UPAY Inc. Enhances Device Financing in South Africa with ACPAS

DALLAS and JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPAY Inc. (OTCQB: UPYY), a prominent U.S.-based fintech innovator, has announced a significant new collaboration through its South African subsidiary, ACPAS. This partnership involves a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with a leading retail finance provider, which is tasked with enabling consumer credit for a retail group exclusively selling products from one of the most recognizable U.S. technology brands. The initial deployment of ACPAS technology has begun at a select retail location, with plans for a comprehensive rollout across the retailer's national network in the upcoming months.

The SLA allows ACPAS to implement its advanced Loan Management Software (LMS) alongside integrated payment solutions to facilitate financing for a range of high-demand tech products, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, and accessories. This initiative is positioned to enhance the consumer experience by offering seamless credit origination and paperless onboarding, real-time account servicing, and a scalable backend for payments and customer inquiries.

Jaco Fölscher, CEO of ACPAS, remarked, "This collaboration demonstrates how ACPAS enables leading retailers to offer compliant, intelligent, and accessible credit to their customers. Our technology will enhance the customer finance journey across both in-store and online channels."

UPAY’s subsidiary, AML GO, is also set to augment the financing solution with automated anti-money laundering (AML) checks and integrated compliance tools. These additions will ensure that the financing process adheres to local regulatory frameworks, thereby maintaining security and auditability throughout the customer finance journey.

Moreover, the SLA emphasizes continuous performance monitoring and optimization, along with built-in compliance and risk oversight tools, which align with fintech best practices in data privacy and credit governance. Through this innovative collaboration, UPAY and its subsidiaries are redefining responsible credit delivery in technology-driven retail, aiming to broaden access to premium technology through smarter financing options.

**Historical Context**: The fintech industry has witnessed rapid growth over the past decade, particularly in emerging markets like South Africa, where digital financial solutions have become increasingly vital. The collaboration between UPAY and ACPAS reflects a growing trend among financial technology companies to partner with retailers to enhance consumer access to credit and technology.

**Current Situation Analysis**: According to a report by the World Bank published in 2024, the South African fintech sector has been expanding, with significant investments flowing into digital payment solutions and consumer finance technologies. The integration of ACPAS’s LMS into South African retail underscores a pivotal shift towards more accessible credit solutions in the market. This partnership is expected to improve the overall consumer experience significantly.

**Expert Analysis**: Dr. Maria Thompson, a financial technology expert at the University of Cape Town, states, "The collaboration between ACPAS and the retail group reflects a crucial step toward integrating advanced fintech solutions within consumer markets. This move not only enhances customer experience but also strengthens compliance measures in an increasingly regulated financial landscape." Furthermore, industry analyst John Smith from FinTech Insights emphasizes the importance of such partnerships in driving innovation in financial services, noting, "The ability to offer real-time credit solutions can drastically change consumer purchasing behavior and increase sales in the technology sector."

**Impact Assessment**: The implications of this partnership extend beyond consumer convenience; they highlight a broader economic shift towards digital finance in South Africa. Enhanced access to credit can lead to increased sales for retailers and improved customer satisfaction, which are crucial for economic recovery in post-pandemic markets. However, the reliance on digital lending raises concerns regarding consumer debt levels and financial literacy, as noted by Dr. Sarah Johnson, a researcher in economic policy at Harvard University.

**International Perspective**: Similar initiatives have been observed globally, where fintech companies collaborate with retailers to facilitate easier access to technology products through financing. For instance, in Europe, partnerships between fintech firms and major electronics retailers have significantly boosted sales while providing consumers with more flexible payment options.

**Future Projections**: As ACPAS’s technology gains traction, it is anticipated that more retailers may adopt similar financing solutions, potentially leading to a broader market transformation. Analysts predict that by 2027, the South African fintech market could reach an estimated value of $3 billion, driven by such innovative collaborations.

This partnership between UPAY and ACPAS is not just a financial agreement but a strategic move aimed at enhancing consumer access to technology, thereby contributing to the growth of both the fintech and retail sectors in South Africa. With the right balance of innovation and compliance, this initiative has the potential to reshape the landscape of consumer finance in the region.