--- title: Why Fast, Easy Expansion is Key to Accelerating VAS Growth description: Digital channel VAS expansion doesn’t have to be slow or complex. Electrum’s trusted cloud-native VAS solution enables rapid growth and scale. Learn how. image: https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/VAS%20Expansion%20Blog%20Cover-1.png --- [![Electrum](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/header-logo.png?width=500&height=150&name=header-logo.png "Electrum")](https://www.electrum.co.za/) ![Back Button](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/back.svg) Back ![Close Hamburger](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/close.svg) - [Home](https://www.electrum.co.za/) - Schemes - Schemes - Clearing House Payments - [PayShap](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/payshap) - [Real-Time Clearing](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/real-time-clearing) - [EFT Debit & Credit](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/electronic-funds-transfer) - [Account Verification Services](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/account-verification-services) - Alternative Payment Methods - [Cash Vouchers](https://www.electrum.co.za/payments/cash-vouchers) - 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[PayShap-Ready QR Code Issuing](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-ready-qr-code-issuing) - [PayShap for Retailers](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-for-retailers) - [Cash Voucher Issuing and Distribution for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-issuing-and-distribution-for-banks) - [Cash Voucher Retail Expansion for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-retail-expansion-for-banks) - [Retail Cash-In and Cash-Out Expansion](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/retail-cash-in-and-cash-out-expansion) - [High Volume POS-Integrated VAS Services](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/high-volume-pos-integrated-vas-services) - [Expanded VAS For High-Growth Digital Channels](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/expanded-vas-for-high-growth-digital-channels) - [Developers](https://api.electrum.io/) - Resources - Resources - Documentation - [Implementation Guides](https://www.electrum.co.za/documentation/product-guides) - [Solution Updates](https://www.electrum.co.za/solution-updates) - 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Value-Added Services - [Prepaid Airtime and Data](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/prepaid-airtime-and-data) - [Prepaid Electricity](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/prepaid-electricity) - [Bill Payments](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/bill-payments) - [LOTTO](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/lotto) - [Betting](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/betting) - [Travel and Event Ticketing](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/travel-and-event-ticketing) - [Digital Vouchers](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/digital-vouchers) - Solutions - [Clearing House Payments Modernisation](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/clearing-house-payments-modernisation-for-existing-banks) - [Turnkey Clearing House Payments](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/turnkey-clearing-house-payments-for-new-banks) - [Enterprise Payments Channel](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/enterprise-payments-channel) - [PayShap-Ready QR Code Issuing](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-ready-qr-code-issuing) - [PayShap for Retailers](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-for-retailers) - [Cash Voucher Issuing and Distribution for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-issuing-and-distribution-for-banks) - [Cash Voucher Retail Expansion for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-retail-expansion-for-banks) - [Retail Cash-In and Cash-Out Expansion](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/retail-cash-in-and-cash-out-expansion) - [High Volume POS-Integrated VAS Services](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/high-volume-pos-integrated-vas-services) - [Expanded VAS For High-Growth Digital Channels](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/expanded-vas-for-high-growth-digital-channels) - [Developers](https://api.electrum.io/) - Resources - Documentation - [Implementation Guides](https://www.electrum.co.za/documentation/product-guides) - [Solution Updates](https://www.electrum.co.za/solution-updates) - News - [Blog](https://blog.electrum.co.za/?