Last updated 1 March 2025
RealPay's regulatory compliance frameworks and certifications.
Last updated 1 March 2025
RealPay operates in a regulated payments environment and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, governance, and security across all markets in which we operate. Our regulatory approach supports safe, transparent, and reliable payment services for our partners and clients.
RealPay provides payment and collections solutions across several African markets, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Uganda, and Zambia, working with regulated banking partners and payment system operators in each jurisdiction.
1. Regulatory Framework
Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime
RealPay maintains robust anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing controls.
In South Africa, RealPay is registered as an accountable institution under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), is PASA certified and accredited, and is an authorized Financial Services Provider (FSP 45717) licensed by the FSCA.
Our compliance programme includes:
- Customer due diligence; Know-Your-Customer (KYC); and Know-Your-Business (KYB)
- Ongoing transaction monitoring and risk assessments
- Reporting suspicious transactions to the relevant authorities
- Record retention in line with regulatory requirements.
These principles are applied consistently across all the jurisdictions in which RealPay operate.
Data Protection and Privacy
RealPay is committed to protecting personal information and maintaining strong data security standards.
- In South Africa, personal information is processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013).
- In Botswana, personal information is processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2018 (Act No. 32 of 2018); (Data Protection Bill, No.19 of 2024).
- In Eswatini, personal information is processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2022 (Act No. 5 of 2022).
- In Lesotho, personal information is processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2011 (Act No. 11 of 2011).
- In Namibia, we handle personal information in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements and generally accepted data protection practices.
- In Uganda, personal information is processed in accordance with the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019 (Act No. 9 of 2019).
- In Zambia, personal information is processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2021 (Act No. 3 of 2021).
Appropriate safeguards, governance frameworks, and internal controls are implemented to ensure the secure collection, processing, and storage of personal data across our platforms.
Payment System Regulation
Our payment and collections services operate within the regulatory frameworks governing national payment systems in the markets we serve.
1. Payment Scheme Compliance
Payment Scheme and Industry Compliance
RealPay adheres to the rules and standards of the payment schemes, banking partners, and industry bodies with which it works. This includes compliance with applicable requirements for:
- Card payment schemes (such as Visa and Mastercard)
- Debit order and authenticated collection systems.
- Payment association and banking partner rules
- Security standards, including cardholder data protection.
1. Regional Compliance
Operating across multiple African jurisdictions requires alignment with local regulatory frameworks governing payments, financial crime prevention, and data protection.
RealPay works closely with local regulators, banking partners, and payment system stakeholders in each market to ensure our solutions remain compliant with the applicable laws and industry standards of those jurisdictions.
1. Audits and Certifications
RealPay maintains a strong compliance posture through ongoing internal controls, monitoring, and independent assessments. Regular audits and reviews are conducted to ensure our systems, processes, and governance frameworks meet applicable regulatory and industry standards.
Information relating to specific certifications or audit scope may be made available to approved partners under non-disclosure agreements where appropriate.
1. Reporting and Cooperation
RealPay cooperates with regulators, law enforcement agencies, and financial institutions to prevent and investigate fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes.
1. Contact
For compliance-related enquiries:
RealPay (Pty) Ltd