Counting the real cost of cash in South Africa
Cash is still king in South Africa. But according to Anton van der Merwe, COO of leading pan-African fintech enablement partner, Ukheshe Technologies, its long reign is increasingly under threat as businesses and consumers begin counting the real, hidden costs behind cash transactions.
Whether its via cash, credit card, QR, crypto, or a smartphone wallet, financial transactions all take place within a complex system. Some parts of that system make use of coins, notes, or physical cards, while other parts of the system digitally move money between buyers, sellers, banks and other parties. Every payment method comes with its own set of costs. As digital payments become more convenient, cheaper, more prevalent, and ultimately, the preferred way to trade, any perceived benefits of cash will ...