Three main South African banking institutions – Absa, Discovery Bank and Nedbank – have made Apple Pay available for their customers.
Mobile payment and digital wallet service Apple Pay allows users to make payments in person, in iOS apps, and on the Web using Safari. Customers simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment.
Furthermore, customers can use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the Web in Safari without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in shipping and billing information.
In a statement, big-four bank Absa confirms bringing its customers Apple Pay, saying it’s a safer, more secure and private way to pay, so that customers can avoid handing their payment card to someone else, touching physical buttons or exchanging cash.
“As South Africa deals with heightened hygiene and health requirements, a record number of customers have adopted and embraced digital transactions,” says Cowyk Fox, managing executive: everyday banking at Absa retail and business bank.
“Last year alone, Absa witnessed a 200% increase in contactless payments for the year, while e-commerce levels doubled. In a tangible display of our commitment to provide customers with world-class payment options, Absa is one of the first South African banks to offer Apple Pay. Customers can now link their Absa cards through the Absa mobile banking app and still receive all the rewards and benefits offered by Absa’s cards.”
Discovery Bank today also announced it’s bringing its customers Apple Pay.
According to the digital-only bank, Apple Pay makes it easier to pay for food and grocery deliveries, online shopping, transportation and parking, among other things.
Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank, states: “We are thrilled to announce Apple Pay is here for all Discovery Bank clients, providing an easy, secure and contactless way to pay. Discovery Bank’s launch of Apple Pay reflects our commitment to delivering the most advanced payment and digital banking technologies and comes at an important time for our customers who are looking for the most secure and convenient contactless payment options.
“Discovery Bank customers can now leave their wallet behind and still benefit from Discovery’s unique features, such as earning Discovery Miles and market-leading rewards.”
Nedbank customers are reportedly able to load Apple Pay onto their cards as well.
Meanwhile, payment gateway Peach Payments also announced it has enabled Apple Pay for e-commerce sites in SA using its service.
Peach Payments says South Africans are now able to complete their purchases with one single tap without filling out lengthy credentials and providing their credit or debit card details when purchasing online.
Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code, it states.
“We are proud to enable Apple Pay in South Africa for all our merchants,” says Rahul Jain, co-founder of Peach Payments. “It’s an unparalleled intuitive, safe and secure experience. Apple Pay features will help drive higher conversion rates for merchants and less abandonment at checkout so both our merchants and their customers will find the experience rewarding and reassuring.”
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