Ébène, April 17, 2024: Leading African payment gateway Peach Payments has partnered with Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) to introduce Mauritius’ pioneering mobile payment solution MCB Juice on ecommerce checkout, for its online merchants.
The Head of Payments at MCB, Stephanie Ng Tseung, notes, “The digital world is changing rapidly, and it is incumbent upon us to adapt and meet the needs of our customers. MCB firmly believes that instant and mobile-based payments are key to truly empowering online businesses in Mauritius, and this partnership between Peach Payments and MCB to offer Juice as an online payment method marks an important step in the right direction. As we strive to continuously offer innovative and high-value solutions to our customers, it is essential for our pioneering mobile payment app to be present on key payment gateways that are trusted by our merchants and consumers alike.”
The digital payment conundrum: Demand rules, supply lags
MCB’s payment trends report for December 2023 shows that digital payments are well entrenched among bank customers. In fact, the number of bank customers who have adopted either Juice, contactless or online transactions rose by 9% between December 2022 and the end of 2023.
The increase is particularly marked for payments via the Juice app, which saw a dizzying increase of 119% in the number of transactions. Contactless payments increased by 51% during the same period.
Yet, MCB’s internal statistics show that only 20% of MCB’s 36,000 SME clients accept some form of digital payment despite using MCB Juice or JuicePro (the app for entrepreneurs) to pay their own bills. Instead, 64% of all SMEs in Mauritius accept cash and cheque payments from their customers.
For his part, the Chief Operating Officer at Peach Payments, Sandeep Chagger, states: “As Mauritius’ first mobile payment app, Juice is synonymous with mobile money transfers and payments on the island. The partnership with MCB Juice lends a significant thrust to our pervasive efforts to improve digital payment adoption in Mauritius, in the safest and easiest manner possible. Integrating Juice on the Peach Payments’ checkout means that merchants in Mauritius can use our seamless and secure gateway to accept online payments using Juice.”
How businesses and consumers can reap big benefits
Sandeep says businesses that offer MCB Juice as a payment method in their online stores through Peach Payments enjoy a range of benefits. Apart from increasing their appeal for Mauritian customers – who are showing a growing tendency towards non-cash payment options – businesses benefit from instant settlement of funds, get instant notifications of payments received, enjoy reduced transaction fees, and eliminate the risk of handling cash.
“This strategic partnership between Mauritius Commercial Bank and Peach Payments empowers MCB Juice customers to make online payments safely and securely at any merchant that accepts MCB Juice, via Peach Payments. For businesses, having MCB Juice added to the existing payment methods available through Peach Payments – such as credit and debit cards – gives them an exciting new avenue to broaden their means of payment acceptance,” he concludes.
L to R: David Anthony, Global Sales Manager, Peach Payments; Stephanie Ng Tseung, Head of Payments, Mauritius Commercial Bank; Sandeep Chagger, Group Chief Operating Officer, Peach Payments; Sanoubar Ghani, Sales and Account Manager, Peach Payments and Dylan Slome, Senior Product Owner – Innovative Payments, Mauritius Commercial Bank.
ends
About Peach Payments:
Peach Payments is a fast-growing African payment solution provider (PSP) that makes online commerce and digital payment acceptance easier and more accessible across Kenya, Mauritius and South Africa.
The company provides direct settlements in all three countries, as well as aggregated payment services in South Africa. The company works with small and large sellers to provide a complete toolkit to accept, manage and disburse payments through web and mobile.
Peach Payments’ merchant partners include your favourite food delivery services, whether you’re ordering in or using a meal kit, travel services that can help you book your next getaway adventure and even your neighbour’s side-hustle e-commerce store. For these partners and their customers, Peach Payments aims to provide delightful experiences that make it as easy as possible to facilitate online payments.
About MCB Juice:
Launched in 2013, Juice has become an essential mobile application in the Mauritian landscape. MCB Juice currently has over 550,000 subscribers and the term “Juice” is part of the Mauritian jargon to refer to a mobile money transfer.
MCB’s mobile banking app allows you to check your account and loans balances, transfer money, manage your cards, refill your mobile phone, pay bills and do much more, anywhere, anytime.
For more information, please contact:
| Peach Payments Sandeep Chagger, COO Mauritius Commercial Bank Stephanie Ng Tseung, Head of Payments | Via SJ Perry PR Ansie Vicente +27 834145586 ansie@sjperrypr.co.za |
| For business enquiries Kevin Pawaray, Sales Manager, Financial Services Peach Payments Limited MCB Juice: | +230 55009844 kevin.pawaray@peachpayments.com ecom@mcb.mu |
