South African mobile payments startup Zapper collaborates with payments and data API fintech Stitch (via LinkPay—a one-click payments solution) to enable Zapper users to send instant electronic funds transfer (ETF) payments with just one click.
Zapper was one of the first companies to offer mobile payments in South Africa. It now lets businesses of all sizes offer their customers the most convenient and cutting-edge ways to pay online.
“Our work with Stitch continues our commitment to ensure Zapper merchants can offer as many payment options as possible.” By providing a simple, secure instant EFT option, customers can still use their favourite scan-to-pay method without relying on a bank-issued card, “Brett White, Zapper’s CEO, said.”
White added that “in a tighter economy, instant EFT also helps consumers keep a very tight rein on their balances and will be welcomed by the budget-conscious.” We also see this as another way we can help eliminate any barriers to payment for our merchants, who also need every advantage in this economy. ”
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LinkPay is the first product in Africa to offer secure, one-click, instant EFT payments from a connected financial account. It was made by Stitch in 2022 and offered the same convenience as a card for a lot less money.
Before Instant EFT, clients of Zapper had to sign into their bank accounts to initiate payment each time they wanted to pay at a Zapper business. By scanning the Zapper QR code at the checkout and selecting to pay from their associated account, consumers can now pay instantly.
To link an account in the Zapper app, a customer must choose “Link an account” and choose this as their main payment method. They choose their bank and login using their online banking credentials. After authorizing with multi-factor verification (like an in-app approval or OTP), they can make payments with just one click and without having to log in again. This is similar to how it would be with a linked card.
Customers of Zapper benefit from rapid and easy one-click payments, high transaction success rates, and fewer fraud cases by linking an account.
According to Kiaan Pillay, “With Stitch LinkPay, Zapper can provide a significantly better experience for customers paying via Instant EFT.” Previously, they needed to log into their bank accounts every time they made a payment to pay with instant EFT. Now, they can go immediately to the front of a coffee shop, scan a QR code, and make a payment from their linked account in one click—meaning they can get on their way much faster. ”
He said, “for merchants when more customers choose to pay via Instant EFT, they will save on expensive card fees and fraud-related charges. We’re excited to partner with Zapper to bring secure, convenient, one-click Instant EFT payments to more than one million Zapper customers across South Africa.”
Customers can safely link a bank account by logging into their Zapper app. Zapper merchants can now accept an increasing number of other payment methods in addition to the company’s traditional scan-to-pay QR solutions for card payments (either at a physical location or through e-commerce offers). These include gift cards, mobile wallets, and third-party choices linked to the Zapper network, such as Instant EFT, Buy Now Pay Later options, and even cryptocurrency wallets—all through a single account.
In South Africa and Nigeria, where Stitch was first introduced in February 2021, its APIs for payments and financial data is working. LinkPay, the first payments system in Africa that tokenizes user financial accounts to allow one-click, validated payments and smooth payouts for repeat customers, was launched in April after the company announced the end of a $21 million Series A fundraising round.
The Stitch Gains Ground In Nigeria
Stitch, an API fintech startup, just like other fast-rising tech firms, arrived in Nigeria with a $2 million seed extension. Along with investors such as Future Africa and the Norrsken Foundation,
When Stitch came out, a $4 million seed round was revealed. Its total seed round now stands at $6 million. The startup made its official debut in February 2021 with an API that gives software firms access to users’ financial data and tools for identification verification.
The company claims to have expanded by 40–50% month-over-month since its start. Stitch CEO Kiaan Pillay says, “Nigeria is one of the most active markets on the continent, if not the world, for fintech.” The opportunity we see here is endless. ”
He says the company plans to become the “go-to partner for any business building financial products in Africa.”
Other API fintech companies like Mono, which launched a $15 million series, would compete against Stitch.
Since its launch in 2020, Mono has moved 200 million pieces of financial data and connected 270 companies.
As Stitch is ready to expand into other African nations, this seed extension will allow them to extend their team in Nigeria and gain an audience they have not been able to reach.