National
Nearly 40% of virtual card spend in South Africa driven by women─── ZENANDE MPAME 16:14 Fri, 29 Aug 2025
Women now contribute nearly 40% of all virtual card spend in the country, demonstrating their influence in shaping the future of payments.
The rise of digital banking in the country was spotted by FNB after the surge in adoption of virtual cards by 99% in just one year, signalling a fundamental shift in how women interact with money and digital tools.
From groceries, clothing to travel and lifestyle purchases, women are increasingly using digital platforms to manage their financial journeys with greater control, security, and confidence.
In terms of spending categories, women’s top spending categories include eating out, fuel, groceries, clothing, accessories, and treats. For online purchases, the leading categories are travel and holidays, groceries, and general retail.
“Virtual cards empower women by giving them greater control, security, and flexibility over their finances,” said FNB Credit Card Data Science Head Akshay Bhayroo. This adoption is a clear sign women are shaping the future of digital payments, and they’re not just participating; they’re showing they are leading.
“These digital tools, like virtual cards, are starting to change the game. What we’re seeing is that these tools offer more control, more security, and more flexibility.
“We’ve seen interesting trends and patterns, especially with our virtual cards. We’ve seen women use these cards, not just for online spend, but also in-store spend.”
Money Smart Week will be concluded on Sunday (31/8) under the theme Smart Money: Financial Foundations for a Resilient Future.
It is an initiative that brings together financial institutions, regulators, as well as community organisations to make financial education more accessible for every South African.
The week included a range of activities and events that highlight key consumer financial issues. This year’s programme is built on the foundation of previous years and encourages even greater public participation.
“During this week, different organisations basically hold free workshops, talks, activations,” said Digibots at Digify Africa project manager Nothando Ginida.
It also includes online sessions where people learn practical skills like budgeting, saving, managing debt, and planning for the future through things like retirement plans and other investments.”
