Zilla halts BNPL service to focus on cross-border payment

Key Takeaways

Despite facing slow adoption overall, there were two notable categories that exhibited relatively strong performance in the context of the Zilla platform – electronics and high-end beauty products. A source familiar with the business explained that these items, typically considered too expensive for the average consumer to afford in a single payment, garnered interest. However, even in these high-performing categories, a challenge emerged: customers expressed a desire for more flexibility than the maximum four-month payment window offered by Zilla. This observation underscores the nuanced dynamics of consumer behavior within the credit-based business model employed by Zilla, particularly in the African market. While certain product categories found traction due to their costliness, the demand for extended payment periods signals a need for greater adaptability in catering to the financial preferences of the consumer base. These insights shed light on the intricacies and challenges associated with credit-based approaches in the African business landscape.