First National Bank has introduced its eWallet service on WhatsApp, allowing users to create and manage digital wallets through the messaging application as the bank seeks to widen access to basic financial services.
The development means users can now open an eWallet directly on WhatsApp without needing an existing bank customer to send them money first, a process that previously served as the entry point into the service.
The bank said the change is intended to simplify access to digital financial tools for people who remain outside the formal banking system, including unbanked and underbanked users across South Africa.
According to Lytania Johnson, the move forms part of the bank’s efforts to expand the reach of digital financial services.
Johnson said eWallet has been used for more than a decade to enable money transfers between individuals, adding that integrating the service with WhatsApp is expected to make it easier for new users to adopt digital payments.
“For over a decade, eWallet has enabled millions of South Africans to send and receive money safely and conveniently,” Johnson said, noting that the new feature is designed to provide a simpler and more accessible entry point into digital finance.
Data released by the bank shows that more than R43 billion was transferred through the eWallet service in the past year, with about 69 million transactions processed over the same period.
Under the updated system, users who register through WhatsApp will be able to make instant payments, purchase prepaid services and withdraw cash at selected retail outlets across the country.
Participating retailers include Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, PEP and Ackermans, among others.
The service also allows users to access small cash advances ranging from R50 to R500, depending on customer eligibility.
Hema Morar said the expansion is designed to improve access to everyday financial services through commonly used digital platforms.
“At its core, eWallet is about access and convenience,” Morar said, adding that the integration with WhatsApp is intended to support individuals who rely on simple digital tools to manage payments and transfers.
The bank said the update forms part of broader efforts to expand the use of digital payments as more consumers shift towards mobile based financial services.
Analysts say messaging platforms such as WhatsApp have increasingly become channels for financial transactions in several African markets as banks and financial technology companies seek to reach customers through tools they already use regularly.
