How much you earn can determine where you will pay your bills. Banks are a popular choice for households earning above R8,000 a month, according to recent survey research by Electrum Software. But if your household earns less than R8,000 a month, you’re more likely to pay your bills at a retailer.

Electrum found that different consumers pay their bills in ways that fit into their day-to-day lifestyles and budgets.

Their survey, conducted in November 2024, examined how South Africans purchase value-added services (VAS) such as prepaid airtime and data, prepaid electricity, and betting vouchers. With fieldwork taking place across all nine provinces, in both urban and peri-urban areas, Electrum says the findings highlight how VAS purchasing has become ingrained in everyday behaviour, with growth potential remaining for all businesses selling these services.

• Electrum is the next-generation payments software company, powering payments for banks and retailers.