Digital mobile payment platform Apple Pay is now available in South Africa, according to several banks across the country – Absa, Discovery Bank, and Nedbank customers.

Apple Pay allows users to load a supported banking card and use their Apple device – such as an iPhone or cellular Apple Watch.

“As the affinity for digital payments grows in the South African market, we strive to ensure that we continue to provide our clients with the most recent and in-demand contactless payment solutions,” Chipo Mushwana, Nedbank’s chief of emerging payments.

The popularity of contactless payment systems has surged during the coronavirus pandemic, both in South Africa and globally. In addition to Apple Pay, South African consumers also have access to Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, and Garmin Pay — all of which launched in 2018.
South Africa has also become the first country on the continent to get Apple Pay support. Apple maintains a list of all regions that supported the payment platform on its website.