While visiting Kenya in July, Alibaba founder Jack Ma had indicated Alipay might debut in Kenya but only through a partnership with a local company.
Johannesburg, South Africa, Sept 4 – Alibaba online and mobile payment platform Alipay has entered the African market through a partnership with South Africa-based mobile payment system called Zapper.
The partnership is initially targeting the over 100,000 Chinese tourists who visit South Africa every year but will expand to include an in-app discovery module where users can search for places such as restaurants, theatres and parks
The tourists will now use their Alipay app to settle payment at 10,000 Zapper-affiliated merchants across the country.
“This cross-continental alliance is in line with the series of expansions into new verticals that Zapper is currently undertaking to diversify its service range, and further strengthen its position as South Africa’s mobile payment and loyalty rewards app of choice. These verticals include hospitality, retail, bills, e-commerce, donations, parking, fuel and convenience,” said Will Heygate, General Manager of Zapper South Africa.
While visiting Kenya in July, Alibaba founder Jack Ma had indicated Alipay might debut in Kenya but only through a partnership with a local company.
