New offering allows retailers and e-commerce platforms to integrate flexible instalment payments while receiving full transaction settlement within 24 hours.

South African payments infrastructure company Stitch has launched a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solution designed for enterprise retailers and e-commerce merchants looking to add instalment payment options to their checkout environments.

The new offering enables customers to split purchases into interest-free instalments while merchants continue receiving the full transaction value within 24 hours. According to Stitch, the solution has been built on the company’s existing payments platform and can be integrated into current online payment environments used by enterprise and Stitch Express merchants.

Founded to support digital payments and financial infrastructure for businesses in South Africa, Stitch provides payment orchestration, online checkout and transaction services for merchants operating across digital commerce channels.

The company says demand for BNPL services has increased as consumers look for more flexible ways to manage higher-value purchases and everyday spending. Data from Stitch’s upcoming 2026 Consumer Report indicates that 71% of surveyed credit-active consumers in South Africa already use BNPL services with some frequency, while nearly 39% used the payment method for the first time within the last year.

Unlike payment methods designed primarily to speed up transactions, Stitch says BNPL is often used to enable purchases that customers may otherwise postpone or abandon altogether, particularly for categories such as electronics, furniture, fashion and household goods.

The platform allows customers to complete onboarding, identity verification and credit approval directly within the merchant checkout process without leaving the retailer’s website. Depending on credit eligibility, purchases can be split across two to six instalments.

Stitch said the structure removes repayment risk from the merchant side, as the company manages the instalment relationship with customers after the transaction is completed.

The BNPL product can also be configured based on merchant requirements. Retailers can choose to display instalment options only for transactions above a certain value, for selected product categories or as an alternative payment option when another transaction fails because of insufficient funds.

According to the company, the selective deployment model is intended to help merchants use BNPL in scenarios where purchase hesitation is more common, particularly for higher-ticket items and first-time shoppers.

The company added that enterprise merchants can access customer repayment insights through the platform, while consumers are able to manage outstanding instalments through a dedicated dashboard. Merchants using platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce or custom e-commerce systems can also customise the placement and design of BNPL widgets within their storefronts.

Stitch says the growing adoption of instalment-based payment methods reflects broader shifts in South African consumer behaviour, particularly as digital commerce platforms expand and customers seek greater flexibility at checkout.

“Customers are increasingly using BNPL for everyday purchases, including groceries, as a way of better managing their budget,” the company said.

Stitch BNPL is now available for eligible enterprise and Express merchants in South Africa.