The Shoprite Group is expanding its footprint in South Africa’s informal retail sector following an agreement to acquire a majority stake in payments technology firm R&A Cellular, a move aimed at widening access to digital and financial services within township communities.
The transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approval, is expected to enable Shoprite to extend its Money Market financial services beyond its supermarkets and digital platforms to thousands of informal retailers, including neighbourhood spaza shops that serve as essential outlets in many communities across South Africa.
Industry observers note that small independent traders play a critical role in local economies, particularly in township and peri-urban areas where residents depend heavily on nearby stores for daily purchases and essential services. These outlets also handle frequent transactions such as airtime purchases and electricity payments, positioning them as strategic channels for expanding access to financial and digital services.
R&A Cellular operates a point-of-sale platform that enables informal retailers to sell prepaid airtime and electricity, gaming and entertainment products, while also accepting card payments. By integrating this network with Shoprite’s financial services ecosystem, the retail giant aims to bring everyday transactions closer to customers’ homes.
Both companies already maintain a working relationship, with R&A Cellular’s devices currently facilitating the sale of Shoprite vouchers across its merchant network.
Commenting on the development, founder and chief executive of R&A Cellular, Rui Campos, described the partnership as a significant milestone for the company.
“This partnership marks a transformational moment for R&A Cellular. By aligning with the Shoprite Group, we are combining deep retail scale with our technology and prepaid expertise to accelerate financial inclusion and unlock greater value for traders and communities across South Africa,” Campos said.
Shoprite, however, said the investment forms part of a broader strategy to expand the reach of its Money Market platform, which provides services such as payments, money transfers and other financial products through its extensive store network.
General Manager for Financial Services at the Shoprite Group, Jean Olivier, said the collaboration would strengthen the delivery of everyday financial services.
“R&A Cellular has built a sound business with a strong management team and a platform that is well regarded in the market,” Olivier said, adding that the partnership would combine Shoprite’s scale with R&A Cellular’s presence in the informal retail sector.
According to the company, integrating its financial services with R&A Cellular’s platform could allow customers to carry out routine transactions closer to where they live, reducing the need to travel long distances to shopping centres or bank branches.
For informal retailers, the expanded offering is expected to broaden the range of services available to customers, potentially increasing foot traffic while enabling merchants to manage transactions digitally and reduce reliance on cash.
