EBANX Brings Open Banking to South Africa via Capitec Pay
Integration Marks EBANX’s First Open Banking answer Outside Brazil
EBANX, the global payments platform focused on emerging markets, has announced a strategic partnership with Capitec Pay, the open banking-powered payment method developed by South Africa’s largest retail bank. The collaboration introduces real-time, account-to-account (A2A) payments into cross-border digital commerce in South Africa, marking EBANX’s first open banking rollout outside Brazil.
The deal means global merchants across retail, streaming, gaming, SaaS, and subscription services can now offer South African consumers a seamless, secure, and card-free payment option. For EBANX, the move extends its reach in Africa by embedding itself into the country’s rapidly evolving payments landscape.
Access To Millions Of South African Consumers
Capitec Pay already reaches 24 million users, or 57% of South Africa’s adult population, including 13 million mobile app customers. This scale matters in a country where just 10% of adults have ever used a credit card, according to the World Bank. For merchants, the to a far broader customer base while meeting demand for mobile-first, frictionless payments.
According to EBANX’s research, Capitec Pay also delivers exceptional performance, with conversion rates above 85%, typically higher than credit cards and other alternative payment methods.
Meeting Demand In A Growing Digital Market
South Africa’s digital commerce sector is expanding rapidly. As Wiza Jalakasi, EBANX’s Director of Africa Expansion, noted: “South Africa stands out as one of Africa’s quickest-growing digital markets, with a digital commerce penetration rate of rate of 18% through 2027.”
Jalakasi emphasized that the Capitec Pay integration unlocks access for “over 20 million South African consumers to global digital commerce, enabling merchants to tap into a tech-savvy, mobile-first audience.”
A Consumer-First Approach To Open Banking
Capitec Pay is built on secure APIs and consent-based authentication. Consumers authorize payments directly through their Capitec mobile app, removing the need to share sensitive information. It also supports Variable Recurring Payments, making it ideal for subscriptions.
Chris Zietsman, Executive Head of Capitec Business Payments, said: “Our partnership with EBANX marks a significant step in democratizing access to global digital commerce for South Africans. With EBANX, we are not only extending this commitment to cross-border transactions but also setting a new in the region.”
For merchants, Capitec Pay’s model reduces fraud risks, improves settlement times, and lowers costs compared to card-based payments—advantages that are particularly attractive in cross-border commerce.
Open Banking Takes The Spotlight At EBANX Payments Summit
The partnership will be highlighted at the upcoming EBANX Payments Summit in Mexico City, September 17–20, 2025. Chris Zietsman will deliver a keynote on the rise of cardless, real-time payments in South Africa, underlining how local payment innovations are reshaping global e-commerce strategies.
The event will also showcase how localizing payment experiences is essential to unlocking cross-border growth, especially in high-potential markets such as South Africa, where card penetration lags but mobile adoption is strong.
Broader Context
The reflects a broader global trend: open banking is moving from pilot projects into mainstream digital commerce. For South Africa, the partnership signals the potential of A2A payments to reduce dependence on cards and cash, accelerate financial inclusion, and .
For EBANX, the move reinforces its strategy of localizing payments in emerging markets by tailoring answers to the realities of each region. With open banking gaining traction worldwide, Capitec Pay may be the first of many such integrations in EBANX’s global portfolio.
