South Africa-based fintech group Adumo, has received $15 million from IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the IFC Financial Institutions Growth Fund, to help to increase access to digital payment solutions for small and medium-sized businesses in several countries in Africa.
Adumo, formerly known as Crossfin, wil use the investment to make digital payment systems more affordable and accessible to smaller businesses in Africa, many of which currently rely on cash transactions.
“The pandemic and associated impact on consumers and businesses are transforming the face of the payments industry with interest in cashless payment services at an all-time high. The funds we have raised from our new equity partners will help us roll out new payment innovations and purpose-based lending services to support consumers and retailers as they navigate an uncertain 2021,” said Paul Kent, CEO at Adumo.
In South Africa, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises employ over 50 percent of the work force and contribute around 34 percent of GDP, but many don’t have access to key services that would help their business grow. Digital and mobile payment solutions can help businesses increase footfall and improve customer retention by supporting the transition away from cash-based transactions.
Adumo, South Africa’s largest independent payment provider with a presence in 13 African countries, owns merchant acquirers Sureswipe and Ikhokha and payment processor Innervation Pan African Payments. The firm processes more than $5 billion in transactions annually through more than 30,000 active clients and across 50,000 active card machines.
Adumo’s group companies, which include Sureswipe, iKhokha, Humble, Innervation Pan African Payment Solutions and Innervation Rewards, process more than R66-billion in transactions annually across more than 30,000 active clients and 50,000 card machines in 13 African countries.
