TechPression

Tag: CODE

  • South Africa’s “Scan to Pay” announces QR code payments

    South Africa’s “Scan to Pay” announces QR code payments

    South Africa’s Scan to Pay has announced QR code payments in SA. A growing number of people are embracing the convenience of using their mobile devices, from low-end smartphones to high-end smartphones, to make payments, according to Scan to Pay data, which is now powered by Ukheshe  Johannesburg, South Africa, and used by Masterpass. 

    Mobile payments are rising, with 12 million transactions every month.

    A mobile phone with a camera can be used to scan QR codes by almost anyone.

    The 10-digit number at the bottom of the QR code makes Ukheshe’s Scan to Pay special.

    USSD, or Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, is something that South Africans who call *# are used to. USSD is an important tool for financial inclusion because it can help a lot of people get mobile financial services, especially those with low incomes.

    Read also: ‘Pick N Pay’ Begins Crypto Payments In South Africa

    Benefits of Scan-to-Pay in South Africa

    Businesses also benefit greatly. QR codes are a cheap and easy way to pay on a merchant’s website, at an e-commerce checkout, or in person. QR beats online and limited-use digital payment techniques. Businesses can accept payments online or at a store, while consumers have more choices, including their own banking app.

    When it comes to digital payments, both businesses and users should put security first. The fact that the Ukheshe Scan to Pay QR works with bank apps is a plus. The built-in security of QR code deals and the security of banking apps make the process even safer. Several security checks are done on sales made with Scan to Pay. The phone number and card number of the buyer are matched up.

    QR codes are easy, safe, and unique. Their versatility intrigues. Small businesses, restaurants, large supermarkets, petrol stations, and national service providers can accept QR payments. QR codes simplify tax and utility payments. As QR becomes faster, cheaper, more common, and the preferred trading method, its disadvantages will outweigh its advantages.

    QR avoids ATM fees and change theft. QR eases financial and economic integration. Low-income people are especially affected.

    Millions of businesses and people have used South Africa’s biggest QR ecosystem, Ukheshe’s Scan to Pay. More than 500 000 sellers, 14 banks and fintech companies, 94 payment service providers, and six acquirers all use it for QR payments.

    All of the major banking apps in South Africa allow Scan to Pay QR payments, and the app can be downloaded on most mobile devices.

    How Scan to Pay works

    The Masterpass app has been changed to Scan to Pay, powered by Ukheshe. It still has the same level of security and speed. Scan to Pay has a new look and feel, making it easy for users to pay for things.

    Scan to Pay is South Africa’s biggest QR ecosystem. It works with six acquirers, 94 PSPs, 14 banks and fintechs, three MNOs, and more than 500,000 retailers. This large network makes sure that people all over the country can connect to it and use it.

    Our goal is to give people in South Africa a simple, safe, and easy way to pay that opens up new opportunities for QR payments. With Scan to Pay, we make it easy for users to pay across all channels and devices, making payments more convenient and improving the payment experience as a whole.

  • CSO Launches Intelligence Technology To Ensure Credible 2023 Elections In Nigeria

    CSO Launches Intelligence Technology To Ensure Credible 2023 Elections In Nigeria

    Connected Development (CODE), a Civil Society Organization (CSO), has released a pre-election security assessment report and electoral intelligence technologies for the monitoring of the 2023 elections.

    At the unveiling in Abuja, Mr Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive Officer CODE, stated that the study titled “Same Currency for Violence; Troubling Elections” and the EI electoral monitoring tool were initiatives under its “Uzabe” platform.

    According to Lawal, CODE actively participated in election observation in Nigeria’s 2015 and 2019 general elections, deploying over 10,000 observers in both polls, using the Uzabe platform.

    He stated that during the 2023 elections, CODE would deploy 20,000 community-based observers to submit real-time situation reports from local polling stations using two of its channels to provide structured and unstructured data, leveraging the Uzabe platform.

    Read also: NCC announces toll-free incident hotline for 2023 presidential election

    CODE’s Concerns About Nigeria’s 2023 Elections

    Lawal explained that the group is focused on Nigeria’s 2023 election processes to ensure free and fair polls. The group also expressed concern about the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira redesign approach to reduce corrupt practices during election and the resultant effect on voter turnout.

    “CODE is not interested in the result of the elections but interested in the processes of the elections to ensure that INEC’s guidelines are adequately met in this election.

    “The high rate of insecurity as well as the cash crunch due to the Central Bank’s currency redesign policy has escalated the tension causing growing fears, and might impact voter turnout, and as well cause voter apathy among Nigerians.

    “We know that corrupt politicians were planning to leverage on this situation to further induce voters, and we are scared that Nigerians may have no option than to sell their votes on election day because of the impact of access to naira.

    “One area we are also concerned about is the fact that INEC, looking at the Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 as amended, has the powers to postpone this election on the possibility of breach of peace and security.”

    Lawal stated that CODE was also collaborating with Meta to assist combat fake news on social media that might circulate on election day.

    He explained that CODE would work with security agencies and other stakeholders to use the platform to gain security insights and enhance security circumstances. He said the CODE will have a situation room on Friday, February 24th, which will include additional CSOs.

    Also addressing, Mr. Emmanuel Njoku, Director of Democracy and Governance, CODE, advocated for an increase in voting duration in Nigeria from six to eight hours.

    Njoku stated that during the just ended 2022 Elections, Kenya used technology comparable to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

    He stated that Kenya’s voting populace of approximately 22 million had 11-12 hours to vote.

    “Still, Nigeria with a larger population of registered voters allocated only six hours for voters to carry out their civic responsibility.”

    Likewise, CODE hosted a roundtable discussion with media and civil society organizations to encourage collaboration on effective election coverage and reporting in 2023.

    The roundtable discussion focused on how CSOs and media professionals could protect the integrity of the electoral process and the upcoming elections.

    Directors and representatives from several CSOs attended the event, including the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

    SERAP, Accountability Lab, Radio Now, Citizen FM, Ready to Lead Africa, and other renowned media and civil society organizations were among the others.

    CODE and media organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate cooperation efforts to combat fake news, misinformation, and disinformation that have the potential to severely impact the 2023 elections.

    Nigeria Negotiates with Potential Partners on Best Management System for eNaira

    Nigeria’s Upcoming General Election Dates

    Nigerians will head to the polls on Saturday 25th February to elect their next president amid pressure of cash scarcity. On Saturday, 11th March 2023, gubernatorial elections will be held across 28 states of the Federation, as well as state Houses of Assembly elections in the 36 states in Nigeria.

    Later in the year three other governorship polls will be conducted, while possible rerun elections for regularly planned elections that were cancelled are expected to be held.