What bank codes does Paystack use for South African banks?

South African bank codes (branch codes) are 6-digit numbers, unlike Nigerian 3-digit codes. Common codes: ABSA: 632005, FNB: 250655, Nedbank: 198765, Standard Bank: 051001, Capitec: 470010. Use GET /bank?currency=ZAR to get the full current list from Paystack, as codes occasionally change.

Does Paystack support instant EFT payouts in South Africa?

Standard Paystack ZAR transfers to bank accounts go via the EFT system, which is not instant — it follows the T+0 or T+1 interbank settlement cycle. For instant payouts to SA bank accounts, the South African payment infrastructure does not yet support instant P2P bank transfers at the scale of mobile money in other African markets.

Why is my ZAR settlement delayed?

Common causes: South African public holiday in the settlement window (SA has 12 public holidays per year), transactions after 15:00 on business days pushing to the next cycle, unverified bank account, or a dispute/hold on the account. Check the Paystack dashboard for settlement status. Contact support if settlement is more than 3 business days late.

Can I send ZAR payouts to international bank accounts from Paystack SA?

Paystack's transfer API in South Africa supports ZAR payouts to South African bank accounts. International wire transfers involve SARB foreign exchange controls and require different arrangements. For cross-border ZAR transfers, consult your bank's international payments division.

Settlement and Payouts on Paystack in South Africa (2026)

Settlement and Payouts on Paystack in South Africa

Paystack South Africa settles ZAR revenue to your registered SA bank account on T+1 or T+2 (1-2 business days after transaction). To send payouts to South African bank accounts, create transfer recipients via POST /transferrecipient with type: "basa" (South African bank transfer), the SA bank code, and currency: "ZAR". Major SA banks — ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec — are all supported.

ZAR Settlement Timeline

Paystack South Africa settles ZAR to your SA bank account 1-2 business days after the transaction. South African banking hours affect settlement — transactions processed after 15:00 on a business day may settle on T+2 instead of T+1.

Banks supported for settlement: ABSA, FNB (First National Bank), Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, Investec, TymeBank, African Bank.

Sending ZAR Payouts to South African Bank Accounts

// Create a ZAR bank account recipient
async function createZARRecipient(name, accountNumber, bankCode) {
  var res = await fetch('https://api.paystack.co/transferrecipient', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { Authorization: 'Bearer ' + process.env.PAYSTACK_SECRET_KEY, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      type: 'basa', // South African bank transfer
      name,
      account_number: accountNumber,
      bank_code: bankCode, // e.g., '632005' for ABSA, '250655' for FNB
      currency: 'ZAR',
    }),
  });
  var data = await res.json();
  return data.data.recipient_code;
}

// Use GET /bank?currency=ZAR for current SA bank codes
// SA banks use longer branch codes (6 digits) unlike Nigerian 3-digit codes

Learn More

This guide is part of the Paystack by country guide.

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Key Takeaways

✓Paystack South Africa settles ZAR to your bank account T+1 or T+2.
✓ZAR payouts go to South African bank accounts — use type: "basa" for SA bank transfer recipients.
✓ZAR amounts in the transfer API are in cents (multiply ZAR by 100).
✓Use GET /bank?currency=ZAR to get current South African bank codes.
✓SARB (South African Reserve Bank) and PASA (Payments Association of South Africa) regulate the underlying payment infrastructure.
✓Weekend and South African public holiday transactions settle on the next business day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What bank codes does Paystack use for South African banks?: South African bank codes (branch codes) are 6-digit numbers, unlike Nigerian 3-digit codes. Common codes: ABSA: 632005, FNB: 250655, Nedbank: 198765, Standard Bank: 051001, Capitec: 470010. Use GET /bank?currency=ZAR to get the full current list from Paystack, as codes occasionally change.
Does Paystack support instant EFT payouts in South Africa?: Standard Paystack ZAR transfers to bank accounts go via the EFT system, which is not instant — it follows the T+0 or T+1 interbank settlement cycle. For instant payouts to SA bank accounts, the South African payment infrastructure does not yet support instant P2P bank transfers at the scale of mobile money in other African markets.
Why is my ZAR settlement delayed?: Common causes: South African public holiday in the settlement window (SA has 12 public holidays per year), transactions after 15:00 on business days pushing to the next cycle, unverified bank account, or a dispute/hold on the account. Check the Paystack dashboard for settlement status. Contact support if settlement is more than 3 business days late.
Can I send ZAR payouts to international bank accounts from Paystack SA?: Paystack's transfer API in South Africa supports ZAR payouts to South African bank accounts. International wire transfers involve SARB foreign exchange controls and require different arrangements. For cross-border ZAR transfers, consult your bank's international payments division.

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