Zimbabweans are increasingly turning to digital payments, but cash remains the preferred option for everyday transactions.

A survey by Topline Research Solutions found that e-commerce adoption has risen sharply from 17 percent to 50 percent, while confidence in digital payment platforms stands at 72 percent.

Mobile money leads digital payment options with 52 percent adoption. However, owning an account does not always translate into active use. While many cards have been issued, only about 20,000 are reportedly being used.

Cash remains particularly dominant in public transport, where 95 percent of people still pay using physical money.

The survey also identified complexity as a major barrier, with 56 percent of respondents saying digital systems are difficult to use. Fraud concerns and poor accessibility for people with disabilities are also slowing adoption.

Zimbabwe’s shift towards digital payments is clearly underway, but providers still need to make their platforms simpler, safer and useful enough to compete with the convenience of cash.