South Africans can now buy electricity right in their WhatsApp chats following a partnership between online voucher provider Prepaid24 , WhatsApp solutions provider Chat Inc and payment gateway Ozow.
The new platform, known as Prepaid24 - Transact WhatsApp channel, also allows users to make other purchases or payments such as municipal accounts, airtime and data.
Electricity and other prepaid purchases via WhatsAp b "This introduction of our WhatsApp channel directly responds to the ongoing challenges South Africans face with electricity access and digital inclusion," Prepaid24 Co-Founder and Business Architect Ben Lindeque said in a statement on Tuesday 22 July.
"Like many South Africans, I found navigating websites and making online payments intimidating, especially when things didn't go as planned. That personal frustration inspired us to build something radically simpler, something that meets users where they are: on WhatsApp.
How it works To make a purchase, add the number 060 012 2010 as a contact on WhatsApp and send a "Hi" message. You may also start by clicking the Prepaid24 WhatsApp link here and initiating a chat in the same way.
Next, select your desired service and make payments via Ozow's Instant EFT or the Prepaid24 SmartFund. A PayShap integration will be introduced shortly, Prepaid24 said.
Purchase confirmations and tokens are delivered instantaneously through the chat as well, it added.
For instance, if you wish to buy prepaid electricity, follow the steps below:
The new platform, known as Prepaid24 - Transact WhatsApp channel, also allows users to make other purchases or payments such as municipal accounts, airtime and data.
Electricity and other prepaid purchases via WhatsAp b "This introduction of our WhatsApp channel directly responds to the ongoing challenges South Africans face with electricity access and digital inclusion," Prepaid24 Co-Founder and Business Architect Ben Lindeque said in a statement on Tuesday 22 July.
"Like many South Africans, I found navigating websites and making online payments intimidating, especially when things didn't go as planned. That personal frustration inspired us to build something radically simpler, something that meets users where they are: on WhatsApp.
How it works To make a purchase, add the number 060 012 2010 as a contact on WhatsApp and send a "Hi" message. You may also start by clicking the Prepaid24 WhatsApp link here and initiating a chat in the same way.
Next, select your desired service and make payments via Ozow's Instant EFT or the Prepaid24 SmartFund. A PayShap integration will be introduced shortly, Prepaid24 said.
Purchase confirmations and tokens are delivered instantaneously through the chat as well, it added.
For instance, if you wish to buy prepaid electricity, follow the steps below:
- Send a Hi message to the Prepaid24 number 060 012 2010 on WhatsApp.
- Log in or sign up for a Prepaid24 account.
- Once you have signed in, tap View Products and choose Prepaid Electricity.
- Add or select your meter. If you are a first-time user, choose your municipality from the list and enter your meter number. Once you have added it, it will be saved for future use.
- Enter your recharge amount.
- Choose a payment method.
- You will receive your tokens as soon as the payment goes through.