Google Wallet launches in South Africa as digital payments boom

(Reuters) – Alphabet Inc launched Google Pockets in South Africa on Tuesday, because the tech big tries to realize a foothold within the nation’s quickly rising digital funds area.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to digital transactions and other people more and more favor making contactless funds by way of their good gadgets. Excessive smartphone penetration has additionally helped adoption charges.

The Google Pockets app shops a shopper’s credit score or debit card info and permits buyers to pay for items by tapping their telephone in opposition to a retail retailer’s level of sale on the checkout counter.

From Tuesday, cardholders of FirstRand Financial institution, Discovery Financial institution, Investec, Commonplace Financial institution, ABSA and Nedbank will be capable to add their playing cards to Google Pockets, Google stated.

They are going to then be capable to pay with their Android telephones or use OS gadgets the place contactless funds are accepted.

Final yr, rival Apple Inc launched its Apple Pay cellular fee system in South Africa.

(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Modifying by Anait Miridzhanian and Jan Harvey)