Payfast by Network Report 2025: Powering Economic Growth Through Evolving Payments
Digital payments are no longer a trend; they’re the engine of South Africa’s economic growth.
In the fifth edition of the Payfast by Network State of Pay, we unpack how digital payment solutions are helping South African small businesses unlock financial inclusion, drive resilience and fuel long-term growth. This year’s theme, Powering Economic Growth Through Evolving Payments, reflects how merchants are using payment innovation to scale, adapt and thrive.
South Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit is thriving, but success takes more than a great idea. With the right tools, platforms and support, merchants are turning digital payments into a strategic advantage. The 2025 State of Pay report connects the dots between innovation and impact, showing how payments are helping businesses grow, scale and serve more customers.
If you’re launching a new venture or scaling an existing one, this report offers actionable insights to help you refine your business strategy. Learn how your peers are using digital payments to improve cash flow, reach new customers and future-proof their operations.
Discover how digital payments are powering progress and how your business can benefit.
What’s inside the 2025 State of Pay Report
- Exclusive interviews with TymeBank and Mobicred on embedded finance and access to capital
- Insights from Payfast leaders on how next-gen payment rails are transforming SME success
- Proprietary Payfast data on transaction volumes, payment preferences and platform adoption
- Anonymised merchant survey results showing that nearly 70% of businesses saw sales increase by up to 50% after adopting digital payments
- Anonymised consumer survey insights from Meta revealing shifts in online and in-person shopping behaviour
- Trends shaping South Africa’s ecommerce and retail evolution, including the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and card payments
- The role of digital payments in enabling daily cash flow and financial inclusion