Mukuru and Payfast Unlock E-Commerce for Cash-Paying South Africans

A transformative partnership between Mukuru and Payfast by Network is revolutionizing e-commerce in South Africa by enabling millions of cash-reliant consumers to shop online—bridging the gap between the informal cash economy and the digital marketplace.

Through MukuruPay (MPay), cash-first customers—who make up over 13 million South Africans according to the 2024 SBV Cash Survey—can now participate in online shopping by using Mukuru’s vast physical network of over 11,000 payment points across the country, including major retailers like Spar, Shoprite, Pick n’ Pay, and Boxer.

South Africa’s e-commerce sector has long excluded this segment due to the dominance of digital payment methods. A recent Payfast “State of Pay” report ranks cash as the fourth most preferred payment method, yet it remains critical in informal and rural economies. The partnership between Mukuru and Payfast addresses this disconnect head-on.

“South Africa’s e-commerce cannot accept only cards and digital payment methods like EFTs or wallets,” said Timothee Dura, Head of Merchant Payments at Mukuru. “We are bridging the digital divide by meeting cash-first consumers where they are—offering them convenience and access to goods and services that were previously out of reach.”

Here’s how it works: after selecting Mukuru as a payment option at checkout on a participating online store, customers receive a unique order number valid for 36 hours. They then pay in cash at any Mukuru partner outlet. Once payment is received, the system instantly notifies the merchant for prompt order fulfillment.

For merchants, MPay offers a way to reduce cash handling, avoid cash-on-delivery risks, and tap into a sizable, previously excluded customer base. Sectors already showing strong adoption include fashion, digital goods, groceries, education, and bill payments.

Dura added, “The increasing adoption of MPay on Payfast reflects our belief that cash-first customers are essential to South Africa’s e-commerce economy. We’re creating safe, regulated, and inclusive pathways for underserved communities to join the digital economy.”