__hstc=17958374.bff00b489d6fac1f58737d8799a2a91d.1721396613638.1724837978417.1724842684665.23&__hssc=17958374.47.1724842684665&__hsfp=3812773586) - [Press Releases](https://www.electrum.co.za/press-releases) - Insights - [Reports, whitepapers & flyers](https://www.electrum.co.za/insights) - Careers - [Jobs & Opportunities](https://www.electrum.co.za/careers) - [Interview Process](https://www.electrum.co.za/careers/interview-process) - [Trust](https://trust.electrumsoftware.com/) [![Contact](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/142132879/7f102097-b88c-49fd-b727-90c8e1009d5a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/142132879/7f102097-b88c-49fd-b727-90c8e1009d5a) ![Hamburger](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/hamburger.svg) [Business Case](https://blog.electrum.co.za/tag/business-case) [VAS](https://blog.electrum.co.za/tag/vas) [Opinion](https://blog.electrum.co.za/tag/opinion) # Why Fast, Easy Expansion is Key to Accelerating VAS Growth May 27, 2025 ![Kganya Molefe](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Blog%20Assets/Author%20Images/Kganya%20Molefe.jpeg) Kganya Molefe ![Post Header](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Electrum_October2023/images/banner-bg.svg) ![Why Fast, Easy Expansion is Key to Accelerating VAS Growth](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/VAS%20Expansion%20Blog%20Cover-1.png) With a total market value of [R497.68 billion](https://www.electrum.co.za/insights/the-state-of-vas-in-south-africa-2024), [value-added services](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/expanded-vas-for-high-growth-digital-channels) (VAS) continue to be a strategic business driver for market-leading banks and retailers in South Africa. With the right technology partner who understands the market and importance of digital offerings, expansion can be rapid and straightforward. Our latest research found that bank apps dominate as the preferred channel for almost all VAS purchases. This highlights the need for businesses to expand their VAS offerings further than traditional channels to optimise the convenience and accessibility brought by digital channels. Capitec’s latest financial results prove just that, with reports that their [VAS net income grew by 56%](https://www.capitecbank.co.za/globalassets/pages/investor-relations/financial-results/2025/audited-results/results_presentation_2025.pdf) due to an increase in VAS adoption, pushing their banking app transaction volumes to 1.5 billion. A technology partner who understands how to achieve speed to market to support your expansion objectives is undoubtedly a factor in the success achieved by banks and retail enterprises. The primary result is a thriving digital VAS business that’s always on, always available, and always ‘stocked’ with a full suite of VAS products.  ## Create a digital one-stop shop by expanding services With the most popular VAS products ranging from prepaid airtime and data to bill payments, the question is which services should you have?  All of them: All VAS services have shown growth between 2022 and 2024.  ### VAS Uptake in South Africa ![VAS Uptake in South Africa-1](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/VAS%20Uptake%20in%20South%20Africa-1.png?width=792&height=429&name=VAS%20Uptake%20in%20South%20Africa-1.png) The reality is, when a customer needs to make one VAS purchase on your channel, why not enable them to buy other services during this time as well? Not having an extensive VAS suite readily available limits your reach and risks customer loyalty. Availability and convenience could have them turning to a competitor that is better equipped to give them everything they want, within one purchasing experience. New services can be added faster if you are integrated into a solution that has prebuilt, multi-channel APIs. This means that your business only needs to maintain a single integration to access many service types, reducing complex and expensive development.  ## Always available with a wide and diverse network of service providers What’s the point of offering all the services if they aren’t reliably available? A multi-provider model ensures that VAS sales are always completed, even if one provider is down. [Preferential routing](https://blog.electrum.co.za/post/how-electrums-preferential-routing-can-help-vas-businesses-strengthen-customer-loyalty) directs traffic to the most competitive and available provider, ensuring you don’t lose sales or margins unnecessarily.  A competitive solution includes a large service provider network that simply needs you to plug in. Just as with services, adding a new service provider should be easy once you’re integrated and live with your first.  It's also essential that back-office teams have access to smart, automated failover processes - such as [load-balancing](https://blog.electrum.co.za/protect-prepaid-airtime-and-data-margins-with-mno-level-load-balancing) - that deliver a resilient solution and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.  Case Study ## Pick n Pay Boosts Prepaid Airtime and Data Service [Read the case study](https://www.electrum.co.za/insights/case-study-pick-n-pay-boosts-prepaid-airtime-and-data-service) ## Scale confidently and quickly for high transaction volumes Expanding into a high-growth, high-volume market means preparing for a surge in volumes. A cloud-native technology solution helps you build trust and speed by ensuring rapid, high-volume processing from day one. To ensure back-office teams are not going in blind, real-time monitoring and reporting gives the team high-resolution visibility, allowing you to maintain control as you scale.  