Cross Switch, a leading provider of innovative digital payment solutions, has achieved a major milestone in its African expansion by securing a Third-Party Payment Processor (TPPP) licence in South Africa, granted by the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) and sponsored by Absa.
The newly acquired licence positions Cross Switch as a key player in South Africa’s payments ecosystem, enabling the company to independently onboard merchants, fintechs, and non-profits. This development follows the firm’s recent certification as a Visa Payment Facilitator (PayFac), further enhancing its capabilities and reach.
“This is a vital step in expanding our network and strengthening our presence across the continent,” said Mark Chirnside, CEO of Africa at Cross Switch. “By enabling local merchants with multiple payment options, we’re empowering African businesses with the tools to reach broader markets and unlock growth opportunities.”
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With its flexible CS+ API platform, Cross Switch offers South African merchants seamless access to local and cross-border payment solutions. The platform currently supports transactions in key African markets including Kenya, Morocco, and Ivory Coast, and extends into Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Additional emerging markets are expected to be integrated soon.
The company’s immediate focus includes accelerating merchant onboarding in South Africa, where it has already signed contracts representing more than 1,000 local businesses. This adds to the over 1,000 merchants across the continent already using the CS+ platform.
Tim Davis, Group CEO of Cross Switch, highlighted the company’s strategic intentions: “Investing in South Africa is a strategic priority for Cross Switch. We’re resourcing up locally to ensure we’re ready to meet growing demand, and this licence and certification enable us to deliver world-class payment services that are both agile and scalable.”
