Google has launched Google Wallet, together with its integrated Google Pay service, in South Africa as a form of digital payments. Aside from the said country, the app is also launched in five other markets around the world.
South Africa is the first market of Google Wallet in Africa. According to Google, the launch of the app will make it easy for users to save as well as to securely access their payment cards, loyalty cards and boarding passes, as per TechCrunch.
Google Plans a Global Rollout of Google Wallet
On Monday, ahead of Tuesday's launch, the global product director at Google for Google Wallet, Dong Min Kim, spoken to South African journalists.
During the press conference, Dong Min Kim said that the roll out of Google Wallet is part of "broader plan to make the service available in many more markets around the world," as per TechCentral.
Aside from South Africa, Google Wallet and Pay were also launched in Iceland, Serbia, Qatar, Moldova and Azerbaijan. Google said that more countries will follow in the future.
According to Google, the cardholders of partner banks in the country such as FirstRand Bank, Discovery Bank, Investec, Standard Bank, ABSA and Nedbank can start adding their details on the Wallet.
After the bank details were added on the Wallet, users can start making contactless payments using their Android phones and Wear OS devices.
Currently, users can add payment cards, loyalty cards and boarding passes on the Wallet. But Google said that the items that can be added is expected to increase in the future.
Google wanted to proceed with its plans to replace physical wallets, and "keep up with the need for rapid digitization."
According to Dong Min Kim, Google is speeding up the global roll-out of Wallet due to a "generational shift," as users now have a tendency to delve away from the traditional modes of payment, as per TechCentral.
Read Also: Google Wallet Rolls Out For Wear OS; Expect More Features Soon
How Does Google Wallet Work?
According to TechCentral, the bank details of those who already have a credit or debit card saved to their Google account will appear automatically in Wallet. Users only need to set it up for contactless payments.
Users can add a new card in Wallet if they don't have a card saved yet. They can simply select the "Add a card" prompt located at the top of the wallet app page.
Upon selection of "Add a card" prompt, users will be prompted to "review and accept the issuer terms and conditions before use."
Upon acceptance and verification of their card information, the users' cards will be tokenized. Afterwards, it will be ready for use in the Google Wallet.
The user will then be able to use the app to tap and pay in stores. Users can also pay online in instances when Google Pay or contactless symbol is visible.
It is also fairly easy to add digital items, like boarding passes, to Google Wallet.
For instance, once users completed the purchase of a flight, they will see a button labelled "Add to Google Wallet." Clicking on it will create the digital version of the boarding pass in their Wallet.
Related Article: Google Starts Rolling Google Wallet to Users - Will it Replace Google Pay?
