#digitalfirststrategy

Jul 9, 2021
2 min

E-commerce boom fuelled by QR and virtual cards

QR codes are facilitating mobile payments for more users around the globe than ever before. The reason? They’re fast, safe, efficient, and most importantly, are available to the vast majority of consumers thanks to QR code functionality built into most smartphones. As a result, QR code payments have become the norm in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In China, QR-enabled mobile payments have largely displaced cash as

Jul 5, 2021
2 min

Ukheshe comes second in the prestigious KPMG Global Tech Innovator Launch

The KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Africa competition came to an exciting close this week and saw Africa’s future unicorn, Ukheshe, take second place among 75 other worthy entrants across Africa. The maiden KPMG Global Tech Innovator launch showcased Africa’s place as the next global the next growth and investment frontier. Aimed at recognising the fastest-growing, most innovative technology companies across the continent, Clayton Hayward, CEO, Ukheshe, says th

Jun 22, 2021
2 min

Building Africa’s next fintech unicorn

Ukheshe started with a humble proposition: bring electronic payments to the unbanked. As Ukheshe grew, it saw the broader issue: it’s not just that many people are unbanked; many financial institutions don’t have the digital means to engage with more modern audiences. When it comes to using QR codes, USSD payments, mobile apps, web interfaces and such, most banks find it too complicated. They have to coordinate the services of multiple providers and vendors, all while navigat

May 20, 2021
1 min

Hub71 selects 16 new startups and supports its community with funding and market access beyond incen

1 min read. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, announces its first cohort of 2021, selecting 16 tech startups from 11 countries and seven sectors out of 150 applicants to join its vibrant community. The number of successful applications reflects an 11 per cent success rate that led to Hub71 selecting its first startups from India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Mauritius and South Africa, in addition to its first SpaceTech startup, following the

May 20, 2021
2 min

Ukheshe Technologies plans to takes its digital-first solutions to Asia-Pacific

2 min read. Leading South African digital fintech enablement provider, Ukheshe Technologies will expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region as it introduces innovative digital-first payment solutions via key partnerships in what is emerging as a lucrative growth market for the B2B payment technology specialist. The move comes as Ukheshe continues to build on its solid reputation as a trusted enablement partner, having established relationships with financial service pl

May 12, 2021
2 min

Ukheshe proudly supporting SME enablement and the growing global gig economy

1 min read. The gig economy – characterized by the prevalence of flexible independent contractors, as opposed to permanent jobs – is growing at a rapid pace worldwide. According to Mastercard’s white paper on The Gig Economy in East Africa, this global economy is currently sized at $193 billion and increasing at a projected annual rate of 17.4%. By the end of 2023, it is forecast to be worth $455 billion. Technology, with its rapid advancements in digital offerings allowing p

May 4, 2021
2 min

Ukheshe Technologies welcomes Anton Coertzen to its dynamic executive team

2 min read. Leading South African digital-first fintech enabler, Ukheshe Technologies has announced the appointment of Anton Coertzen as President of Strategic Partnerships. Coertzen will be responsible for growing the business through key partnerships which complement the company’s business development and product innovation strategy. The appointment comes as Ukheshe continues to entrench its position as a formidable payment technology specialist within the B2B sector. Follo

Apr 28, 2021
1 min

Unlocking digital-first innovation through collaboration

1 min read. A recent Accenture report for North America noted that “incumbents must embrace collaboration and understand that, when it comes to the question of whether fintechs are friends or foes in retail payments – they are both.” In an ever-changing digital payments landscape, fintechs are able to provide solutions that enable payments to happen in a dynamic way that is both effective and convenient for the end customer. If an organisation, like a bank or telco, perceives

Apr 21, 2021
3 min

Affordable digital banking to revolutionise price-sensitive East African payments market

2 min read. In a region still dominated by cash and mobile money options, like M-Pesa, new collaborations between fintechs are looking to capture the price-sensitive market with innovative, open-loop digital payment solutions in East Africa. According to Mark Dankworth, President International, Ukheshe Technologies, the region is poised for a surge in digital banking growth, with the likes of MCQR and virtual cards likely to make the biggest impact. This follows the Kenyan re

Apr 21, 2021
1 min

Nedbank’s new money service lets customers pay through WhatsApp

1 min read. Nedbank, in collaboration with Mastercard and Ukheshe, has launched its Money Message service – a payment platform that lets small and micro-businesses receive secure in-chat payments from their customers via WhatsApp. The bank said that the service is a first in South Africa, and will allow merchants to send an invoice requesting a payment from any customer through WhatsApp. Customers in turn can then settle a payment directly from the platform. How it works Nedb

Apr 13, 2021
1 min

From physical to virtual cards and their value in financial services

1 min read. A good variety of payment solutions are required for businesses to remain competitive and increase their market share in an environment where customers demand more options and greater flexibility. When solutions are created to connect organisations to customers, it is vital those customers feel in complete control of their money. To achieve this, a reliable and trustworthy enablement partner is an important foundation. Ukheshe Technologies creates payment solution

Mar 16, 2021
1 min

Ukheshe, Infobip Create SA’s First WhatsApp Payment Gateway

2 min read. Digital FinTech enablement provider, Ukheshe Technologies, together with Infobip, a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected customer experiences across all stages of the customer journey at scale, have developed South Africa’s very first WhatsApp payment gateway for use by Telkom, one of the country’s largest mobile operators. In addition to being South Africa’s first digital wallet platform, the solution is also the first W

Mar 16, 2021
2 min

Ukheshe Technologies’ Start Path journey and our role in a digital first future

2 min read. In April 2020, Ukheshe Technologies was selected to join Mastercard Start Path, an exclusive startup engagement program for later-stage scaling startups. In the 11 months that followed, we pivoted to a B2B model that focused on the enablement of Mastercard’s digital-first strategy. Our journey continued with the acquisition of Oltio – which developed the digital payments platform that supports Mastercard’s QR code service, Masterpass, in South Africa. while also c

Mar 11, 2021
1 min

Ukheshe: A wallet that works exactly like WhatsApp

2 min read. SA’s first WhatsApp payment gateway joins a trend that lets you send money quickly and securely to anyone with a cell number The Covid-19 pandemic has propelled a shift to digital payments not just globally but in SA. Last month the FM reported that a Mastercard study conducted locally during lockdown revealed that an overwhelming 75% of participants were using contactless payments out of safety and hygiene concerns and a further 64% said they needed to reduce or

Mar 11, 2021
1 min

Ukheshe expands reach to international markets

2 min read. South African micro-payments platform provider Ukheshe is expanding its operations to international markets, eyeing key regions such as Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific, the company revealed today. The move into global markets comes on the back of ramped up efforts by Ukheshe to establish and enhance key partnerships in Africa, as the continent shifts towards digital channels, products and services. “We will continue to look for potential acquisitions in these

Mar 11, 2021
1 min

A bigger and better Ukheshe – with the best yet to come

2 min read. The last few months have been an exciting chapter in Ukheshe’s growth and development. Our team continues to expand with the brightest talent in our industry who bring with them the extensive skills, knowledge and experience to drive our regional and international ambitions. We are thrilled to have recently welcomed new members to our sales, support, and development teams. With our growing team, we are even more well-placed to meet the demands of our banking, telc