Uber Launches A Suite of New Product and Safety Features Across SSA #UberSSA @Uber_RSA

Hi Friends, 

Today Uber announced the launch of multiple new products and features which are going live this month in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. The launch, which took place simultaneously across various locations in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), also showcased Audio Recording, the latest addition to its suite of safety features.

Speaking at the event, General Manager for Uber SSA, Kagiso Khaole said the brand is pleased to be expanding into eight more cities during September across Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.

“As we gear ourselves to mark our 10th year anniversary next year, we are excited about moving into more cities enabling people to go anywhere and can get anything. Our commitment to raising the bar on safety remains relentless and we continue to work hard to grow the over 3 million earnings opportunities we have created thus far.”

Eight new cities and counting

Uber will now be operational in Owerri and Akure in Nigeria; Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru and Naivasha in Kenya; and Tamale and Sunyani in Ghana. These expansions are a testament to Uber’s commitment to the region and signal more opportunities for more drivers to earn, while riders have convenient and reliable travel options at the tap of a button. In these expansions, Uber brings a diverse product mix that is able to best serve the needs of the city residents.

More economical options for riders

To help reduce costs for riders and increase demand for drivers, Uber is launching UberX Share in Ghana and Nigeria and Uber ChapChap Share in Kenya. Uber’s shared rides offering allows riders to save up to 30% of the trip fare when matched with a co-rider heading in the same direction, and where a match is not possible, they will still be able to save 5% from their ride.

“The introduction of UberX Share allows us to proudly demonstrate the power of our platform, understanding the ability to match rider destinations while delivering convenience and affordability. We are a global company that builds locally; and in Ghana, we tapped into the local culture of car-pooling when moving around, which makes this product a great fit for the market,” says Khaole.

Travelling across the city with an entire crew has never been easier, with the launch of UberXL in Nairobi, Kenya. This option provides seating for up to six people which is great for airport and business trips where extra luggage space may be required. In South Africa, riders can now reserve their group travel 30 days in advance with UberXL Reserve and Uber Van Reserve.

Uber Comfort, which is currently available in South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire, will now be available in Ghana. This bespoke offering is designed for riders looking for an upgrade to their everyday ride with extra comfort. Drivers on Uber Comfort are known to provide excellent service while exhibiting friendliness, courtesy and professionalism.

Uber Connect, one of the app’s most popular products available in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana; will soon be available in two additional cities in Nigeria. Uber Connect is an on-demand delivery solution that allows users to send and receive packages with speed. The feature comes built-in with a PIN verification providing users peace of mind that their package is being delivered to the right person.

Taking a stand for safety

“Safety is at the core of how we do business and we are proud to announce three new safety features to help improve the experience of users”, says Khaole.

Audio Recording pilot in South Africa: Uber will now allow riders and drivers to use the app to record and share audio of their trip as evidence in the case of a safety incident - something that drivers have been asking for based on their feedback from roundtable sessions. This new opt-in audio recording feature, which is being piloted in Pretoria and Johannesburg, has been successful in the US and Latin American regions where Uber has a presence.

In-app emergency service in Nigeria: Uber is working with Sety in Nigeria, to provide on-demand security and medical response for riders and drivers while on a trip. This collaboration will also provide access to a private security response unit closest to their location, using a connected device.

Safety Check Up across SSA: This feature encourages riders to complete their safety profile by turning on and utilising the available features such as Trusted Contacts, PIN verification and RideCheck. This is available in all the countries within SSA where Uber operates.

Delivery innovations

At the launch, Uber Eats reinforced its aspiration of building an app of the future by creating a virtual mall experience that goes beyond just food. “Other categories we have ventured into include convenience stores, pharmacy outlets, alcohol and retail and this shows us that the possibilities are endless,” says Cikida Gcali-Mabusela, Head of New Verticals for Uber Eats Sub-Saharan Africa.

Uber Eats continues to push beyond boundaries with the adoption of the growing trend of dark stores, which gives non-traditional merchants opportunities to tap into unchartered markets that they wouldn’t have easily accessed.

Uber Eats currently operates in South Africa and Kenya. Kui Mbugua, General Manager for Uber Eats Kenya says, ‘With a 67% year-on-year growth of subscriptions on Eats, we are humbled and encouraged by the expansion that we have seen in the South Africa and Kenya markets.

“The future of logistics and technology in emerging markets looks promising. Our overall vision continues to be to build locally using global experience and become a one-stop shop for delivery needs. Not only is Uber Eats creating unique earning opportunities, but our operations also have a positive knock-on effect on restaurants, merchants, and delivery people. Looking ahead, we are committed to leading the category by investing in product and access, while leveraging the power of the platform,” concludes Kui.

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate on your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #10YearsofTheLifesWay. Support me if you want with USD 10 - https://www.patreon.com/TheLifesWay Namaste!

#SamsungPay Now Available on @TheGautrain @SamsungMobileSA #YourJourneyStartsHere

Hi Friends, 

Made for the new normal, Samsung Pay continues to grow in popularity

Over an unprecedented year, Samsung Pay has amplified its expansion of contactless payments through significant growth in South Africa. Having already reached the 3 Million transactions mark, Samsung Pay has now achieved another major milestone with its introduction on Gautrain. Commuters can now make use of the Tap & Go convenience of Samsung Pay as they travel using a Galaxy device or watch. There will be no need to preload a Gautrain card when you use the Samsung Pay system.

