Paymenow achieves record satisfaction as 94% of users report better quality of life
2026 Impact Performance Report shows that earned-wage access provider continues to deliver life-changing financial benefits for South African workers
15 January 2026 - Paymenow, South Africa's leading earned-wage access (EWA) provider, has released its 2026 Impact Performance Report, independently prepared by impact-measurement specialists 60 Decibels. The report, based on interviews with randomly selected users, confirms Paymenow's sustained positive impact on the financial wellbeing of South African workers: 94% of those polled reported an improved quality of life (and nearly two thirds a significantly improved quality of life) after using Paymenow.
Earned Wage Access (EWA) is a financial technology that allows employees to access their earned wages before their regular pay cycle. EWA is beneficial for employees who need access to their earned wages in real-time – an ever-more common situation in an economic environment marked by persistent cost-of-living increases.
Deon Nobrega, Chief Executive Officer at Paymenow, says “The 2026 Impact Performance Report confirms the quality of the role we play in empowering workers and businesses. Our users are clearly articulating the value of greater financial freedom and a better quality of life, alongside their appetite for well-made financial-education resources.”
"This report really backs up what we see every day in our interactions with employers and employees," says Bryan Habana, Chief Client Officer at Paymenow. "Behind every statistic there’s a person who doesn’t go to bed as stressed, who doesn’t need to resort to predatory lending practices, who knows they have options if a loved one gets sick. That’s something the whole team takes a huge amount of pride in."
Key insights
Paymenow transforms users' quality of life
94% of users report an improved quality of life, with 59% indicating significant improvements – well above the 60 Decibels Africa Financial Inclusion benchmark of 40%. This represents a notable increase from 2024, when 49% reported significant improvements.
Users cite reduced stress, better access to emergency services, and enhanced financial independence as key benefits. One respondent explained: "If my child is ill, I can get money to take him to the doctor. I no longer stress about borrowing from other people and owing people money with high interest rates. The stress is reduced with Paymenow."
Financial education is driving meaningful behaviour change
"Our growth reflects not just the increasing demand for earned wage access but also the hunger for effective financial-education services" says Nobrega. "What began as a solution to address a critical gap in financial services has evolved into a comprehensive financial-wellness platform."
Paymenow's financial education modules are proving highly effective, with 59% of users who accessed them rating them 10/10 for usefulness and an average rating of 8.8. Users report increased savings awareness, improved spending discipline, and – for 56% of those surveyed – access to financial education for the first time.
These positive outcomes are reflected in users' financial wellbeing: 89% report better financial management, 88% experience reduced financial stress, and 90% feel more in control of their finances.
User satisfaction reaches all-time high
Paymenow's Net Promoter Score® has climbed to 77 – up from 72 in 2024 and the highest in the company's history over the past five years. This excellent score is driven by a high number of Promoters and a low number of Detractors, with users highlighting the service's convenience, quick accessibility, and low interest rates as key satisfaction drivers.
Paymenow is reaching those who need it most
60% of Paymenow users are female, and 52% are in the bottom 60% of the wealth distribution, highlighting the service's strong reach among financially vulnerable groups. More than 60% of users report using their Paymenow cash-outs for work-related expenses, followed by food (39%), emergencies (including health-related emergencies) (38%), and utilities (34%).
Critically, 95% of users say they cannot easily find a good alternative to Paymenow, underscoring the service's unique value proposition.
Nobrega concludes, "These awards are gratifying indicators that we are addressing a societal challenge in a way that resonates with employers and employees. We remain focused on expanding the reach of our services, and their impact on financial wellness, inclusion and education."