Manual or cash-heavy payment processes still dominate in many African enterprises. A recent World Bank report on Digital Opportunities in African Businesses admits that “firms in Africa still rely on manual processes, including cash and cheques, for payments”. While familiar, these methods quietly drain time, money, and customer trust. Below are four key pain points and clear steps Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and MSMEs can take today with VeryPay’s digital tools.
1. Slow Cash Flow Strangles Growth
Late or piecemeal payments tie up working capital. Xero’s 2024 State of Small Business survey found that 46 percent of South African owners spend one to two months chasing overdue invoices. That lost time translates to delayed stock purchases, stalled hiring, and sleepless nights for founders.
VeryPay fix: Accept instant wallet, card, or NFC payments, even offline. Transactions store securely on the device and sync once a day when the merchant regains signal, so you get paid in seconds, not weeks.
2. Hidden Administrative Costs Add Up
Recording paper slips, counting cash, and reconciling bank deposits all demand staff hours. The World Bank estimates that these manual chores push up the cost of doing business, especially for small firms that cannot spread back-office work over large volumes . Each shilling or naira spent on bookkeeping is a shilling you cannot invest in inventory or marketing.
VeryPay fix: The VeryPay Merchant Management Application automates settlement reports, inventory links, and digital receipts. What once took hours in spreadsheets now takes minutes on a phone.
3. Missed Markets and High Transaction Fees
When a business can only accept cash or bank transfers, it limits where and how it can sell. Customers who prefer card, mobile money, or contactless options may simply walk away. This especially affects businesses trying to reach younger, tech-savvy consumers or cross-border customers. And even where digital payments are possible, high costs or complex setups can be a barrier.
VeryPay fix: With NFC cards, bracelets, or phone taps issued instantly from your Mobile Money wallet, customers pay in any currency supported by your network. Fees fall, checkout lines shrink, and you unlock regional e-commerce without new hardware.
4. Higher Risk of Error and Fraud
Handling large amounts of cash increases the risk of loss or theft—whether from customers, staff, or during transit. Manual records are also more likely to contain mistakes, leading to confusion, disputes, or losses. In many businesses, there’s no easy way to track who collected what, or how much was actually received.
VeryPay fix: Digital transactions carry encrypted metadata, real-time audit trails, and biometric logins for staff. Offline acceptance keeps sales moving even during network outages, without piling up loose receipts.
Ready to Drop Manual Pain Points?
VeryPay’s platform is built for Africa’s connectivity realities:
- Offline acceptance: Record sales with zero signal. Sync once per day.
- NFC everywhere: Cards, and wearables that cost cents, not dollars.
- Merchant Management App: Dashboards, settlement, and inventory in one tap.
Stop leaking revenue to paperwork, delays, and errors. Visit verypay.africa to request a live demo. Switch to VeryPay now and turn every payment, online or off, into instant, reliable cash flow for your business.
Global
Uganda
Senegal
Zambia