Helios takes on Africa

Helios Investment Partners, a private equity firm dedicated to making growth investments across Africa, has acquired a majority stake in e-payment provider Interswitch, reports Vanguard.

Helios has become a shareholder of the largest transaction switching and electronic payment processing service provider in Nigeria and owner of card scheme, Verve.

The Verve card, which is issued by 21 out of the 24 banks in Nigeria, is the only chip and PIN card accepted across multiple payment channels including ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, online, mobile and at banks.

California electronic medical billing regulations and revised paper medical billing requirements were released this month for public comment, states PR USA.

The regulations are part of plans by the California's Division of Workers Compensation, to help control medical costs.

California now joins a growing number of jurisdictions encouraging electronic connectivity between providers and payers. The state's Paper bill processing requirements will go into effect within the next few months.

Electronic payment service provider WorldPay has partnered with CellPoint Mobile, a provider of mobile infrastructure, retail and payment solutions, says Computer Weekly.com.

The two firms plan to make it easier for retailers to introduce mobile payment services for remote transactions.

According to market analyst IMRG, online business in the UK is likely to grow from £50 billion in 2009 to £123 billion in 2020. Online sales already account for 17% of retail sales, and this is expected to grow, along with the percentage conducted from mobile phones.