What is Capitec Pay? 

 The first of its kind in South Africa, Capitec Pay is an open banking payment method from Capitec Bank that aims to facilitate financial inclusion in South Africa. Through Capitec Pay, Capitec Bank account holders can make secure payments directly from their bank account via the Capitec App on their smartphone, without their bank card. All they need to identify themselves is their cell phone number, ID number or account number – no passwords or usernames are required.  

How can online shoppers pay with Capitec Pay through SiD? 

For online shoppers familiar with the ease and convenience of SiD, using Capitec Pay will be a seamless transition. 

1. When customers arrive at your checkout page, they simply select the SiD payment option. 
2. A prompt will appear, allowing them to choose Capitec Pay as their preferred bank. 
3. They will then enter their cell phone, ID number or account number as requested. 
4. On the Capitec App, they navigate to the Transact section and select Capitec Pay and authorise the payment. 
5. Upon completing the transaction, customers will return to your website with a payment confirmation. 
6. You will receive instant notification of the successful payment, enabling you to promptly fulfil their order or request. 

Capitec Pay boasts a higher success rate compared to other payment methods due to its increased uptime from its bank-side monitoring. So, we are confident your business will benefit from this latest addition to our supported banks as it will help decrease cart abandonment.  

If you have any queries, please reach out to our helpful Customer Services team via email. 

Instant EFT   
Our payment method is ideally suited to the sports betting industry. With SiD Secure EFT, it gives players the ability to make use of a transactional account rather than a credit option and gives consumers choice on checkout when paying for bets online.  

Our sports betting and online gaming merchants also win as funds are easy to reconcile and lowers operational risk.  

To add SID Secure EFT to your website checkout page, contact us today. Click here 

 
With some restrictions around travel, driving, and interacting with others, online services were a game-changer, allowing people to access all they needed while still remaining safely at home. So, it should come as no surprise that the payment industry saw a dramatic shift during this time.  
 
Below are some of the impacts Covid-19 has had on online payment trends.  

Contactless Payments  

With restrictions around interactions with others, distancing, and general concerns about hygiene and handwashing, tap-to-pay (or tap-and-go) payments saw a dramatic rise – according to Visa, these payments increased 150% in March 2020 compared to one year prior. Contactless payments enabled consumers to pay quickly without handing their card over to another person, leading to an increased sense of safety and security.  

eWallets, Mobile Banking and Instant EFT 

Another contributor to contactless payments are NFC-enabled phones and eWallets stored within apps. eWallets also allow customers to tap-and-go. These wallets also eliminate the need for cash or carrying cards, storing all information in a single, secure place.   

Mobile banking has also seen a rise, with more people relying on mobile apps and online portals to track and manage their finances, and even pay bills. Banks who previously did not have comprehensive online services have integrated more functionality into online access to make it easier than ever for people make payments by using Instant EFT, receive payments and transfer funds  

B2B Payments 

This shift also affected the B2B – business to business – segments. Traditionally, invoices may have been sent via mail to Accounts Payable and paid via printed checks. In these days of distancing and non-traditional work environments, this entire process has been embraced as a digitized workflow. Digital invoices are sent and can be paid through online payment options, eliminating steps (not to mention, saving paper and resources).  

Already a steady trend, digital payments have seen a huge increase in adoption globally in the past year and a half. This trend is not expected to slow down, with survey respondents from around the world stating that they have grown accustomed to (and feel safe with) making payments online for a variety of purposes.  

For more information on how you can add SiD Secure EFT as a payment option on your website. Click here or email us directly at sales@sidpayment.com 

The improvements will benefit our growing network of merchants, which has more than doubled year-on-year.

We are exceedingly pleased with the results of the team’s work over the last few months. The new platform is delivering significantly better speeds across all the banks. The new interface, designed with the help of a specialist UX team, also offers a far superior user experience, lowering cart abandonment and delivering an overall checkout experience that will delight customers.

Superior Customer Service

Offering as many payment options as possible is a big part of the online customer experience.

Adding the new and improved SiD Secure EFT is a quick and easy way for merchants to deliver superior customer service and, in many cases, differentiate themselves from their competitors.

How to use the New & Improved SiD

Additional banks

In addition to these improvements, our service is now available to customers of Tyme Bank. We are also in the process of adding Bidvest Bank and African Bank, making our platform more accessible, regardless of where our customers’ bank.

