclipse API framework offering ready-to-use digital services which can be deployed anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.
The digital wallet will further accommodate the issuance of virtual cards which when accompanied by chat banking, underpins its drive to support the digitized adoption of e-commerce. The launch of WhatsApp’s payment gateway creates an international reach from a solution-driven B2B provider offering digital payment solutions from telcos, banks, and other fintech firms that provide banking and other related payment services.
Shaun van Rooyen, the strategic accounts and partnerships manager at Infobip South Africa, described the work with Ukheshe on the project as a “great pleasure” describing the intiative’s alignment with the goal of “connecting the world.”
