E-commerce sales to account for 18% of retail sales worldwide in 2021

Bringing cash into digital commerce is considered the “last mile of payments” and currently considered the biggest growth opportunity in this sector. An example of a physical voucher that can be redeemed as a debit card payment in online stores is 1ForYou, which will be launched officially in 2022 and offer card vouchers in spaza shops throughout South Africa.

“It could be a game changer,” says Rahul Jain, CEO of Peach Payments, the e-commerce retail experts behind this new initiative. “Cash is still the predominant payment method in the informal economy. We are always looking out for ways to make it easier for business owners to bring their stores and services online and become formal businesses that can build credit history and give them access to a broader set of financial tools and services that then can help them scale.”

Jain is part of a who’s who expert line-up from the e-commerce space, including Woolworths, Massmart, Dischem and AutoTrader, who will share their exclusive insights, case studies and expertise at the upcoming ECOM Africa, a full day virtual event set to run next Tuesday, 21 Sep 2021.

The Peach Payments executive sees digital retail increasingly embedding itself into social media. Jain explains: “Watch how Facebook, Instagram and TikTok all start to make it easier and easier to buy your favourite items -- sneakers, jewellery, football kits -- directly from their platforms. Also, several companies are working on building a “super app” with all the features of a mall and a bank together. Look for this to finally build some traction in the coming years.”

E-commerce 18% of retail sales worldwide

“COVID-19 has pushed companies over the technology tipping point, transforming business forever,” says Terry Southam, the MD of ECOM Africa.

He adds: “companies have accelerated the digitisation of their customer and supply-chain interactions and of their internal operations by years. It is believed that the share of digital or digitally enabled products in their portfolios has accelerated by as much as seven years. To stay competitive in this new business and economic environment requires new strategies and practices.”

In 2021, e-commerce sales are expected to account for 18.1% of retail sales worldwide. It is estimated that there will be 2.14 billion global digital buyers. In retrospect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid acceleration in digital transformation, the ECOM Africa speakers will deconstruct the strategies they have been successful with and how they are preparing for the next wave in e-commerce.

The speaker line-up includes:

• Hanz Rauch, Head of Digital Product for Online, Woolworths
• Rahul Jain, CEO, Peach Payments
• George Mienie, CEO, AutoTrader
• Paul Cook, CEO, Faithful To Nature
• Lynton Peters, CEO, OneCart
• Johann Van Tonder, COO, AWA digital
• Paris Philippou, VP: Game Ecommerce and Digital, Massmart
• Farai Zaranhyika, Head of Ecommerce/Online, Dischem
• Warrick Kernes, CEO, Insaka
• Phil Marais, Head of Africa and Brazil Supply Chain, Cotton On
• Peter Allerstorfer, UCOOK

Key topics

The conference will unpack key topics within the e-commerce space, speaking directly to business operations, store design and optimisation, fulfilment and logistics, payments and security, and marketing and brand building. Attendees can expect to hear case studies on:

• Agile product management
• Secure payments with digital identities
• Inclusion of the informal economy in digital payments
• Business operations and infrastructure
• Fulfilment and logistics
• Conversion rate optimisation
• Commerce media and how to target buyers to deliver rich experiences
• Developing omni-channel strategies
• Leveraging data in digital marketing

Sponsors include Peach Payments, VISA, Freshworks, LexisNexis, uAfrica, AWA digital, RAM, and Criteo who will have a strong presence throughout the event. They will share their experiences with the audiences and will be able to interact digitally with them. The digital platform allows them capabilities to connect with potential customers through virtual exhibition booths, virtual networking, contact swops and educational keynotes and panel discussions.

Next week’s ECOM Africa will be the seventh edition of this flagship, specialist gathering in the e-commerce, retail, and fintech sector.

Register and contacts
To join 1000+ attendees for a full day of in-depth keynotes, panel discussions, online networking and live Q&A sessions, register here.

ECOM Africa dates and location:

• Live virtual event: 21 September 2021

Website: https://ecommerce-africa.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/eCommerceConfex
Facebook:  ECOM Africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecomafricaconfex/

Media contacts:
Adam Fletcher, Chief Marketing Officer, ECOM Africa
Mobile: 071 130 9160
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Annemarie Roodbol
Mobile: 082 562 7844
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Keeping abreast of technology changes affecting the banking landscape is tough. From AI and machine learning to mobile, fintechs, digital, data, cloud and many more, new developments are happening all the time.One option in making things a little bit easier to understand is to attend TCI’s upcoming BankTech Southern Africa 2020 Conference.

The BankTech 2020 conference is the only event in SA which will address the pitfalls of legacy systems and empower attendees with the right set of insights to negotiate dealing with and improving legacy systems without impacting on operations.

This event is taking place on 26 & 27 February 2020 at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg will feature close to 30 top speakers, eight sessions and a panel discussion. Attending this event will provide the ideal platform to attendees to get the latest news regarding technology developments – both locally and international.