No tokenisation

We are particularly pleased with the speed levels of our new platform and can support it without needing to resort to tokenisation. This allows us to offer customers a comparable transactional experience when compared to other online payment methods. SiD will remain true to its commitment that it will never store users’ details.

If you require any further information or you’d like to receive SiD payments on your company website, please contact us below

Terms & Conditions: 

Please note only new  SiD merchants that activated SiD before 21 October 2020 are eligible for the “Win a Holiday Merchant Sign Up” competition. To enter, you must activate SiD on your account and show SiD is live on your payment page by 23:59 on Friday 27 November 2020. Winner will be chosen at random on Monday 30 November 2020. 3 winners will be chosen, 1 for the grand prize and 2 runners up. The runners up shall each receive a R500 Takealot voucher. Acceptance of the grand prize by the winner indicates an undertaking that the grand prize winner shall take and share a photograph of themselves enjoying their holiday and send it to the SiD Marketing team at marketingsa@dpogroup.com such that the photograph may be used by SiD and the DPO Group in DPO Marketing and on official DPO Group social media. For more details  and to activate contact sidactivations@dpogroup.com. 

Ireland, Kenya, South Africa, 29 July 2020: DPO Group (DPO), one of the leading, high-growth online commerce platforms in Africa operating across 19 countries, has today entered into an agreement to be acquired by Network International, a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). In a landmark deal for the African payments space, Network International will be acquiring 100% of DPO Group, which will continue to operate under the same brand.  

Headquartered in Dubai and listed on the London Stock Exchange, Network International is a leading pan-regional provider of digital payment solutions, with presence across the entire payments value chain, delivering integrated omnichannel payments services to its customers. The acquisition of DPO Group will support Network International’s capabilities in Africa across online, mobile and alternative payments as well as providing merchant and MNO relationships and increasing the cross-selling opportunities to both DPO and Network International’s customers.  

DPO Group is already a high growth business, with revenue CAGR of c.40% from 2017-2019. This transaction enables DPO to add point of sale payment solutions to its product portfolio, connecting DPO to acquirers and issuers across the African continent and enabling DPO to penetrate the Middle East market for the first time.  

Eran Feinstein, CEO of DPO Group commented: “This deal represents a significant milestone for the pan-African payments landscape and the customers and businesses we serve. Combining the two companies will allow us to broaden our offering for new and existing customers, significantly improving capacity for Africa’s merchants to do business not only across the continent but in the Middle East as well as globally.” 

Simon Haslam, Network International’s Chief Executive Officer said: “We are excited by this acquisition which will strengthen our strategic framework by combining both of our businesses’ activities across the African market. This deal will also enhance our offering in the payments value chain by presence on both sides of the transaction, acquiring and issuing, and accelerate our future growth. Together, we have a powerful combination to accelerate digital payments across our regions and offer a one-stop shop solution for merchants, with multiple payment acceptance methods.” 

Offer Gat, DPO Group Co-Founder and Chairman added: “We are delighted to have worked with Apis Partners in growing DPO Group into one of the leading pan-African payments companies. We have found Apis’ financial services sector expertise invaluable as we scaled DPO from a regional player to a truly pan-African platform present in 19 countries and serving both blue chip and local merchants. Apis supported DPO throughout as we made five major acquisitions in four years, entered new markets, and launched innovative new products across the continent. We are looking forward to working with our new shareholder, Network International, to achieve similar success over the coming years.” 

Matteo Stefanel, Managing Partner and Apis Co-Founder said: “Eran and Offer are outstanding and visionary entrepreneurs who have built DPO into a truly world class business in a very short period of time. They exemplify the type of dynamic management teams Apis looks to invest in, and we are very proud to have worked with them and to have been part of the DPO journey. As they embark on the next phase of their journey as part of Network International, I am confident that Eran, Offer and the rest of the DPO team will continue leading the way in the African payments sector.” 

Udayan Goyal, Managing Partner and Apis Co-Founder said: “Africa represents one of the fastest growing and most under-penetrated markets for online payments in the world. Our investment in DPO Group was recognition of this fact and the company’s subsequent rapid growth and ultimate acquisition by Network International speaks to the enormous opportunity within payments across Africa. We believe the combination of DPO Group with Network International will create tremendous value for both businesses as they continue to deliver world-class solutions across African markets.” 

