While the changes in the Fintech Payments industry, brought on by the pandemic, were seen across all markets, Fast-growing and Emerging economies have experienced the biggest shift. Increased use of mobile payments has put them at the forefront of the new payment technologies adoption.

It is now clear that the coronavirus pandemic served as a significant catalyst for growth in the Fintech Payments industry. The changes in consumer behaviour the pandemic imposed, alongside the massive expansion of e-commerce, brought new consumers into the market, increased the volume and variety of purchases, and promoted new payment methods. While the changes were felt across all markets, Fast-growing and Emerging economies have had to adapt the most, and seems to be leading the way in the adoption of new payment technologies.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on how buyers shop online. In the developed countries, the volume of online purchases increased—amounting to $4.28 trillion —as has their scope. Consumers started shopping online for a wider range of goods, including bulky ones such as furniture and tools alongside groceries.

‘Instant delivery’ services pair with contactless payments

The share of goods traded across borders increased, both regionally and globally. More shopping is now conducted through "instant delivery" services, which deliver goods within minutes rather than days. Contactless payment options became more popular, as cash and card machines were identified as a pandemic risk. With such changes, new user groups have entered the market as well, especially the older generation, which long resisted the shift to Fintech.

Rise of online purchases in Emerging Markets

While generally trends differ from continent to continent, Emerging markets saw some of the same trends as the mature markets. Online purchases were on the rise, as was the demand for international goods and services. There was also a significant increase in the number of people that purchased online. For example, 68% of South Africans were spending more time shopping online than prior to the pandemic—most common items bought through e-commerce platforms in 2020 were clothing and groceries.

“The pandemic has caused a behavior change that will be difficult to undo,”

notes Frank Breuss, Co-founder ofNikulipe, a fintech company connecting Fast-Growing and Emerging Markets with the global payments industry.

“These changes are not localized or specific for a number of countries, as it usually is. Once people have made the shift to more convenient payment methods, they are unlikely to go back, and we are seeing this happen for more than a year now.”

Mobile payment—key to e-commerce success

The move to new payment methods gave rise to the trend of the increasing popularity in local payment methods (LPMs), such as the various mobile payment systems operated by national telecom companies. Breuss singles out two main reasons why mobile payments are becoming that much more popular: many buyers in Emerging markets, like in mature economies, still wish to keep the physical contact to a minimum—and will continue to do so; buyers are also without access to credit cards, which makes mobile payments more widely accessible.

Such and similar technologies allow them to deposit money on their account and send it to anyone else on the network, including merchants. That is why LMPs are being called the key to e-commerce success in Emerging markets.

Pandemic-influenced trends are here to stay

Breuss identifies the development of multinational LMPs as a key opportunity in the industry, as cross-border payments are growing rapidly.

“It is critical that Fintech firms seize the momentum and continue to push for new and better technology,”

explains Breuss.

”Interestingly enough, Emerging markets seem to be leading the way with mobile payment systems that are much more 'instant' than what we have in Europe or the U.S. It’s something worth keeping an eye on, as businesses seem to be slowly moving back to normal.”

The coronavirus pandemic has brought significant changes to consumer behavior and what has been thought of as trends, set in motion by the pandemic, seem to be truly global, affecting the markets worldwide. As consumers in both Mature and Emerging markets get used to more convenient means of payment, the continuity of such behavior could stay much longer than anticipated.

Nikulipe is a Fintech company that facilitates Emerging and Fast-Growing market access for Fintechs, Payment Service Providers, and their merchants by streamlining cross-border payment solutions. Established in 2019, Nikulipe was founded by serial entrepreneurs, who have vast experience in the Fintech-industry, with direct expertise in payment industry technology and business development. Learn more about Nikulipe by visiting nikulipe.com