SA’s informal economy is showing signs of moving away from cash

The study looked at the bottom-of-the-pyramid segment, where consumers and SMMEs primarily use cash when making or receiving payments. These are also consumers who do not use bank accounts, have inactive bank accounts, or have access to facilities such as credit and digital banking but choose not to use them. 

As a result, many stay marginalised and financially excluded from the growth happening in the digital economy.

“As the digital economy becomes a more connected place where commerce thrives due to the safe, simple and secure exchange of value, it’s essential that everyone has access to it. …When consumers and micro enterprises can digitise their commercial exchanges – and eventually switch from cash – they can be included and empowered in a formal financial ecosystem,” said Gabriel Swanepoel, Country Manager for Mastercard in Southern Africa.

Overall, consumers in the informal sector showed high awareness of bank accounts. In 2022, half of households had a bank account and nearly a third used a digital wallet or electronic wallet. Those that did not use a bank account cited high costs (37%), low trust (21%), limited knowledge of financial products (19%), lack of understanding of how it works (18%), or inability to provide proof of address (16%).

Reasons for using cash now less pronounced

Although cash is still in mainstream use, the traditional reasons mentioned for using cash when shopping were less pronounced year on year. The perceived convenience of cash dropped from 51% to 34%, using cash out of habit experienced a 9% decline, and concerns related to hidden costs of bank cards reduced from 43% to 29%.

The study showed that there seemed to be a strong movement to switch from cash – 65% claimed they are likely to start paying with something other than cash in the year ahead. 

Many respondents said safety is what will push them to convert from cash, given cash may be stolen. But notably, the year-long study also highlights that the convenience of non-cash methods is growing in importance: originally 48% of informal sector consumer respondents cited convenience using credit cards, a figure that grew to 60% a year later.

SMME respondents also had a high awareness of banking, but the study showed a decline in respondents’ ownership of a traditional bank account. 

By the end of 2022, 45% had a personal bank account, while only 25% had a business bank account. All of them offered cash options to customers, with only 2% offering a card machine or tap on phone, and 1% offering contactless QR codes. In general, reasons for limited payment options included usage difficulty and high data costs.

“There is clearly a need to develop simple, affordable, easily understood fintech solutions that can displace cash and unlock wider inclusion for everyone involved in a transaction. Regardless of size, turnover, headcount, or customer segments, convenient digital solutions underpinned by secure technology level the playing field, ensuring that disadvantaged communities can participate meaningfully in the economy,” said Swanepoel.

You can download the full paper here.