BoxCommerce, a technology platform built to simplify and strengthen online selling for local businesses, has announced a major step forward in its mission to empower small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). The company has partnered with Mastercard to launch a new prepaid payment solution that provides SMEs with fast, secure, and direct access to their earnings, a critical capability for entrepreneurs operating in emerging markets.
Founded in 2019, BoxCommerce was created to help small and medium‑sized businesses build and scale their online presence with ease. The platform offers an end‑to‑end suite of digital commerce tools, including online store creation, inventory management, integrated payments, order fulfillment support, and logistics coordination. Beyond websites, BoxCommerce enables merchants to sell seamlessly across social media channels, online marketplaces, and other digital touchpoints, dramatically widening their customer reach. Since its launch in South Africa, the platform has expanded its footprint into Kenya, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mirroring the rapid digitalization of retail in emerging economies.
The new partnership with Mastercard marks a significant evolution in BoxCommerce’s offering. Together, the companies have introduced a prepaid card, available in both virtual and physical formats, which is fully integrated into the BoxCommerce merchant dashboard. With this feature, entrepreneurs can now receive payouts instantly, eliminating delays typically associated with traditional banking processes. The direct access to earnings allows merchants to manage cash flow more efficiently—whether by purchasing new stock, funding operations, or reinvesting in marketing and growth initiatives.
Importantly, this collaboration transforms BoxCommerce from a pure e‑commerce enablement platform into a fintech partner for SMEs, bridging the gap between online selling and financial inclusion. The prepaid solution offers businesses a flexible alternative to traditional bank accounts, particularly valuable in regions where many entrepreneurs remain underserved by conventional financial institutions.
BoxCommerce CEO Craig McLeod emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, noting:
At BoxCommerce, our mission is to go beyond e-commerce by giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to run and grow their businesses. This collaboration with Mastercard allows merchants to receive their earnings instantly and reinvest directly into inventory and operations, helping them scale more efficiently.
From Mastercard’s side, the initiative aligns with the company’s global commitment to empowering small businesses. Mete Guney, Executive Vice President for Market Development across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, highlighted the critical role SMEs play in society:
When SMEs win, everyone wins. At Mastercard, we are committed to supporting small businesses with the technology, insights and trusted partnerships they need to thrive. By embedding Mastercard solutions into platforms like BoxCommerce, we are enabling entrepreneurs to digitize with confidence, access new opportunities, and contribute more fully to inclusive economic growth across Africa.
Through this partnership, BoxCommerce and Mastercard are not only accelerating digital commerce adoption but also strengthening the financial foundations that small businesses need to grow, compete, and build long‑term resilience in the digital economy.
