Standard Bank | After a Cautious Start, Africa’s Policymakers Should Accelerate the Implementation and Adoption of AfCFTA

Posted on by Staff Writer | 3882 Views | 20 min read

By: Vinod Madhavan, Head of Trade at Standard Bank Group Africa’s policymakers need to ensure that the momentum behind the African Continental Free-trade Area (AfCFTA) is not lost following the trading bloc’s launch in January. This initiative could act a much-needed stimulus for the continent’s economies in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Signed in

SA Fintech Startup Funded by Major International Buy Now Pay Later Player

Posted on by Staff Writer | 4489 Views | 12 min read

With international investment in South Africa having drastically reduced, homegrown fintech startup Payflex has scored a significant vote of confidence from an Australian-listed multinational. Payflex is backed by Zip Co Limited (ASX: Z1P), a buy now pay later player with a market cap of over R55 billion. Paul Behrmann, Payflex CEO and founder, says the

PASA | How Did South Africa Manage to End the Use of Cheques?

Posted on by Staff Writer | 4235 Views | 20 min read

31 December 2020 marked the end of Cheques, one of the oldest recognized payment instruments in South Africa. For the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA), the legal and operational structures and constructs that governed Cheques were formally disbanded on 31 March 2021, bringing the end to a grand old payment system. By contrast, several

Standard Bank | Africa 2021: Emerging from the COVID-19 Abyss

Posted on by Staff Writer | 3450 Views | 19 min read

Hari Chaitanya, Head of Investor Services, Product Management at Standard Bank  A year ago, investors finally accepted the gravity of the looming COVID-19 crisis. In March 2020, major equity markets collapsed by almost a third, while safe-haven assets – including US Treasury bonds – came under unprecedented strain. Although markets have since recovered, the crisis

Zeepay Ghana Acquires Mangwee Mobile Money in Zambia

Posted on by Staff Writer | 5666 Views | 9 min read

Zeepay, the leading African Challenger Fintech with operations in over 10 African countries has acquired a 51 percent stake in Mangwee Mobile Money in Zambia. In a private placement Zeepay and Mangwee agreed to a sale of 51 percent of Mangwee shares to Zeepay. The deal makes Zeepay Ghana the majority shareholder of the entity. Mangwee has

Crossfin Ventures Invests in SA’s First Gold-backed Savings Account, Debit Card

Posted on by Staff Writer | 4235 Views | 13 min read

Crossfin Ventures, the angel investment arm of Crossfin Technology Holdings, has announced its investment in Troygold, a South African fintech enabling gold owners to digitise physical gold and use it for day to day transactions via a mobile app and gold-backed Mastercard. Crossfin Ventures chief operating officer Anton Gaylard says they were attracted to Troygold

Samsung and Standard Bank Partner to Offer 0% Interest on Samsung Products

Posted on by Staff Writer | 3654 Views | 8 min read

These days we all are in search of devices and products that make life better, whether at work, home or play. Samsung’s range of products are designed to achieve this and so much more. There is therefore great news for those wanting to purchase a must-have device or home appliance. Samsung and Standard Bank have

The Minister of Finance Approves Access Bank’s Acquisition of Grobank

Posted on by Staff Writer | 3802 Views | 5 min read

The Minister of Finance, on the recommendation of the Prudential Authority (PA), has approved the proposed acquisition of the controlling interest in Grobank by Access Bank Plc (Access Bank). Access Bank is a Nigerian-registered multinational bank with a footprint across Africa, the United Kingdom and Asia. The PA and the Ministry of Finance after making

SASSA Statement on COVID-19 Grant Payment Delays

Posted on by Staff Writer | 3463 Views | 7 min read

A delay in the payments of the COVID-19 social relief grant for the months of March and April 2021 is being experienced due to the transition in government financial years.  The end of March is the end of the financial year for government and various administrative tasks are required before any payments which relate to

81% of Nigeria Consumers are Shopping More Online Since the Start of Pandemic, Reveals Mastercard Study

Posted on by Staff Writer | 4659 Views | 15 min read

Data top-up (94%), clothing (64%) and beauty products (56%) top the virtual shopping list in Nigeria Top learning experiences include online banking, learning to manage health & get medicines online, cooking & learning a new language Social media has become an integral platform for connecting consumers to online businesses Secure checkout experience recognized as fundamental