How Universal Vouchers Connect South Africa’s Cash Economy to Digital Services

With over 70% of South African households reporting financial stress and over a third expecting to struggle with monthly bills, financial inclusion must mean more than just access to credit. It requires enabling cash-reliant consumers to participate seamlessly in an increasingly digital economy. On KayaBiz, we sit down with Brett Levy, Joint CEO of Blue Label Unlimited, to explore how prepaid networks and universal vouchers bridge the gap between physical cash and digital commerce. We unpack how tokenised payment ecosystems give cash-first shoppers flexibility over everyday spend, from utilities and connectivity to digital products, without requiring a traditional bank card.