Here are a few topics to be addresses at this event:

• Digital implementation within finance
• Why technology adoption is mandatory
• Disruption of fintechs in the financial industry
• Using behavioural economics to increase the uptake of digital banking platforms
• Fostering business growth through open banking
• How artificial intelligence will benefit financial services
• Exploiting traditional information technology frameworks in governing new technologies
• Addressing regulatory challenges through technology
• Automating fraud detection and prevention
• Embracing cloud in emerging financial services
• Deployment of traditional payment solutions in the cloud
• Big data, analytics and technology
• Data governance implications of moving to the cloud

With more than 100 banking conferences held, Trade Conferences International has for the past 10 years become the leading banking conference organiser in South Africa. With signature events such as Mobile Banking, Payments Southern Africa, Transaction Banking, AML & Financial Crime and Big Data and Analytics in Banking, TCI became a trusted conference organiser for the financial industry.

Normal registration fee: R9 500 + VAT = R10 925 p.p 

10% group registrations (3 or more): R8 550 + VAT = R9 832.50

15% group registration (5 or more): R8 075 + VAT = R9 286.25

To register as a delegate e-mail Project Manager Bandile Ngobese on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities e-mail: Ryno van Ellewee on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 011 803-1553/0009.

JOHANNESBURG-South African businesses need to capitalize on the potential that exists in bio-metric enabled cashless transactions as they can now embed Software Development Kits, SDKs, into their own apps to biometrically enable the apps to validate identities while a customer is registering, logging on or processing a cashless transaction. Business Development Director for local bio-metric authentication specialists, Fides Cloud Technologies, Craig Hills says, “the major barrier to the adoption of bio-metrics for retail and other transactional activities in the last decade has been the need for additional hardware to verify identities but with modern SDK’s, that can be a thing of the past.”

Hills, who will be speaking on the subject of Bio-metrics in the cashless system and future possibilities at the 2019 Cashless Payments Summit taking place at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on the 7th and 8th of November, added that the introduction of relatively cheap smartphones with cameras which have sufficient quality to capture a bio-metric image, has allowed for bio-metrics to be included in any customer engagement strategies both in branch and remotely at retail shops.

Still on how retail service providers can benefit from modern cashless payment systems which are constantly innovating, innovative bitcoin company Centbee CEO, Angus Brown, said “retailers and other businesses need to take advantage of the fact that South Africans are in the top five global adopters of cryptocurrency.”   

Looking at how some retailers, especially smaller one’s view cryptocurrencies, Brown said, ‘They do not need to understand how cryptocurrencies work – they just need a Bitcoin Payment Processor, which acts like an acquiring bank to handle all this for them”.

Brown, who will also be speaking at the 2019 Cashless Payments Summit said paying by scanning a QR code is becoming ubiquitous and in some countries is now the de-facto payment type while BitcoinSV is currently processing at the speed of thousands of transactions per second, and provides instant confirmation – completely suitable as a payments clearing and settlement network.

This year, the Cashless Payments Summit, being organized by Vukani Communications will also feature speakers like Farieda Mayet from Huawei who will showcase new developments in technological infrastructure that enable a successful digital economy, Brett Williams from Zapper will be evaluating how and why banks and retailers need to collaborate in the cashless system.  Arthur Matsaudza from stock exchange listed digital solutions giant, Cassava Smartech, which owns Ecocash will be looking at the constant race to innovate, deliver and thrive despite a myriad of operational challenges in the cashless sphere while Reneitte Van der Merwe from ABSA, will be talking about cashless payments in the informal economy. Tracey Sibanda for Vukani Communications

Global commercial giants descend on Cape Town for the continent’s largest ecommerce gathering.  

Cape Town, South Africa: More than 300 companies within the African ecommerce ecosystem will gather in Cape Town on the 19th and 20th March to review the latest technology influencing online retail and fulfillment. Attendees will learn how to leverage the rapid growth of cross border payments; customer security and how African companies can compete with the likes of Amazon.  

The experts guiding the 2019 event are global leaders and game changers shaping the ecommerce landscape well beyond Africa. Google, Naspers, DHL and Jumia are among the giants who will be shaping the discussion. “The collection of thought leaders and the topics under discussion this year are aimed at creating an immediate impact for African ecommerce companies. From marketing to fulfilment, the world’s best will be on stage sharing best practice and innovative hacks to drive online growth”   

“It is quite remarkable to have all of these industry leaders on the same stage not only willing to share but actively working to grow the industry and ensure African customers receive a world class online shopping experience.” Terry Southam, Kinetic Managing Director. 

DHL partners with the conference for the second year running, extending their commitment to driving innovation within the fulfilment space as Lead Sponsor of the Show.  

Steve Burd, Vice President Sales for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, explains that the ongoing partnership between DHL and eCommerce Africa is a good fit. “As the market leaders in express logistics in Africa, we have extensive first-hand experience of the positive impact that ecommerce has on the continent. The massive growth in cross-border and international ecommerce in Africa sees DHL working with thousands more customers across the continent each year, helping them to expand their brand across borders.” 

