2025 Report: The state of consumer payments in South Africa
Get the latest insights into how South Africans are thinking about payments, checkout and commerce today.
For our annual consumer insights report, we surveyed over 2000 South Africans across various ages, income groups, locations and walks of life to better understand how their payments preferences have evolved over the last year. The report derives insights from a quantitative and qualitative study conducted in partnership with global research firm Censuswide.
We also partnered with data and research firm DataEQ to evaluate online conversations from South African consumers, specifically in the retail and insurance sectors, as it relates to sentiment around payments and checkout experiences.
Especially when compared to our previous reports, the results show the absolute importance of speed and convenience in payments, the necessity for payments providers and merchants to demonstrate safety and security to consumers, and increasing willingness to try new payment methods, even if still used in conjunction with cash.
Key findings
1. New and alternative payment methods are cutting into the lead once held by traditional methods, across sectors.
Payment methods such as Apple, Google and Samsung Pay; Pay by bank; Capitec Pay and more are growing in preference across sectors, reducing the lead held by traditional methods like cash and card.
2. One-click methods including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are gaining adoption more quickly than most other methods have before - largely due to the seamless, convenient and secure experience they offer.
Customers on major retail platforms switch from card payments to Apple Pay immediately upon launch, demonstrating the demand for this fast and secure solution.
3. Innovation in payments experiences and offerings can be leveraged as a differentiator for businesses in increasingly competitive industries.
Businesses that promote new and innovative payment methods can see an impact on broader brand perception and interest.
4. Buy Now Pay Later is finding a niche for higher-value retail purchases.
While absolute adoption remains lower than other alternative methods, context is key. Merchants that offer BNPL see transactions with higher cart value, and less dropoff.
5. Security indicators and instant experiences are now table stakes for consumers.
Consumers are actively looking for indicators that their payments are safe and secure. Authentication methods such as biometrics and 2FA are now table stakes in assuring customers their payments are secure. At the same time, the demand for faster and more seamless payments experiences is at an all time high.
Read the full report
