Digital fintech enablement provider Ukheshe Technologies and Infobip, a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected customer experiences, say they have developed South Africa’s very first WhatsApp payment gateway. It is to be used by mobile operator Telkom.
In addition to being South Africa’s first, the partners claim that the solution is also the first WhatsApp channel to enable payments using QR.
The project and collaboration with Infobip form part of Ukheshe’s objective of expanding its international reach as a solution-driven B2B provider of digital-first payment solutions that enable banks, telcos and fintechs to provide banking and payment services to their customers through a solution called Chat Banking.
Infobip’s deployment of a WhatsApp Business API solution leveraged by Ukheshe’s Eclipse API integration is described as a first of its kind – allowing mobile operator customers to send money to anyone with a mobile number quickly and securely with no need for another app or any additional software.
As integration partners for the project, Ukheshe and Infobip also provide an intuitive chatbot service to ensure mobile operator customers receive timely assistance to queries and personalised follow-up customer service should they require.
The chat banking solution gives end customers access to the internet, and an efficient and secure digital wallet, while meeting Know your Customer (KYC) requirements. The digital wallet will also be able to link to other cards, add virtual cards, pay or receive payment with a QR code, send money, make cash withdrawals or pay for goods.
Ukheshe adds that the service offering of the digital wallet platform will be extended to accommodate the issuing of virtual cards.