DPO Group will retain its executive team and employees, as it continues to expand and will drive the payments agenda of the larger group within the African continent and the Middle East.  The acquisition will also see DPO Group’s shareholders and executives become key stakeholders in Network International.   

Morgan Stanley acted as the financial advisor to DPO and ENS Africa acted as the legal advisor. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory and anti-trust. 

About DPO Group 

DPO Group is a leading African payment service provider (PSP) which has developed the technology to enable businesses and individuals across the continent to make payments online and offline with all currencies and payment methods.  DPO Group currently works with over 47,000 active merchants, including airlines, hotels, restaurants and travel agents as well as eCommerce all over Africa. The company was founded in 2006 and since then it has grown to be a pan-African PSP with more than 350 employees and a presence in 19 African countries. By providing its merchants of all sizes with the capacity to make and accept payments effortlessly, DPO supports financial inclusion and economic development on the continent. 

DPO operates in the following countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Mauritius, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, DR Congo, Senegal.  www.dpogroup.com 

About Network International 

Network International comprises of a group of companies and is a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, providing a full suite of technology-enabled payments solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all types and sizes, including acquiring and processing services and a comprehensive ever-evolving range of value-added services. 

Network International Holdings Plc is the holding company for Network International and the group companies. 

About Apis Partners LLP 

Apis Partners LLP (www.apis.pe) is a private equity asset manager that supports growth-stage financial services and financial infrastructure businesses by providing them with catalytic growth equity capital.  

Apis Partners LLP, through its team of 26 professionals with deep industry expertise, manages total committed capital from investors (including drawn and invested capital) of ca. US$ 1bn for investments in financial services and technology.   

Apis Partners LLP is highly conscious of the developmental impact that the provision of growth capital for financial services in growth markets can achieve, and as such, financial inclusion is a core tenet of Apis Partners LLP’s approach and investment mandate. 

Contacts: 

Media DPO Group enquiries:  

Anna McShane, Gong Communications 

anna@gongcommunications.com M: +44 (0) 7766 256 538 

Media DPO Group enquiries Kenya only: 

Janet Ndugire, Gong Communications 

E: janet@gongcommunications.com  M: + 254 (0) 721 230 926 

Media DPO Group enquiries South Africa only: 

Elzaan Rohde, Semaphore Communications 

E: elzaan@semaphore.co.za M: +27 (0) 83 256 1493 

Network International media enquiries: 

Finsbury – Public Relations Adviser

James Leviton and Rob Allen 

E:Network-Lon@Finsbury.com 

Commenting on the investment, Offer Gat, the DPO Group Chairman said: “We are excited to include South Africa’s leading online EFT solution, SID, under our group, and have SID founder and innovator, David Liu, join us as a shareholder through this acquisition. SID has been a pioneer in the payments industry for many years and we have no doubt that they will continue to bring new and innovative solutions to our customers and merchants across Africa.”

SID began its operations in 1998 and has been providing secure online card processing to hundreds of South African e-commerce websites since. In 2007, the company launched a secure Secure EFT payment product that allows funds to be transferred online and in real-time from a client to a merchant’s bank account, with the transaction reference controlled by the merchant making reconciliation easy and convenient. SID has enabled merchants across South Africa to collect Secure EFT payments via a website, email or invoice and has become one of the most popular online payment methods in the country.

SID Founder, David Liu said: “the goal has always been to help people buy and sell anywhere, anytime and the DPO Group has a similar vision. By joining the Group, we have no doubt that together, we will achieve one payment solution for Africa.”

SID  is the 4^th acquisition that the DPO Group has made in South Africa following PayGate, PayThru and VCS. The Group was established in Kenya in 2006 and has since expanded to Uganda, Rwanda, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana.

DPO Group CEO, Eran Feinstein said: “Setcom has continuously innovated and achieved impressive results in the South African payment space. We plan to expand and promote SID to all current and future merchants across our markets so that they may offer this payment option to their customers, further helping them to enhance their businesses.”

About Direct Pay Online Group

The DPO Group is the leading payment service provider in Africa serving over 25,000 online merchants including over 50 airlines, thousands of hotels, restaurants, travel agents, tour operators and other players in the e-commerce sector. We accept all major credit cards, mobile money and e-wallets, and are a leader in technology, usability and security across the continent. DPO uses the most sophisticated fraud prevention system for online payments in Africa and holds PCI DSS Level 1 Certification in 12 countries. The Group acquired PayGate South Africa in September 2016, VSC Namibia and Botswana in March 2017, PayThru South Africa in June 2017, and VCS South Africa in August 2017. For more information please visit www.directpay.online, www.paygate.co.za, www.vcs.co.za,  www.paythru.com or www.sidpayment.com.

