Information and technology communication group Vodacom’s VodaPay Super App presents an opportunity for new and established businesses and developers to build their own “mini programmes” within a high-technology, scalable digital mall.

Vodacom Financial Services partnered with global digital lifestyle services platform Alipay to develop VodaPay into an all-encompassing mobile payments solution that has been customised to meet the specific lifestyle and payment needs of consumers, businesses and technology developers.

The Super App enables businesses of all sizes to leverage technology to accelerate digital engagement and increase access to market, with “endless possibilities” for acquiring new customers, trading and advertising through so-called mini programmes.

Vodacom Financial Services has fully integrated the mini programme technology into the South African payment environment to ensure interoperability within the local market, says Vodacom Financial and Digital Services CEO Mariam Cassim, noting that VodaPay provides the infrastructure on which merchants and consumers transact, managing all the login, authorisation and payments processing aspects of their transactions.

Businesses also have access to next-generation recommendation engines and data analytics to deliver personalised offers to customers, as well as simplified checkout options and advertising capabilities to drive sales.

Mini programmes can accept both physical and online payments from customers with the in-app VodaPay digital wallet, and a choice is available for customers to pay upfront, with rewards or with payment terms such as buy-now-pay-later and nano credit offerings.

“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. This is to further enhance digital inclusion in South Africa,” Cassim says.

The arrival of Vodacom’s VodaPay Super App is set to be a game changer for driving financial inclusion and economic growth in South Africa, says Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub, adding that significant strides have been made to develop the technology solution into one that will transform the fintech ecosystem in South Africa.

“These third-party downloadable subapplications run within the VodaPay Super App and are available to all consumers to enhance their lifestyle. Best of all, building a mini programme on the platform is quick, easy and cost-effective.

If we are to drive financial inclusion and go even further together, we want to offer the capabilities of the VodaPay mini programmes to as many businesses of all sizes across multiple industries as possible.” \

More than 70 businesses have already signed up, are building or have committed to build their own mini programmes in the Super App, including Makro, Builders Warehouse, Clicks, Edgars, Game, Exclusive Books, Big Blue, Flightsite, Dollar Thrifty, Westpack, Petzone, One Cart, Netflorist, Kit Kat Cash & Carry, Droppa, Planet54, Jacaranda FM, KFC, Booking.com, TravelStart, Hannah Lavery, Michelle Ludek, To Be Gift Boxes and Afritrails, besides others.