Kyalami, Midrand, 21 May 2025 – As part of the Responsible Finance Forum (RFF) 2025 hosted by the Center for Financial Inclusion by Accion, FinMark Trust hosted key stakeholders, including G20-GPFI delegates, on a field visit to one of the pilot sites of the Digitalising Incomes for Informal and Low-Income Workers (TIPS) project. The visit to The Rock at Kyalami Corner offered a first-hand look into how digital payment solutions are transforming the lives and livelihoods of South Africa’s informal workforce.
The pilot project, implemented in Gauteng as part of the Inclusive Payments Digitalisation Programme and funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), addresses a critical gap in the transition from cash to digital payments – specifically, how this shift impacts workers who rely on small-value payments, tips and gratuities. These include car guards, street vendors and food service workers.
From cash to digital: A practical shift
In South Africa, tipping remains an important cultural practice and source of income for many workers, especially those earning below the national minimum wage of ZAR 27.48/hour. However, as fewer people carry cash, tip-based earnings are at risk. The field visit showcased mojaPay, a fintech provider offering a digital payment platform, or app, that enables informal workers and those employed in the services sector – referred to as “tippees” – to receive payments and gratuities directly and securely via mobile wallets.
The field visit experience began with a project overview during the shuttle ride to the venue, setting the stage for delegates to engage directly with tippees and the fintech innovators driving mojaPay. Co-founders Xolisa Vuza and Kagisho Dichabe introduced the platform’s functionalities to delegates, which include wallet-to-wallet transfers with low transaction fees (at only 50 cents) and the ability to purchase airtime, electricity and send money to their family – basic yet essential services for financial resilience.
Real people. Real impact.
Delegates met with participants such as food vendors, Witness Maseko and Didintle Mollo, street vendors Rorisang Leseba and Tshepo Nkomo, and car guards Stanley Mabhena and Caleb Dube – all of whom are part of the pilot project. Their workplace was chosen for this field visit, not only for its bustling suburban environment but also because it is a place where informal workers actively earn a living.
In a vibrant restaurant setting, guests experienced the system in action. Each delegate was issued a digital balance and encouraged to use the mojaPay app to tip a participant by scanning their unique QR code. Tippees then confirmed receipt of payments in real time, demonstrating the platform's ease, security and immediacy.
Previously, car guards and vendors had no way to accept digital tips. Now, with mojaPay, they are no longer excluded from the digital economy,” said Kagisho Dichabe during the session. “This is not only about the technology – it's about dignity, convenience and inclusion.
Challenges and community responses
The shift to digital is not without its hurdles. Some customers remain sceptical of the new system, citing unfamiliarity and a lack of trust. Yet the pilot has shown that awareness and access can drive adoption. As more tippers use the app and more tippees share their positive experiences, confidence in the platform is growing.
Looking ahead: Regional expansion
The mojaPay team has determined plans to expand the platform beyond South Africa to broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets. Their vision: a more inclusive digital economy where informal workers across the continent can participate fully and fairly.
A shared vision for inclusive finance
This field visit highlighted the importance of creating inclusive financial tools that meet people where they are, literally and figuratively. It sparked meaningful conversations about innovation, adaptation and the role of digital financial services in enhancing economic resilience for the most vulnerable.
With a growing ecosystem of solutions like mojaPay, the future of financial inclusion in the digital era looks promising, especially for those who have historically been left out.