Verto Webinar Explores Payments, Compliance, and Expansion Strategies for South African Businesses
Verto Webinar: South African businesses looking to expand internationally face a host of challenges, from high cross-border transaction costs and regulatory hurdles to foreign exchange volatility and slow settlement times.
These issues took center stage during Unlock South Africa: Guide for Expansion, Compliance & Capital Movements, a free webinar hosted by Verto, the global financial technology firm that enables companies to access enterprise-grade cross-border payments, FX and banking solutions.
The webinar, hosted on Thursday, explored the evolving landscape of international payments for South African businesses, highlighting challenges like high costs, friction, and FX volatility in cross-border transactions. It delved into how smart payment tools and fintech solutions offer a faster, more efficient alternative to traditional banking for global trade and treasury automation. Additionally, the session provided crucial insights into compliance, capital movement, and regulatory requirements (like BOP codes and SARB) necessary for successful international expansion.
The discussion brought together key fintech leaders including Cornelius Coetzee, Country Director at Verto; Hank Coetzee, Strategic Partnerships Manager at VALR; and Tendai Tizirai, Head of Expansion at Mukuru, to unpack these barriers and explore practical solutions.
Cornelius Coetzee opened the conversation by describing the hurdles South African businesses face when receiving payments from markets like Nigeria. He explained that companies often need extensive documentation such as proof of service and tax certificates before a transfer can even begin. Even when compliance requirements are met, access to US dollar liquidity can take months, creating serious cash flow issues for SMEs. Fintech platforms, he noted, are increasingly filling these gaps by integrating digital rails, enabling real-time settlement, and offering multi-currency support that reduces both costs and friction. “Execution and settlement can now happen simultaneously, removing uncertainty and accelerating global trade,” he said.
Tendai Tizirai emphasized that Africa cannot be treated as a single market. With 54 countries, each with its own consumer habits, payment preferences, and regulatory frameworks, businesses that fail to adapt risk costly mistakes. In Southern Africa, for example, cash payout points are essential, while in Kenya, mobile money dominates. He advised that companies build a strong, adaptable core infrastructure and then tailor it for each market’s customer and compliance needs, stressing that this is the fastest route to meaningful scale.
From a cryptocurrency perspective, Hank Coetzee highlighted the potential of stablecoins and blockchain technology to help South African companies manage currency risk. Holding US dollar–denominated stablecoins, he explained, can protect against rand depreciation while generating yield — an opportunity that is already available to businesses today. Blockchain’s ability to move large sums in seconds without relying on traditional intermediaries, he added, represents a major leap forward for global commerce, particularly in volatile markets.
The panel agreed that while fintechs bring agility, banks remain critical partners, offering scale, regulatory credibility, and trust. Partnerships between the two, they said, can deliver innovative solutions that are both compliant and efficient.
For Verto, the mission is clear: to help South African businesses connect with the world without the traditional pain points of cross-border trade. As Coetzee concluded, “Our goal is to make global payments as simple as sending money locally.”
Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent.
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