Paystack has introduced its Virtual Terminal product in new markets, including Ghana, Côte D’Ivoire, Kenya, and South Africa. First introduced in Nigeria in 2021, the virtual terminal offers a hardware-free solution for businesses accepting in-person payments, such as retail stores, restaurants, or pay-on-delivery services.
Overview of paystack’s Virtual Terminal
The Virtual Terminal is a versatile, innovative payment solution that streamlines in-person transactions. Merchants can facilitate a seamless payment process by generating unique QR codes for customer-facing staff, including cashiers, delivery riders, or sales agents.
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When customers scan the QR code, they are presented with multiple payment options available through Paystack, such as Mobile Money, Cards, Apple Pay, and more.
Functionality and User Experience
One of the standout features of Paystack’s Virtual Terminal is its simplicity and ease of use. Upon scanning the QR code, customers can choose their preferred payment method from an array of options tailored to their region.
After completing the payment, the staff member immediately receives a confirmation via WhatsApp, allowing the transaction to be processed swiftly and efficiently. This real-time confirmation enhances the customer experience by minimising wait times and ensuring a smooth checkout process.
Payment Methods by Region
Paystack’s Virtual Terminal is designed to cater to diverse payment preferences across different regions and is tailored to each country.
In Côte d’Ivoire, customers can pay using MTN MoMo, Wave, Orange Money, Visa, Mastercard, and Apple Pay. This variety ensures that local and international payment options are available, catering to a broad customer base.
Paystack’s payment methods for Ghana include MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash (formerly Vodafone Cash), AirtelTigo Money, Visa, Mastercard, and Apple Pay. These options provide flexibility and convenience for customers using different payment platforms.
The available payment methods for Kenya are M-PESA, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Apple Pay. M-PESA, a popular mobile money service in Kenya, is prominently featured, reflecting its widespread use in the country.
Customers in South Africa can utilise Scan to Pay, SnapScan, EFT, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Apple Pay. Including local payment methods like Scan to Pay and SnapScan highlights Paystack’s commitment to addressing regional payment preferences.
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Additional Features and Flexibility
Merchants using Paystack’s Virtual Terminal benefit from several features that enhance its usability and flexibility. They can turn off a Virtual Terminal QR code anytime, ensuring control over the payment process.
Additionally, merchants can change the WhatsApp number linked to the QR code, allowing easy updates and ensuring that payment confirmations are sent to the correct recipient. For businesses with multiple staff members handling payments, the Virtual Terminal can be configured to send alerts to multiple WhatsApp numbers, facilitating efficient communication and coordination.
Paystack’s expansion of its Virtual Terminal to Ghana, Côte D’Ivoire, Kenya, and South Africa marks a significant step in enhancing in-person payment solutions across Africa. By providing a hardware-free, user-friendly platform that supports a wide range of payment methods, Paystack empowers businesses to offer their customers seamless and secure payment experiences.