By: Cornelius Coetzee, Country Manager – Verto South Africa

South Africa’s position on the global trade map is both strategic and complex. As Africa’s most industrialised economy, it plays a pivotal role in linking the continent to global markets. Although, despite its potential, businesses operating within and beyond its borders are increasingly constrained by outdated financial infrastructure, regulatory complexity and volatile currency conditions.

Cross-border trade is the driving force of economic expansion, especially in an emerging market like South Africa. Our businesses are finding it harder to compete globally when faced with delays, high transaction fees and ever-shifting compliance obligations. Modernising cross-border payment infrastructure is no longer a nice to have, it is an economic imperative.

A shifting regulatory landscape

Recent changes to the Common Monetary Area (CMA) regulations, which now classify low-value electronic transfers between South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia and Lesotho as cross-border, are just one example of how the regulatory goalposts continue to shift. What were once routine domestic transactions now require the same careful due diligence and compliance processes as large-scale international payments.

The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) strict oversight on foreign exchange and the evolving expectations around knowing your customer, anti-money laundering and sanctions screening have further complicated the picture. These changes, while necessary to protect financial systems, are disproportionately burdensome for small and medium-sized businesses. Many lack the internal resources to keep up and the consequences of non-compliance, delays, penalties and reputational risk can be severe.

In this complex environment, businesses need more than just compliance, they need confidence. They need to know that their transactions will be processed quickly, cost-effectively and in full regulatory alignment.

Forex exposure: A barrier to growth

The South African rand, while highly liquid, is also notoriously volatile. Currency fluctuations can drastically shift procurement costs, complicate contract negotiations and erode profit margins. All before a single product crosses a border.

Without access to effective currency management tools, many South African businesses opt for conservative global expansion strategies. They hedge less, invest slower and take fewer risks. This is a lost opportunity not only for individual businesses but for the economy as a whole.

If we want South African companies to go global, we must make it easier for them to manage forex risk. Businesses need platforms that offer real-time access to global currencies, smart treasury management tools and integrated hedging options that empower them to trade boldly and not fearfully.

Traditional banks can’t keep up

Most South African businesses still rely on traditional banks for their cross-border payments. Unfortunately, these systems were not built for the speed and complexity of modern global trade. Transactions often take three to five days to process. Fees are high, exchange rates are unfavourable and transparency is lacking.

For businesses with complex supply chains or those operating in time-sensitive sectors, these delays are more than an inconvenience, it’s a risk to continuity. Working capital is tied up in limbo, payment deadlines are missed and business relationships are strained.

What’s needed is a shift from legacy systems to fintech-enabled solutions that are built to meet today’s global trade demands. Systems that are faster, smarter and designed around business needs.

Fintech has entered the chat

This is where modern financial solutions like Verto come in. These platforms have not just emerged despite the complexities of cross-border trade, they’ve been designed because of them.

At Verto, we provide businesses with the ability to hold and transact in multiple currencies, seamlessly and securely. Our multicurrency wallets allow companies to streamline their FX costs, while real-time trading access to major global currencies, including USA, EUR, GDP, NGN and KES ensuring that they’re always in control of their cash flow.

Transactions that used to take five days are now settled within 24 hours. Integration with local payment networks means our users benefit from reduced costs and faster processing which is critical in an environment where speed equals competitiveness.

Compliance, simplified

We also know that compliance can’t be an afterthought. That’s why Verto’s platform includes automated built-in compliance mechanisms that align with global regulatory standards. With seven regulatory licences across major markets, our platform reduces the administrative burden on businesses while ensuring complete peace of mind.

Whether it’s simplified KYA, automated anti-money laundering (AML) screening or ongoing updates aligned with sanctions and regulatory shifts, we ensure our clients are always ahead of the curve and not playing catch-up.

Real-world impact

The business impact of modern solutions like Verto is already measurable. Our clients have reported increased efficiency, better cash flow management and greater confidence when expanding into new markets. In 2024 alone, Verto processed more than $16 billion in transaction value across 170+ payout countries. This isn’t theory, it’s transformation in action.

The road ahead

South Africa’s cross-border trade ecosystem is evolving rapidly. If we want our businesses to remain competitive and capture the full potential of global markets, we need to remove the friction from financial infrastructure.

Platforms like Verto offer more than just an alternative, they offer an advantage. By empowering South African businesses with the tools to trade faster, manage currency risk better and stay ahead of regulatory change, we’re laying the foundation for sustainable and scalable growth.

The future of global trade isn’t about waiting five days for payments to clear. It is about moving at the speed of business and with the right financial partner, South Africa can lead the way.