Leading data analytics, insights, and merchant services company, Touchsides, has rebranded as Kazang Insights and is now integrated into Kazang—the prepaid value-added services (VAS) and card acquiring division of JSE-listed fintech, Lesaka Technologies. This strategic move strengthens Kazang’s ability to monetise data and drive market innovation, reinforcing its position as a leader in South Africa’s informal economy.
Kazang Insights is dedicated to transforming raw data into actionable insights, helping businesses thrive in the informal market. Through its extensive network of electronic point-of-sale (ePOS) terminals, it gathers and monetises data in collaboration with fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, retailers, wholesalers, route-to-market suppliers, and financiers.
This rebrand follows Lesaka’s 2024 acquisition of Touchsides from Heineken International, positioning the business as an integral part of the Kazang ecosystem. By combining Touchsides’ advanced data analytics capabilities with Kazang’s vast market reach, the integration unlocks new avenues for data-driven growth and innovation across the informal sector.
With over 10,000 ePOS terminals operating across South Africa’s informal licensed taverns, Touchsides processes more than 1.5 million transactions daily. By leveraging these devices, Kazang Insights offers real-time visibility into sales data, enabling businesses to make smarter decisions, create tailored promotions, and drive strategic growth.
This evolution enhances Kazang’s data monetisation strategy by expanding insights beyond taverns to include spaza shops and other small traders. The integration also broadens Kazang’s footprint in the informal tavern sector, a key market segment with approximately 45,000 establishments.
Kazang Insights equips businesses with cutting-edge analytical and predictive solutions, empowering them to optimise decision-making, identify new opportunities, and drive measurable growth. With deep insights into consumer behaviour and market dynamics, brands can connect with previously untapped audiences, fostering meaningful impact and value creation.
“This integration is a strategic step towards future-proofing our business and strengthening our commitment to the micro-merchant market,” says Martin Wright, CEO of Kazang. “It underscores our focus on expanding market share through competitive differentiation.”
Jade Maserow, Data Analytics and Insights Lead at Kazang Insights, adds: “Our installed network and advanced insight capabilities provide a powerful platform to understand and engage with South Africa’s informal markets. We connect businesses to the heartbeat of the informal sector, enabling them to optimise performance and build lasting customer relationships.”
Main Image: Kazang