Ukheshe Technologies, a digital FinTech enablement company, and Infobip, a global cloud communications platform that enables companies to construct connected customer interactions across all stages of the customer journey at scale, have collaborated to create South Africa’s first WhatsApp payment gateway, which will be used by Telkom, one of the country’s largest mobile operators.
The solution is also the first WhatsApp channel to support QR payments, in addition to becoming South Africa’s first digital wallet network.
The project and partnership with Infobip are part of Ukheshe’s goal to extend its international reach as a solution-driven B2B provider of digital-first payment solutions that enable banks, telcos, and fintechs to provide banking and payment services to their customers through a solution known as “Chat Banking.”
The use of Ukheshe’s cutting-edge Eclipse API integration by Infobip to deploy a WhatsApp Business API solution is a first of its kind.
Customers of mobile operators can transfer money to anyone with a mobile number easily and safely, without the need for an external app or software.
Ukheshe co-founder and CEO Clayton Hayward says creating South Africa’s first WhatsApp payment gateway was an exciting opportunity to provide a relevant and workable payment solution:
“We are delighted that through numerous working associations we are able to assist organizations address financial literacy and inclusion.”
End customers are empowered by the chat banking solution, which provides them with Internet access as well as an accessible and reliable digital wallet while also meeting Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. In addition, the digital wallet will be able to connect to other cards, add virtual cards, pay or be paid with a QR code, transfer money, make cash withdrawals, and pay for goods.”
He goes on to say that the digital wallet platform’s service offering will be expanded to include the issuance of virtual cards, which, along with chat banking, will help Ukheshe promote digital-first e-commerce adoption.
The relationship between Infobip and Ukheshe, according to Shaun Van Rooyen, Strategic Accounts and Partnerships Manager at Infobip South Africa, is underpinned by the current need for organizations to find creative ways to make their customers’ lives easier and provide customers with access to easy banking.
“It’s been a real pleasure working on this project with Ukheshe. The initiative and collaboration are in line with our mission of bringing the world closer together.
Ukheshe Technologies and Infobip, as project integration partners, also provide an intuitive chatbot service to ensure mobile operator customers receive timely answers to their questions and customized follow-up customer service if appropriate.
Ukheshe’s digital-first enablement network, according to Hayward, has developed and expanded dramatically in recent months as the financial services sector searches for creative solution providers to fill the fundamental gaps faced by the unbanked.
“Working with Infobip has been especially exciting because we’ve built a simple and cost-effective way for customers to send and receive money using an app that’s already on their phones.
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