Payments in 2026: The shifts that will define SA’s digital economy
South Africa’s business scene is characterised by exciting possibilities. Favourable economic conditions are signalling the potential that local enterprises possess. For many, it’s a chance to take stock, align themselves with current conditions, and capitalise on new...
Global instability raises the bar for fintech delivery
South Africa’s fintech industry is navigating an unusual paradox. Charl Kleynhans, Altron Fintech senior manager: implementations Locally, most systems hum along smoothly – banks are stable, regulators are predictable, and digital adoption continues. Having proven...
When banking apps fail, customer trust is the casualty
South Africans have embraced digital banking as part of everyday life. From paying bills and sending instant payments to managing investments and applying for credit, the banking app has become the primary touchpoint between customer and institution. By Nitesh Singh,...
R800bn at stake: The urgency of SARS tax modernisation
In his State of the Nation address on 12 February 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa set out several bold strategies to underpin South Africa’s growth and development – expensive strategies that are likely to apply pressure on the government’s fiscus. By Shannon...
Anytime fitness prioritises payment performance
Fitness brand Anytime Fitness has partnered with NjiaPay, a payment performance partner, as part of its expansion in South Africa. South Africa’s fitness sector is expanding rapidly, with the market expected to contribute more than $170,1-million between 2024 and...
FNB extends digital services for stokvel banking
FNB has launched an enhancement to its Stokvel digital account offering, enabling members to open accounts entirely through the FNB app and online banking platform. This completes the bank's digital transformation journey for stokvels, effectively making the account...
Insurers looking to build trust, value in AI
The insurance business is built on trust. Likewise, AI cannot work without trust; users and consumers have to believe that it’s providing accurate answers based on sound data. But as a new SAS report shows, trust in AI is a tricky subject, with users placing more...
The year ahead for fintech
Looking ahead to 2026, fintech is set to transform how financial services are delivered and accessed, driven by rapid technological innovation and evolving market dynamics. By Lerato Lamola, partner at Webber Wentzel Key areas such as machine learning, payments,...
Mastercard launches Agent Suite
The agentic era has arrived, and while businesses know they must keep pace with rapid change, not all businesses have the tools to start. Mastercard has announced a suite of services to help customers take actionable steps to integrate agentic AI into their daily...
Tackling SA’s debt trap: Why better data and teamwork matter
South Africa’s credit landscape is evolving rapidly. As household finances remain under pressure and demand for short-term credit accelerates, alternative and non-bank lenders are playing an increasingly central role in meeting consumer needs. By Fatgie Adams, head of...
What to expect from crypto in 2026
The first weeks of 2026 have delivered a strong signal about the crypto year ahead. Crypto markets have broadly rallied, with many assets showing price jumps of more than 10% over seven days. By Christo de Wit, country manager at Luno Bitcoin climbed above $95 000...
How 2026 will stitch together the future of payments
Looking back on the payments industry in 2025, the year was defined by the long-anticipated completion of SWIFT’s global migration to the ISO 20022 messaging standard, as well as the “summer of digital currencies” - where discussions around stablecoins and other...