Vodacom has had VodaPay, a payments system backed by Chinese-owned Alipay, in the works for some time now. From the beginning the company has referred to the application as a ‘super app’. Now, finally, Vodacom is launching the app into the wild where we can get a closer look at it.
VodaPay wants to be your VodaBankingInstitution
The app, when we first heard about it, didn’t have a massive amount of detail. Now, though, you can explore it for yourself. It’s designed to allow anyone (using the app, obviously) to make or take payments (we’ll get to that in a second) in South Africa no matter who you bank with. Users can purchase airtime, electricity, or goods, either in person (good luck with that) or online. But there’s more to this than Vodacom setting itself up as a financial institution — which it has totally done.
It’s also looking to attract businesses and developers to its VodaPay ‘super app’, because it wants them to integrate services into it. It hopes to achieve this by using Mini Programs, which the telecoms company says can be quickly developed and deployed to allow businesses to support “…new customers, trading, and advertising.”
Vodacom Financial and Digital Services chief officer Mariam Cassim said, “This is the perfect opportunity for businesses and developers to establish a presence in this hi-tech, scalable digital mall. They can access millions of potential customers every day. While VodaPay will be accessible to customers on any mobile network, it will be zero-rated for all Vodacom customers.”
Several noted companies have already opted to create their own Mini Programs for the app — Builder’s Warehouse, Makro, Exclusive Books, Clicks, Game and PetZone are among the more than seventy companies already confirmed to be playing in the VodaPay pool in some capacity.
If you’re a business or a developer interested in trying it out, there are options for both of you. Businesses can check here, while potential developers can sign up here.