Case Study ## Bank Expands VAS Portfolio with LOTTO [Read the case study](https://www.electrum.co.za/insights/bank-boosts-vas-portfolio-with-lotto-case-study)   ## Electrum is the trusted technology partner for rapid and secure expansion Electrum processes over 200 million transactions per month for South Africa’s leading banks, retailers and MNOs. Our trusted cloud-native solution leverages deep expertise, provides access to an extensive service provider network, and reduces complexities to get you to market fast. Learn how you can expand your VAS business for[high-growth digital channels](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/expanded-vas-for-high-growth-digital-channels)or get in touch to discuss how we can help you to optimise your VAS business. ![Kganya Molefe](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Blog%20Assets/Author%20Images/Kganya%20Molefe.jpeg) Kganya Molefe Kganya is a freelance Content Writer based in Johannesburg with experience in African Payments. When she’s not writing, Kganya enjoys journaling the old-fashioned way, listening to podcasts during her long walks, and passionately discussing the importance of low-cost, real-time, pan-African payment solutions with her friends and family. [More posts by  Kganya Molefe](https://blog.electrum.co.za/author/kganya-molefe) Recent Blog Posts ![Why Expanded Access Sets Your Money Transfer Offering Apart](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Money_Transfer_Blog_25%20compressed.png) ### Why Expanded Access Sets Your Money Transfer Offering Apart ![Protect Prepaid Airtime And Data Margins With MNO-Level Load Balancing](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/MNO_blog_25.png) ### Protect Prepaid Airtime And Data Margins With MNO-Level Load Balancing ![How to Build a Full-Complement VAS Solution for Your Business](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/6257bc9cab1576eff16f2287_building-a-vas-solution-1-Nov-21-2023-06-44-26-5139-AM.jpeg) ### How to Build a Full-Complement VAS Solution for Your Business # Electrum Newsletter Quarterly insights and news to help you keep up with the latest changes in the payments landscape [![Electrum](https://blog.electrum.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/Electrum_October2023/Images/footer-logo.png?width=500&height=150&name=footer-logo.png "Electrum")](https://www.electrum.co.za/) ###### Company - [Trust](https://trust.electrumsoftware.com/) - [About us](https://www.electrum.co.za/about-us) - [Press Releases](https://www.electrum.co.za/press-releases) - [Jobs and Opportunities](https://www.electrum.co.za/careers) - [Interview Process](https://www.electrum.co.za/careers/interview-process) ###### Clearing House Payments - [PayShap](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/payshap) - [Real-Time Clearing](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/real-time-clearing) - [EFT Debit & Credit](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/electronic-funds-transfer) - [Account Verification Services](https://www.electrum.co.za/schemes/account-verification-services) ###### Value-Added Services - [Prepaid Airtime and Data](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/prepaid-airtime-and-data) - [Prepaid Electricity](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/prepaid-electricity) - [Bill Payments](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/bill-payments) - [LOTTO](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/lotto) - [Travel and Event Ticketing](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/travel-and-event-ticketing) - [Digital Vouchers](https://www.electrum.co.za/digital-goods-and-services/digital-vouchers) - [Cash Vouchers](https://www.electrum.co.za/payments/cash-vouchers) ###### Solutions - [Clearing House Payments Modernisation](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/clearing-house-payments-modernisation-for-existing-banks) - [Turnkey Clearing House Payments](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/turnkey-clearing-house-payments-for-new-banks) - [Enterprise Payments Channel](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/enterprise-payments-channel) - [PayShap-Ready QR Code Issuing](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-ready-qr-code-issuing) - [PayShap for Retailers](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/payshap-for-retailers) - [Cash Voucher Issuing and Distribution for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-issuing-and-distribution-for-banks) - [Cash Voucher Retail Expansion for Banks](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/cash-voucher-retail-expansion-for-banks) - [Retail Cash-In and Cash-Out Expansion](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/retail-cash-in-and-cash-out-expansion) - [High Volume POS-Integrated VAS Services](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/high-volume-pos-integrated-vas-services) - [Expanded VAS For High-Growth Digital Channels](https://www.electrum.co.za/solutions/expanded-vas-for-high-growth-digital-channels) ###### Resources - [Implementation Guides](https://www.electrum.co.za/documentation/product-guides) - [Solution Updates](https://www.electrum.co.za/solution-updates) - [Reports, whitepapers & flyers](https://www.electrum.co.za/insights) - [Blog](https://www.electrum.co.za/blog) - [Developer Portal](https://api.electrum.io/) ###### Contact us - [Electrum Payments,Building 3, Podium Level, Riverlands Mall51 Gogosoa StreetObservatoryCape Town 7925, South Africa](https://g.page/ElectrumPayments?share) - [hello@electrum.co.za](mailto:hello@electrum.co.za) - [+27 21 448 6422 (office)](tel:+27214486422) - [+27 21 447 1227 (support)](tel:+27214471227) © 2026 Electrum Payments - 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