Zakhaa Pay launches Leruo NFC Wristband to transform digital payments for South Africa’s informal economy
Award-winning South African fintech start-up Zakhaa Pay has introduced the Leruo NFC Wristband, an innovative wearable payment solution that enables instant, cashless payments with a single tap, empowering South Africa’s informal workforce through secure, accessible,and bank-free digital transactions.
Award-winning South African fintech start-up Zakhaa Pay has unveiled theZakhaa Pay Leruo NFC Wristband, an innovative wearable payment solution that allows workers to receive tips and payments instantly with a simple tap from a customer’s smartphone.
Designed for South Africa’s growing cashless economy, the Leruo Wristband eliminates the need for cash, QR codes, card machines or sharing bank account details.
Linked directly to a user’s Zakhaa Pay Wallet, the NFC-enabled wristband enables customers to tap their NFC-enabled smartphone, enter the payment amount and complete the transaction within seconds.
The solution has been developed to address a growing challenge faced by workers in the informal and service sectors, where customers increasingly no longer carry cash, resulting in lost income for workers who rely on tips and small daily payments.
The wristband is ideal for waiters, bartenders, hotel staff, barbers, salon professionals, taxi and e-hailing drivers, petrol attendants, delivery drivers, car guards, informal traders and thousands of other South Africans who receive tips or regular small-value payments.
Unlike traditional payment solutions, customers do not need a Zakhaa Pay account to make a payment. The wristband is compatible with Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, major South African banking apps and NFC-enabled Android and iPhone devices.
Funds are received instantly into the Zakhaa Pay Wallet, where users can immediately transfer money, pay other users, make purchases or withdraw cash through participating partners including Pick n Pay, Boxer and ABSA. In addition, money stored in the wallet can be used to Scan to Pay at more than 700,000 merchants nationwide, including Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Usave, Boxer, Dis-Chem, Engen and hundreds of thousands of participating retailers across South Africa, giving users complete flexibility over how they spend their earnings.
“The Leruo Wristband represents a new era of financial inclusion by making digital payments simple, secure and accessible for everyone. Our mission is to ensure that every worker, regardless of whether they have a traditional bank account, has the opportunity to receive payments instantly and participate in South Africa’s digital economy,” says Zakhaa, Founder Teboho Twala.
“For many South Africans, carrying cash isn’t just inconvenient; it’s a security risk. The Zakhaa Pay Leruo Wristband provides a safer alternative by allowing users to receive payments digitally, reducing cash handling while ensuring every transaction is secure, traceable, and linked to a verified wallet.”
Building on its growing ecosystem of innovative payment solutions, Zakhaa Pay continues to remove barriers to digital financial services by developing practical technologies that make it easier for underserved communities and small businesses to send, receive and manage money securely without expensive payment infrastructure.
By removing the barriers associated with traditional payment methods, Zakhaa Pay aims to empower millions of South Africans while helping businesses embrace cashless transactions, improve customer convenience and drive financial inclusion.
The entire payment process takes less than 10 seconds, offering a fast, secure and seamless experience for both customers and merchants.
How the Zakhaa Pay Leruo Wristband Works
1. Wear the Leruo Wristband
The NFC-enabled Zakhaa Pay Leruo Wristband is securely linked to your verified Zakhaa Pay Wallet.
2. Customer taps their smartphone
A customer simply taps their NFC-enabled Android or iPhone against the wristband.
3. Payment page opens automatically
The tap instantly launches the Zakhaa Pay payment page on the customer’s phone – no app download or QR code required.
4. Customer enters the payment amount
The customer types in the amount they wish to pay or tip.
5. Payment is confirmed
The customer authorises the transaction using their preferred banking app, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or another compatible digital wallet.
6. Money is received instantly
The payment is deposited immediately into the recipient’s Zakhaa Pay Wallet.
7. Access your earnings immediately
Users can transfer funds, pay other users, withdraw cash through participating partners or use their balance to Scan to Pay at over 700,000 participating merchants nationwide.
The entire process takes less than 10 seconds –Just Tap. Get Paid.
Five key benefits of the Zakhaa Pay Leruo Wristband
• Never miss a payment or tip – Customers can pay instantly even if they don’t carry cash.
• No traditional bank account required –Expands financial inclusion for informal and underserved workers.
• Safe and secure transactions – Eliminates the risks associated with carrying cash while every wristband is linked to a verified wallet.
• Fast access to earnings – Funds are available instantly to transfer, spend, Scan to Pay or withdraw.
• Works with everyday smartphones –Compatible with major digital wallets and South African banking apps without customers needing to download a new app.
About Zakhaa Pay
Zakhaa Pay is an award-winning South African fintech start-up committed to transforming financial inclusion through innovative digital payment solutions designed for individuals, SMEs and South Africa’s informal economy. The company was recognised by Absa and Visa as the “Most Disruptive Fintech in Shaping the Informal Economy” at the Absa Commercial Payments Awards for its pioneering work in developing payment technologies that expand access to digital financial services. Zakhaa was also named a Nedbank Business Ignite 2025 finalist, recognising its continued innovation and impact within South Africa’s fintech sector.
Zakhaa develops practical, secure and affordable financial technology that enables users to send, receive, collect and manage money digitally without the barriers of traditional banking. Its growing ecosystem includes the Zakhaa Pay Wallet, Leruo NFC Wristband, Zakhaa FlexiPay, Smart Transact POS and card payment solutions, helping businesses, township entrepreneurs and informal traders do business more efficiently while driving financial inclusion.
Funds held in the Zakhaa Pay Wallet can be transferred instantly, used to pay other users, withdrawn through participating partners or used to Scan to Pay at more than 700,000 merchants nationwide, including Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Usave, Boxer, Dis-Chem, Engen and many other participating retailers. Through continuous innovation, Zakhaa Pay is accelerating South Africa’s transition to a more inclusive, secure and cashless digital economy.