BNPL to biometrics: SA eager to continue to embrace new digital payment methods

The adoption of a broad range of digital payment methods is accelerating in SA, according to Mastercard’s New Payment Index 2022^*.

In addition to being aware of solutions such as cryptocurrency, digital cards, biometric payments, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and open banking, consumers in SA are increasingly and actively using these solutions for various financial transactions in their everyday lives.  

The index found that 95% of people in SA have used at least at one emerging digital payment method in the last year. While in-person purchases remain common, consumers are making purchases in increasingly diverse ways, such as with loyalty points or store credit cards, and via a range of digital purchasing activities.

In the past six months, 67% of consumers have made a purchase from an online marketplace, 66% have bought something from a mobile app and 49% have bought a service via an online subscription. 

Usage of digital payments increasing

While traditional payment methods like cash and swiping or inserting a credit card still have traction, the use of emerging digital payments is gaining momentum. Three quarters of users increased their use of at least one emerging digital payment method in the last year.

An overwhelming 97% indicated that they are likely to use a digital payment method in the next 12 months, with account-to-account payments (86%), digital money transfer apps (81%), instant payment services (80%), and digital credit or debit cards (78%) topping the list. 

The index confirmed that security is top of mind when deciding what payment methods to use in SA as well as globally. Interestingly, traditional payment methods are still viewed as more secure than emerging digital methods, with 79% of SA consumers saying that swiping or inserting a debit or credit card is the most secure way to pay.

Beyond security, South Africans cited ease of use (51%) and the rewards offered (44%) as differentiators when deciding which payment method to use. 

“Consumers in SA have consistently shown a willingness to adopt innovative new technologies — and payments are no exception," said Gabriel Swanepoel, country manager at Mastercard, Southern Africa. 

"At Mastercard, we are committed to understanding the unique needs and preferences of the people residing in the markets we serve, and to continue partnering with the public and private sectors to develop market-relevant solutions as we build an inclusive and connected digital future that works for everyone."

More insights from the Mastercard New Payments Index 2022:

High awareness of BNPL instalments as a budgeting tool

There is a high awareness of BNPL instalments as a budgeting tool, with 91% of SA consumers saying they are familiar with the concept, and 27% saying they have used it in the past year.

However, while consumers want the flexibility and convenience of BNPL, they want the security associated with a trusted provider such as a bank or payment network.

Consumers find BNPL useful for big-ticket purchases and emergency use, as well as increased purchasing power. They also find it useful for unique use cases, including as a budgeting and financial planning tool. 

Receptiveness to more direct account-to-account payments

The majority of consumers are seeking greater agility to optimise bill payments, prioritising control, flexibility, convenience and integrated payment technologies.

Most consumers are open to direct account-to-account payment options, by linking their account to a merchant site or utility provider for future purchases. 

Consumers are relying on digital channels for paying bills because it’s more convenient and optimises financial management. Sixty percent of SA consumers say it helps them to budget and manage their money better, while 51% say they are using digital tools to set up recurring payments.

In all, 84% of consumers agree they would like to be able to make purchases or pay bills directly from their bank account without inputting card details.

Consumers turning to fintech, and indirectly open banking, to accomplish everyday finance needs

Consumers are relying on digital tools to accomplish everyday financial tasks, with 71% of South Africans using fintech for five or more tasks, with banking and paying bills emerging as top use cases.

Most consumers know about open banking — the ability to share your banking data with other financial service providers — and are using it to pay their bills, do their banking, secure or refinance loans and make BNPL payments.

SA consumers cite faster transactions (60%) and the ease of tracking transactions between accounts (59%) as the biggest benefits of open banking and linking accounts. 

Eight in 10 consumers agree they feel safe using apps to send money to people or businesses from their phone and close to half agree they are comfortable sharing financial information with apps to have access to payment tools that help them manage their money. 

Biometrics offer convenience and security at checkout, though data access concerns remain

Consumers recognise the increased convenience and security that biometrics can offer, with 75% agreeing it is easier to make payments using such technologies than a card or a device.

The potential for security optimisation is also evident to consumers, with roughly three-quarters agreeing biometric technologies for identity and payments is more secure than a PIN, password or other form of identification and more secure than two factor authentication via text or email. 

While consumers do have some concerns about what entities have access to their biometric data, they are still open to using it given the time it saves with the majority of consumers either having used it or are planning to make use of biometric data. 

As consumers shop, bank and transact digitally more than ever before, Mastercard continues to strengthen its digital payment capabilities in SA and across the wider Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Its trusted technology solutions are being used for new use cases, brought to market through various partnerships with fintechs, governments, financial institutions, digital giants and telecom operators.

By tapping into multi-rail capabilities to create competitive localised solutions, Mastercard is accelerating the transfer of value in new ways, on multiple rails, thereby advancing a bright future for inclusive commerce.

This article was paid for by Mastercard.

^{*Mastercard's New Payments Index is based on research conducted by The Harris Poll and Mastercard Global Foresights, Insights and Analytics from March 21 to April 21 2022, among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults in SA. It forms part of a global study where 35,040 adults were surveyed.}