This year marks a significant milestone for Paynow Zimbabwe, the leading online payment platform in the country. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Paynow has not only transformed the way Zimbabweans make payments but has also positioned itself as a cornerstone in the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
The platform, which began as a simple online payment solution, has now become Zimbabwe’s go-to choice for millions of consumers and thousands of merchants. Paynow has surpassed an incredible 1 million unique transacting customers, a testament to its success in revolutionizing digital payments in a cash-driven economy.
The Rise of Paynow: Simplifying Payments in a Cash-Driven Economy
At the helm of Paynow is Vusi Ndebele, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in technology and digital infrastructure. Ndebele’s background in telecoms and his leadership at Paynow have been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and innovation.
Before founding Paynow, Ndebele worked with global tech companies such as Juniper Networks and Siemens, where he specialized in content and media solutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His career in telecoms and technology, which spans over two decades, provided him with the expertise needed to build Paynow as a cutting-edge platform that addresses both the technical and commercial needs of the Zimbabwean market.
Ndebele’s vision for Paynow was clear from the start: to create a platform that simplified online payments and made them accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial background or access to formal banking services. He built Paynow to serve as an aggregator, allowing businesses to integrate multiple payment methods without negotiating individual agreements with banks, mobile operators, and payment providers. This approach has made Paynow the preferred partner for over 2600 merchants in Zimbabwe. Launched in 2014, Paynow Zimbabwe quickly became a household name, bringing a suite of payment solutions to both individuals and businesses.
“We enjoy working with open-minded clients that realize that their industry is ripe for disruption and they would rather come and address that early than finding themselves without a business,” Ndebele explained.
Paynow’s wide range of payment services, including its Topup.co.zw platform, has made it possible for Zimbabweans to pay for utilities, airtime, internet bundles, tuition fees, and more—all from the convenience of their mobile phones or computers. The service supports over 100 billers and offers more than nine payment options, including the ability to accept cash payments, a feature that sets it apart from many other digital platforms in the country. Whether it’s settling ZESA (electricity) bills, purchasing fuel, or buying airtime, Paynow’s ecosystem provides a one-stop shop for daily financial transactions.
“Reaching 1 million transacting customers is an incredible achievement for us,” said Paynow in a statement. “This milestone is a reflection of the trust and loyalty our customers have placed in us over the years. We couldn’t have done it without our dedicated team and the ongoing support of our users. We are excited about the future and committed to continuing to innovate and provide the best service to our customers.”
Impact on Zimbabwe’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: A Decade of Growth and Innovation
Founded in 2014, Paynow Zimbabwe is a trading name of Softwarehouse (Private) Limited, which is part of the Webdev Group. Over the past decade, Paynow has consolidated a wide array of payment options—including Visa, Mastercard, EcoCash, Telecash, Zimswitch, and more—into one seamless platform.
Paynow’s versatility has been key to its growth. The platform serves businesses across various sectors, from retail and utilities to education and insurance. Paynow’s success lies in its ability to integrate multiple payment methods into a single solution, ensuring that both merchants and consumers can transact easily, securely, and efficiently.
With the rise of mobile money in Zimbabwe, Paynow has also played a critical role in advancing financial inclusion. A large portion of Zimbabwe’s population lacks access to formal banking services, but the widespread use of mobile phones has made mobile money services like EcoCash and OneWallet an essential part of everyday life.
Paynow has bridged the gap between mobile money platforms and traditional banking services, allowing users to transact seamlessly across different payment channels. This has been particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs, who are often excluded from the formal financial system. By consolidating various payment methods into one integrated platform, Paynow has made it easier for individuals and businesses to engage in the digital economy.
With the significant shift in how payments are made in Zimbabwe, more and more people are embracing digital payments, not only because it’s convenient but because it’s now the norm. The infrastructure is there, and Paynow is proud to be at the forefront of this change. The company has undoubtedly made its mark as a leader in the digital payments space.
With a decade of successful innovation under his belt, a growing customer base and a track record of empowering local businesses, Nbebele is well-positioned to continue driving digital financial inclusion, supporting entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe and beyond. The Fintech landscape in Zimbabwe is evolving, and Paynow is positioned to continue leading this change.
