PalmPay: A New Pay Pal Alternative from Transsion Holdings?

PalmPay is one of the new set of apps that Transsion is pushing out in the fintech space. The app is a payments service that is set to go up against PayPal and others. Earlier on, I had done a hands-on review of its sister app, PalmCredit. I got early access to the PalmPay app too and took it for a spin.

PalmPay Hands-on Review

Signing up was easy. The app required my phone number, and also required me to go through a captcha, as well as enter an SMS verification code. After that, I had to enter my name, email address and then create a security PIN.

I immediately got 200 Palmpoints for signing up. Users can ramp up more points by inviting friends or by buying mobile airtime. The app lets you fund your PalmPay account, withdraw, top up airtime, as well as view your statement.

I successfully topped up my mobile line from the 200 Palmpoints I have on the app. I was also able to fund my PalmPay account using my debit card. The email receipt I got showed that Paystack handled that funding transaction for Transsnet. Transsnet is the fintech subsidiary of Transsions Holdings.

You can send payment to a mobile number, a bank account or to a saved contact. You can make payment by scanning a QR code.

PalmPay is in the process of integrating the money transfer feature You will be able to request payment by creating a QR code and setting the amount you want to receive, or from a mobile number, or saved contacts.

I checked for country availability, and only 4 countries – Nigeria, China, Hong King and the United Kingdom – are supported right now. Eventually, PalmPay will likely be available everywhere Transsion Holdings sells smartphones. That means, many countries in Africa, Middle East, and Asia.

As A Pay Pal Alternative

While Pay Pal has a global footprint, it is long overdue for disruption. In many countries, Pay Pal still offers users limited access and features. In many cases, users can only make payment with it but not receive payments. That is a huge limiting factor.

If PalmPay is able to offer integration with other big payment platforms like MasterCard and VISA, as well as offer business accounts the ability to receive credit card payments, it will be a viable alternative to Pay Pal in many locations. I am betting that integration with VISA, MasterCard and Verve will happen, if it does not exist already. At least, the below graphic suggests so.

I am rooting for PalmPay to succeed and give emerging markets an alternative to Pay Pal’s near monopoly in the payments space. Transsion Holdings has the coverage and clout to pull it off.

PalmPay News and Updates

In April 2019, VISA announced a partnership in which PalmPay will launch an app with a mobile wallet in Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania. The mobile wallet will offer customers a platform to top up funds electronically or via offline access points, with the ability to make and accept individual and merchant payments. Visa cardholders will be able to initiate payments within the app and make online and mobile payments by attaching their card details to their PalmPay profile. Non-card carriers can generate a virtual Visa card upon registration.

Additionally, the PalmPay app will provide access to a variety of financial products offered by third parties. PalmPay is also introducing a loyalty points programme to incentivize the growth of the service.

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Author: Mister Mobility

Master storyteller and founder of Mobility Nigeria, Mister Mobility, has used and reviewed hundreds of mobile phones since 2001.