Anyone who has a credit card risks carrying too much credit card debt. To keep you debt free –  keep in mind the following tips:

Keep an emergency fund

People might create credit card debt after a major car repair or medical expense. Therefore, having an emergency fund helps you avoid such debt, by ensuring that you have cash to use when an emergency arises.

Avoid balance transfers

Don’t transfer balances from card to card to avoid your due dates. If you transfer a balance to another credit card, there must be a good reason, like taking advantage of a lower interest rate. Otherwise, your balance will simply increase because of the balance transfer fee.

Pay your balance in full each month

If you want to avoid credit card debt, pay off your full credit card balance every month. This will eliminate the risk of getting into credit card debt.

Be aware of the signs of credit card debt

If you recognize the early warning signs of credit card debt, you can avoid getting into debt altogether. For example, the inability to pay your full balance is a sign that you are headed for credit card debt.

Understand your credit card terms

It is better to thoroughly read through the credit card agreement to make sure you understand how interest will affect to your account. When will you be charged a fee? When does your interest rate go up? Clarity on such features of your credit card can help you avoid credit card debt, since you understand how using your credit card costs more.

SID Payments allows consumers to pay directly from their bank accounts for online purchases, making it a smart way for shoppers to avoid credit card debt. Since you can make online payments without a credit card, there’s no need to draw on credit when shopping online.

Also, you don’t have to sign up in order to pay with SID, and you will not be charged an additional fee. When completing a payment, your usual internet banking security protects you throughout the transaction, making SID payments safe online payment methods.

For you as a merchant to stand out above the competition, you need to be offer a diverse range of quality products, easy payment methods, and well-thought-out discounts, among other things. Payment is one of the most crucial parts, because without it, the entire buying process is incomplete. So, if you fail to offer an effective and secure online payment option, then, no matter how good your product is, you will be at a loss.

So, what is the possible solution?

The SID Secure EFT account is a highly secure secure EFT solution. It safely collects the payment from the shopper via the merchant’s website, email or invoices, and directly transfers the funds into the merchant’s bank account. We facilitate safe EFT processing with a high level of security, without the need of a credit card.

Merchant Protection Program

SID is independently monitored and verified by leading security and privacy certification specialists and allows payment through South Africa’s most trusted banks.

However, for additional support and guidance, SID has its own merchant protection program with the following unique features:

• 100% guaranteed protection

The company guarantees 100% protection up to a maximum of R10,000.00 in respect of funds not received in the merchant’s bank account when payment is made through SID.

• High customer support

If, for instance, you have received the confirmation of a transaction from SID system, but it does not reflect in your bank account, our customer service team will be there to assist you.

• Dispute resolution on payments

The Dispute Resolution Specialists collect all information about your transactions and help you resolve any issue smoothly. You will be advised of your claim’s status via email throughout the process.

• Filing claim

Through the merchant complaint process, one can issue formal complaints regarding payment confirmation received via SID, but never reflected in the bank account. We make all effort to reimburse the funds at the earliest.

Merchants will benefit from such a secure and transparent EFT system. So, hold your search for EFT payment solutions and engage with us if you want to stay ahead in this fast-moving world of e-commerce business.

As long as a shopper has an account with one of South Africa’s major banks such as ABSA, Capitec Bank, FNB, Investec, Nedbank and Standard Bank, such transactions are possible.

Introducing SID Secure EFT account, product of a well-known South African Payment Gateway, it makes it possible for your customers to make easy, hassle-free payments when shopping via your online store.

Here are a few facts that you need to know as to why SID Secure EFT will benefit your e-commerce business regardless of its size:

• SID Secure EFT makes instant payments possible. You can easily track all the payments made by your customers.
• There is a reduction in human error as the matching of payments is done automatically without the need for human intervention.
• It is a safe online payment method. No credit or debit card details are entered, thus reducing the risk of criminals getting hold of your confidential information.
• The payments received are 100% guaranteed. In addition, payments received are deposited directly into your bank account in real time.
• Your customers can complete mobile or online payment quickly and efficiently.

Try it out today for easy, quick and effective online payments for your convenient transactions.