Financial Cards and Payments in South Africa

Despite a steady increase in real GDP growth in 2024, South African households still faced financial challenges. This struggle was highlighted by persistently high unemployment rates, which remained above 30%, forcing over 20% of households to rely on social grants. The challenges were exacerbated by a prolonged 15-year high interest rate, resulting in many mid-income families finding it increasingly difficult to repay asset-backed debts, such as mortgages, due to shrinking disposable incomes. H...

Euromonitor International's Financial Cards and Payments in South Africa report establishes the size and structure of the market for ATMs cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, pre-paid cards and store cards. It looks at key players in the market (issuers and operators), number of cards in circulation, numbers transactions and value of transactions. It offers strategic analysis of sector forecasts and trends to watch.

Product coverage: Financial Cards in Circulation, Mobile Payments, Transactions.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

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* Get a detailed picture of the Financial Cards and Payments market;
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Financial Cards and Payments in South Africa
Euromonitor International
February 2025
List Of Contents And Tables
FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Financial cards and payments in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
PayShap gains momentum as demand for instant payment rises
Market remains consolidated despite intensified competition
What next for financial cards and payments?
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 1 Number of POS Terminals: Units 2019-2024
Table 2 Number of ATMs: Units 2019-2024
Table 3 Value Lost to Fraud 2019-2024
Table 4 Card Expenditure by Location 2024
Table 5 Financial Cards in Circulation by Type: % Number of Cards 2019-2024
Table 6 Domestic versus Foreign Spend 2024
MARKET DATA
Table 7 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 8 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2019-2024
Table 9 Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 10 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2019-2024
Table 11 Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 12 Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2019-2024
Table 13 M-Commerce by Category: Value 2019-2024
Table 14 M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 15 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 16 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 17 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 18 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 19 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 20 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2024-2029
Table 21 Forecast Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 22 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2024-2029
Table 23 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 24 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2024-2029
Table 25 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: Value 2024-2029
Table 26 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 1 Research Sources
DEBIT CARDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Demand for debit cards rises alongside banked population
Capitec looks to strengthen its position as a debit card issuer
Increasing number of South Africans embrace digital wallets
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Debit cards will continue to benefit from boost to financial inclusion
Competition will intensify as neobanks expand and new players enter
PayShap’s expansion could impact demand for debit cards
CATEGORY DATA
Table 27 Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 28 Debit Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 29 Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 30 Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 31 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 32 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 33 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 34 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 35 Forecast Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 36 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 37 Forecast Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 38 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
CREDIT CARDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Increasing number of households rely on credit cards to meet month-end commitments
Banks extend specific services to entry-level credit cards
Buy Now Pay Later continues to gain share from credit cards
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Demand for credit cards will continue to grow over the forecast period
Fintech development will intensify competition as demand from SMEs rises
Buy Now Pay Later will continue to tap into personal credit cards
CATEGORY DATA
Table 39 Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 40 Credit Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 41 Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 42 Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 43 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 44 Commercial Credit Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 45 Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 46 Commercial Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 47 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 48 Personal Credit Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 49 Personal Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 50 Personal Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 51 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 52 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 53 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 54 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 55 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 56 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 57 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 58 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 59 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 60 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 61 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 62 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 63 Forecast Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 64 Forecast Credit Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 65 Forecast Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 66 Forecast Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 67 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 68 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 69 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 70 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 71 Forecast Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 72 Forecast Personal Credit Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 73 Forecast Personal Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 74 Forecast Personal Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
CHARGE CARDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Recovery of charge cards hindered by economic constraints
Competitive landscape of charge cards remains consolidated among two operators
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Change in consumer behaviour could create headwinds
Diners Club likely to gain ground as American Express shifts priorities
CATEGORY DATA
Table 75 Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 76 Charge Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 77 Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 78 Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 79 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 80 Commercial Charge Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 81 Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 82 Commercial Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 83 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 84 Personal Charge Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 85 Personal Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 86 Personal Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 87 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 88 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 89 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 90 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 91 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 92 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 93 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 94 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 95 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 96 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 97 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 98 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 99 Forecast Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 100 Forecast Charge Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 101 Forecast Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 102 Forecast Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 103 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 104 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 105 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 106 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 107 Forecast Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 108 Forecast Personal Charge Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 109 Forecast Personal Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 110 Forecast Personal Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
PRE-PAID CARDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
South African Post Office (SAPO) loses ground as system glitch persists
MTN diversifies offerings as partnership with Mastercard strengthens
PASA starts migrating magnetic stripe fleet to EMV cards
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Postbank will reshape competitiveness by taking over SASSA cards
Digitalised remittance cards set to benefit from diversified offerings
Expansion in infrastructure will continue to boost transportation cards
CATEGORY DATA
Table 111 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 112 Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 113 Pre-paid Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 114 Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 115 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 116 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 117 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 118 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 119 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 120 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 121 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 122 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 123 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 124 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 125 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 126 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 127 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 128 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2019-2023
Table 129 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 130 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2019-2023
Table 131 Forecast Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 132 Forecast Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 133 Forecast Pre-paid Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 134 Forecast Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 135 Forecast Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 136 Forecast Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 137 Forecast Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 138 Forecast Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029
STORE CARDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Demand for store cards rises as households remain financially constrained
Increasing number of retailers embrace Buy Now Pay Later
Massmart introduces virtual store cards
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Store cards will benefit from strategic positioning
Increasing number of retailers set to join forces with Buy Now Pay Later services
Competition will further intensify among virtual cards
CATEGORY DATA
Table 139 Store Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2019-2024
Table 140 Store Cards Transactions 2019-2024
Table 141 Store Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 142 Store Cards Transactions: % Growth 2019-2024
Table 143 Store Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 144 Store Cards: Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2019-2023
Table 145 Forecast Store Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2024-2029
Table 146 Forecast Store Cards Transactions 2024-2029
Table 147 Forecast Store Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2024-2029
Table 148 Forecast Store Cards Transactions: % Growth 2024-2029

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