Apple Pay is Apple’s payment and digital wallet. It is a mobile payment and digital wallet service through which Apple users can make payments on iOS apps, on the web using its Safari app and is supported on Apple’s iPhone, smartwatch, iPad and Mac. Apple Pay was officially released in 2014 and is easy to use, is contactless and secure.
Apple users in Africa’s most advanced country; South Africa, can now make all their mobile payments using the Apple Pay platform. Apple Pay was recently launched in the country and this is the first time the service will be available in Africa. What this means is that South Africans who use Apple’s products like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch can now pay for services on various iOS apps and at Tap and Pay NFC terminals.
To access the Apple Pay service, a bank card is needed. For now, three South African banks have been listed on Apple’s website as partners supporting the Apple Pay service. It is no surprise that they are Absa, Discovery Bank and Ned Bank. While Absa and Discovery Bank only support Visa cards, Nedbank; one of the top banks in South Africa supports Visa cards, MasterCard and American Express cards.
Apple Pay is here, and it’s brought to you by Discovery Bank. Apple users with a Discovery Bank card can now enjoy a safer and more convenient way to pay. Plus, they will continue enjoying all the rewards they usually get with a Discovery Bank card. The future of Banking. Now pic.twitter.com/R03alIsY6g
A Tweet by Discovery Bank said, “Apple Pay is here and it’s brought to you by Discovery Bank. Apple users with a Discovery Bank card can now enjoy a safer and more convenient way to pay. Plus, they will continue enjoying all the rewards they usually get with a Discovery Bank card. The future of Banking. Now”
Other banks are to join the service soon. First National Bank which is one of the country’s oldest and biggest banks was not present at the launch but according to Business Insider, the bank is working with partnering with the service. Investec Bank has also announced that it is working on enabling payment with its card on the platform.
Apple’s Pay joins Samsung Pay in the business of providing contactless payment options. Samsung Pay already partners with the three banks currently partnering with Apple Pay, and other banks like First National Bank, Investec and Standard Bank. Apple Pay also recently started accepting cryptocurrency on its platform. With Apple Pay available in South Africa, one is left to wonder how long it’ll take to get to Nigeria.
Ibhadojemu Lucky Emmanuel is a graduate of Education and Economics from the University of Benin. He has a passion for tech and business and has been writing professionally for over a period of five years. He's written across various topics and segments and knew tech-business was it when he first stumbled on it. He has a great passion for music and arts, and wants to visit as many countries as he can someday.
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