He adds that the development of ecommerce in Africa continues to unlock major opportunities for growth. “E-commerce allows entrepreneurs and SMEs to connect with a large customer base and scale up rapidly which accelerates the need for support services. E-commerce growth therefore has a ripple-effect on many other industries on the continent.” 

“DHL’s partnership with eCommerce Africa provides us with an additional platform to connect with organisations and help them to understand key logistics considerations, and learn how to plan for and overcome any logistical challenges,” adds Burd. 

eCommerce Africa 2019 has taken additional care this year to ensure an event that is accessible to an extended audience, by offering an additional track agenda on the expo floor that educates business owners on how an effective ecommerce strategy can grow their business.  This agenda offers everything that startups and smaller businesses need to kick start and rapidly scale their business. These tickets are available at an inclusive price of only ZAR 350, to ensure every startup, small business owner and ecommerce dreamer has the opportunity to participate. 

Follow @eCommerceConfex on Twitter and join the conversation using the #ECO19 hashtag or register for the event here. 

For more information, please contact:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+27 (0) 21 180 470014 Pickwick Road, Salt River, Cape Town. 

ABOUT KINETIC

Kinetic is a proudly South African conferencing company with an international footprint across East, West and Southern Africa. As the proud leader of the CX, ecommerce and IT conferencing industries, we strive to accelerate corporate and personal growth by connecting people, connecting companies and facilitating meaningful business connections.Established in 2008, we have produced over 100 conferences and exhibitions that have hosted over 100 000 delegates, 5000 speakers and 450 sponsors. Our mission is to inspire change in the industries we service, by leaving our delegates with fresh insights, new perspectives and real business opportunities. 

ENDS

With easiPoint from RubiBlue, customers can pay for services from anywhere in Africa Johannesburg, South Africa 22 March 2018: easiPoint, an inventive solution to a uniquely African problem, allows businesses to collect, record and receive customer payments from any location on the continent.

Using the easiPoint device developed by RubiBlue, a leading intelligent business solutions organisation, companies can capture data and transact with clients even if they are based in difficult to reach and remote areas.

“With easiPoint, you can build your brand with your clients anywhere in Africa,” says Chris Ogden, Managing Director, RubiBlue. “Thanks to its ubiquity, intelligent design and remote connectivity capabilities, it allows for organisations to gain traction in new market sectors, source payments from clients in remote areas and even create new outlets in spaces that were previously considered too far or out of range.

The easPoint device is designed for the demanding African climate – it consumes minimal data, has a full two-day battery life, includes solar and car chargers to ensure easy access to recharging facilities, can print anywhere in the world with a built-in thermal printer, and comes at a superb price point. With easiPoint, the business can manage and reconcile all payment methods while enjoying the flexibility of mobility, capture and collect information in real time, and launch the solution seamlessly across the business in days.

“We created easiPoint to provide for organisations that needed greater reach into the South African market and richer access to its client base,” says Ogden.

“We realised that one of the biggest challenges facing many organisations was the inability to handle financial transactions or manage payments when a significant portion of their clients were located in rural or out of reach locations. Using easiPoint, any business of any size can now transact, capture data, and sell products and services to customers across the country.” easiPoint has a track record that spans more than ten years, each year introducing new refinements and capabilities to the technology and the devices. To find out more about easiPoint visit http://www.easipoint.co.za, call 0861 48 48 99, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About RubiBlue
RubiBlue provides a range of solutions and services that are ideally suited to subscriber-based companies in Africa. Our comprehensive portfolio of services and our extensive technology-driven expertise help companies streamline their business processes and create customised, simplified and secure backend administration solutions. RubiBlue is committed to providing solutions that make your business operations more cost-effective and efficient. To find out more about RubiBlue and how it can work with your business to create intelligent technology, visit www.rubiblue.com, call 27 (0) 861 48 48 99, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PayApp has launched DigiBanQ, the first digital-only, digital currency bank, built on cutting edge mobile-first web technology, integrating seamlessly into the customer's digital lives, both customers and merchants can register online or on a mobile device in 90 seconds flat without downloading anything.

PayApp DigibanQ offers everyday banking options via current and savings/deposits accounts, with the ability to be able to pay digitally direct from any internet enabled device, furthermore, customers will be able to make payments to anyone, anywhere, anytime simply by using a mobile number either on the web-app or via USSD.

With PayApp DigiBanQ there is no minimum balance requirement, no maintenance fees, and 0% transaction fees. A customer/Merchants account number is their mobile phone number, this is also used for customer authentication together with strict digital core infrastructure security, making the platform extremely secure.

Brian Dalton, a founder of PayApp DigiBanQ, said: “The launch of DigiBank marks an important step in the evolution of the global digital currency market. DigiBanQ’s currency “Nuggets” has been developed to be highly stable in stark contrast to the volatility of both fiat and all other digital currencies. The differentiation is that Nuggets is designed as a transactional currency and not as a speculative currency.

Contact details:

Brian Dalton, CEO
tel 012 994 4713
mobile 0840867895
email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
webiste www.payapp.co.za