“This is another major milestone for Samsung Pay and for all South Africans looking for a safe and secure way to make payments on the go. The introduction of Samsung Pay aboard the Gautrain is a wonderful example of our ability to adapt and grow during this New Normal and beyond. It’s great to see Samsung leading the way at a time when there is a major focus on health and security. The convenience of the platform will have long-term benefits for the country, “Kagiso Khaole, Head of e-commerce and Services at Samsung South Africa.

Contactless payment has been prevalent and popular over the years internationally, and now we are seeing the same trend locally, with how South Africans have enthusiastically embraced Samsung Pay. Its benefits have of course come into the spotlight recently with the need for social distance, sanitise our hands and limit human contact. The system allows users to load their bank cards and store loyalty cards and adds even more convenience with the ability to use it on Gautrain with over 40 Samsung Galaxy smartphones and watches – making their journey a breeze.

As a pioneer in the category, South Africans placed their trust in the system early on. The impressive growth of Samsung Pay locally is fuelled by the need for enhanced security, simplicity and convenience. Additionally, Samsung Pay offers users monthly competitions, allowing customers to win prizes for simply paying at their favourite stores with Samsung Pay. Customers can also buy prepaid vouchers for electricity, mobile airtime/data, gaming and multimedia streaming services like Netflix, Showmax and Spotify as well as the offer of a Newsstand subscription, which provides access to thousands of magazines and newspapers for a monthly subscription of R90 per month. Samsung Pay customers gain instant access to the multitude of titles both local and international, accessible from any device with a shelf value of approximately R45 a magazine, including categories of automotive, arts, health, sport, family, financial and entertainment to mention a few.

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!

How South Africans Are Driving the Growth of #SamsungPay During Lockdown? #FriyayForPay @SamsungMobileSA

Hi Friends, 

The greater emphasis on health and the need for social distance recently has amplified the relentless expansion of contactless payments, with Samsung Pay seeing significant growth in South Africa. The global pandemic has had a fundamental impact on our behaviours in a matter of months. With remote working and online shopping more of a norm, we’ve also adapted to the need to keep our distance, sanitise our hands and limit human contact. This is seen very clearly when we shop in-store which is why even more South Africans have enthusiastically gravitated towards Samsung Pay, as a safer, simpler and secure way to pay using our beloved smartphones. These are some of the reasons Samsung Pay has now surpassed 3 million transactions in the country, leading the way in the mobile tap-to-pay category. This could indicate a shift in how South Africans view cash, especially with the massive increase in smartphone usage. Additionally, Samsung Pay has grown, as it is also available in Samsung’s range of affordable A-series smartphones. This makes Samsung Pay accessible to over 40 Samsung Galaxy smartphones and watches.

“Samsung Pay just went extra contactless, making payments contact-free, which has enhanced its appeal to South Africans. As a pioneer in the category, South Africans placed their trust in the system early on. The impressive growth locally is fuelled by the country’s passion for innovation that puts their needs first – foremost security and secondly, convenience at its very finest. Samsung Pay reached two million transactions in February, so the acceleration in usage is immensely positive “says Kagiso Khaole, Head of e-commerce and Services at Samsung South Africa.

Samsung Pay Adds More Reasons to Go Contactless

It offers users monthly competitions, allowing customers to win prizes for simply paying at their favourite stores with Samsung Pay.

In addition, customers can buy prepaid vouchers for electricity, mobile airtime/data, gaming and multimedia streaming services like Netflix, Showmax and Spotify as well as the offer of a Newsstand subscription, which provides access to thousands of magazines and newspapers for a monthly subscription of R90 per month. Samsung Pay customers gain instant access to the multitude of titles both local and international, accessible from any device with a shelf value of approximately R45 a magazine, including categories of automotive, arts, health, sport, family, financial and entertainment to mention a few.

About Samsung Pay

The popular payment solution has enhanced the way we pay, via the ability to use multiple payment cards from our banking partners in one digital wallet, with our network now including ABSA, Standard Bank, First National Bank, RMB Private Bank, Discovery Bank, Investec, Nedbank, Virgin Money and British Airways. Store loyalty cards can also be added to Samsung Pay on Galaxy devices, for additional convenience – making a traditional wallet far less necessary and checkout even quicker.

Security is one of the biggest concerns in payment systems and consumers can rest assured that Samsung Pay comes with an additional layer of security know as Samsung Knox, a set of security features pre-installed in most Samsung smartphones, tablets and wearables to provide our consumers with peace of mind. Samsung Knox technology constantly monitors your phone to keep your information safe while every purchase uses an encrypted digital token for added security, so your actual card number is never stored or used during a transaction and your token information is encrypted in a separate and secure data vault at all times. Ultimately, Samsung Pay has re-imagined the way we pay.

Samsung Pay can be used with the following devices: Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Z Flip, Note20 Ultra 5G, Note20 Ultra, Note20 5G, Note20, S20 Ultra, S20+, S20, S20 FE, S10+, S10, S10e, Note10+, Note10, Note10 Lite (NFC only), Note9, Note8, S9+, S9, S8+, S8, S7 Edge, S7, A9, A80, A8, A71, A70, A7 (2017), A51

Cheers!!!

Support me if you like reading this blog post by buying me a cup of tea or coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheLifesWay Contact at thelifesway@gmail.com to collaborate and promote your services and products. Subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel for giveaways, product reviews and mystery unboxings. #TheLifesWay #9YearsofTheLifesWay. Namaste!