Samsung Wallet Introduces Scan to Pay QR Integration with EFT Corp

Samsung has integrated a new QR payment feature into Samsung Wallet for the South African market, partnering with EFT Corp to launch "Scan to Pay." This move signals a significant push into alternative payment methods in a region where QR codes are bridging the gap between traditional banking and a rapidly digitising, mobile-first consumer base.

What was announced

The "Scan to Pay" feature, provided by EFT Corp, allows Galaxy users to conduct in-store and online transactions by scanning QR codes directly through the Samsung Wallet application. The integration is designed to streamline the checkout process, requiring users to follow a simple three-step workflow: open the Samsung Wallet, scan the merchant's QR code, and confirm the payment. This functionality removes the necessity for physical cards at the point of sale, targeting high-frequency use cases such as grocery shopping, dining out, and quick coffee runs.

The service leverages EFT Corp’s extensive infrastructure, which currently supports more than 600,000 acceptance locations across South Africa. Furthermore, the Scan to Pay technology is already integrated into over 19 million applications across the broader South African fintech and financial service provider ecosystem. For Samsung, the addition of QR capabilities complements its existing NFC-based payment options, providing a vital alternative for merchants who may not have contactless-enabled terminals but do display QR codes. Security for these transactions is managed through the Samsung Knox platform, ensuring that payment data remains protected by defence-grade encryption. Additionally, every transaction requires biometric authentication or approval, adding a layer of security to the mobile payment experience and encouraging the move toward a more cashless economy.

"Samsung doesn’t just focus on tech and AI innovation for Galaxy users. One of the core fundamentals within the product design process is having a deep understanding of what our users do with our devices, and importantly how we can make everyday usage more intuitive and easier. Our Wallet encompasses the true sense of what a Digital Wallet should be, we will continue to add practical innovation within our Wallet functionality,"

Zahir Cajee, MX Lead: Product and commercial Samsung South Africa.

The companies involved

Samsung is a global technology leader, providing a wide array of consumer electronics and enterprise solutions, including its Enterprise Edition mobile devices designed for secure business use. Samsung South Africa operates as the regional arm, tailoring the company’s global ecosystem—including the Samsung Wallet—to the specific financial infrastructure and consumer habits of the South African market. The wallet serves as a central hub for payments, loyalty cards, and digital keys, competing directly with other major mobile wallet providers and traditional banking apps.

EFT Corp is the primary partner for this rollout, acting as a leading provider of alternative payment solutions in South Africa. The company specialises in driving digital payment evolution by combining QR code technology with the needs of modern businesses. By facilitating 19 million app inclusions across various fintech and banking platforms, EFT Corp has established itself as a critical intermediary in the region’s financial landscape. Its "Scan to Pay" brand is a dominant force in the local market, providing the necessary scale and merchant network for Samsung to achieve immediate penetration in the QR payment sector.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed Samsung’s efforts to diversify its financial services portfolio globally. In July 2026, the company made a significant move into the North American market when Samsung Debuts First U.S. Credit Card: A Mobile-First Rewards Experience, highlighting its ambition to move beyond being a mere payment conduit. This expansion into South African QR payments also aligns with broader industry trends where major players are enhancing wallet capabilities, as seen when Mastercard Launches Wallet Services to Accelerate Global Digital Wallet Innovation. Additionally, Samsung’s broader technological ecosystem continues to draw investor interest, recently highlighted by the fact that xETFs Launches KSMH to Provide Targeted Exposure to Korea’s AI Semiconductor Ecosystem, which includes Samsung’s critical role in the semiconductor supply chain.

What this means

The integration of QR payments into a major hardware-led wallet like Samsung’s highlights the unique trajectory of the South African fintech market. While NFC remains the standard in Europe and North America, QR codes have become the pragmatic choice for emerging markets due to lower hardware costs for merchants and high mobile penetration. This move puts pressure on traditional card networks to ensure their digital equivalents remain competitive in terms of friction. It also raises questions about the future of hardware-agnostic payment apps; as manufacturers like Samsung bake these features directly into the operating system, third-party payment apps may find it increasingly difficult to compete on user experience and accessibility.