With SBC Digital – Africa due to begin tomorrow, we sat down with Mikael Lijtenstein – CEO of AstroPay – to discuss the upcoming event and why the last 12 months have accelerated the uptake in digital payment technologies.
What are you looking forward to at SBC Digital – Africa 2021?
Our main objective in attending this event is the possibility to network with relevant actors of the industry in the continent. We have a vast experience in emerging markets and in fact, we already operate in some of these countries, but we have the intention to broaden our horizons. Furthermore, we will be having a booth in order to be accessible to those that may be interested in knowing more about us.
What are your predictions for the gaming industry in 2021?
Speaking about payments, I may say that the drift towards digitalisation that was occurring, has been accelerated by the pandemic. This might be the biggest change the industry faced as there is no possibility to retrace it. Therefore, all forms of digital payments are becoming popular among users, where digital wallets have a starring role.
What are you promoting at SBC Digital – Africa 2021?
We are promoting One Touch, our digital wallet that can be integrated from a simplified integration process through an auto enrolment channel, with little to no IT intervention required on the merchant side. It provides the possibility of identifying users from a single code, as well as having a closed loop on them โ diminishing the chances of fraud. Receiving deposits from a simple touch, with automatic approval for recurring users, generates greater fluency and less friction in the interaction between the merchant and its customers.
Moreover, users will have an immediate payment option available from a simple โtouchโ, which allows them to have their funds, in just one place, with almost no friction. This multi-currency solution complies with high security standards that guarantee the prevention of fraud.ย
Which parts of the conference agenda have caught your eye?
The agenda as a whole is attractive because of the diversity of topics it deals with and because it provides the possibility to listen to different local actors in the industry.ย