Mastercard has just launched MasterPass  in South Africa which enables consumers to make convenient, simple, fast and secure digital payments. Digital wallets accessible through the MasterPass acceptance network allow consumers to store all their MasterCard or other branded credit, debit or cheque card information, and shipping and billing address details securely in one place.

A first for South Africans
This gives South Africans the ability to make secure online payments without the repeated hassle of entering these details each time. “The world we shop in is constantly evolving and the ways we pay should keep pace. With a single click, tap or touch of the MasterPass button at checkout, consumers can access their preferred digital wallet and authenticate a payment with a secure PIN,” says Mark Hearne, Head of Business Development, MasterCard, South Africa. “South Africans are the first in the Middle East and Africa region to be introduced to MasterPass, which was launched internationally last year.”

Standard Bank is the first local bank to offer a digital wallet powered by MasterPass via the Standard Bank MasterPass app. The free app is available for download from the Apple, Android or BlackBerry app stores. Takealot.com, Flysaa.com (South African Airways) and entertainment ticketing site Plankton.mobi are among the first merchants to accept MasterPass as a payment method at checkout, with additional merchants going live soon. As MasterPass evolves, it will also enable in-app and in-store purchases, based on the shopping experiences a merchant wants to make available to its customers.

Downloading, registering and using the Standard Bank MasterPass app is quick and easy. Consumers simply visit their device’s app store, download the app, register, load their credit, debit or cheque cards and delivery and billing address details and begin shopping. Anyone can use the Standard Bank MasterPass app – even non-Standard Bank cardholders.

MasterPass also accepts selected PIN-based debit cards such as Maestro, enabling millions of South Africans to make secure online purchases using their PIN-based debit cards.