In Zimbabwe’s fast-growing e-commerce space, payment remains a tricky business. Many small businesses have made progress in reaching customers online — but when it comes time to get paid, there’s still a big question: Do you trust the customer to pay before delivery, or after?In Zimbabwe’s fast-growing e-commerce space, payment remains a tricky business. Many small businesses have made progress in reaching customers online — but when it comes time to get paid, there’s still a big question: Do you trust the customer to pay before delivery, or after?

At Yaita, we’ve walked this road before. In our earlier phase, we helped merchants deliver thousands of orders across Harare and Bulawayo using a mostly cash-on-delivery (COD) model. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the risky side and in this post, we’re sharing what we’ve learned, and how merchants today can better manage their COD operations, while starting to shift toward safer, smarter wallet-based systems.

Why COD Still Reigns in Zimbabwe

Let’s face it — most Zimbabwean online shoppers still prefer to pay after they receive the product. And it’s not because they’re unreliable — it’s about trust and context.

• Trust Deficit: Customers want to see the item first, especially with products like clothes or electronics. They want to confirm that it’s what they ordered before parting with their money.
• Cash Economy: Despite the rise of mobile money and digital platforms, cash is still king in Zimbabwe due to mistrust in the financial system plagued by shifting currency and recurring cycles of hyper-inflation.
• High fees: Hight transaction fees and a 2% tax on digital payments pushes consumers to stay locked on cash payments.

So even with the rise of e-commerce platforms, COD remains the most widely accepted form of payment for deliveries. But it here comes baggage.

The Risks of COD (And What We Experienced)

When Yaita first launched in 2019, we handled all merchant deliveries using COD. Drivers collected cash from customers and later remitted it to Yaita, which then paid out to merchants. Simple in theory. In reality? Not so much.

Here’s what we saw first-hand:

• High failure rate: Up to 20% of deliveries were turned away at the door — often because customers weren’t ready, didn’t have the money, or simply changed their minds.
• Cash leakage: With drivers handling cash, incidents of misplaced funds or non-remittance emerged. Tracking was manual and reconciliation was painful.
• Delayed settlements: Merchants often had to wait 1–2 days to get their money — slowing restocks and creating friction in operations.

We knew something had to change.

Wallet Payments: A Smarter Way to Handle Money

As we rebuild Yaita, we’ve introduced a wallet system that helps merchants and drivers manage payments better.

Here’s how it works:

• Drivers pre-load funds into their wallet.
• Drivers complete deliveries and confirm cash collections.
• The collected cash is offset against the driver’s wallet in and settled into the merchant’s wallet in real-time — eliminating the need for physical handovers.

It’s a win-win: drivers don’t carry around piles of cash or cycle back to the merchant’s location to remit funds, and merchants don’t wait days to confirm what’s owed.

Tips to Make COD Work (Safely)

The journey to success is rarely linear, and there were plenty of bumps along the way. However, the entrepreneur’s persistence paid off. Their unwavering belief in their vision and refusal to give up even when things seemed impossible were what ultimately propelled them to success.

Today, the company that started in that small apartment has grown into an industry leader, impacting millions of lives with its innovative solutions. The entrepreneur’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence, vision, and the willingness to take risks.

Key takeaways

The journey from startup to success is a winding road that requires hard work, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from setbacks. Key takeaways from this entrepreneur’s story include:

1. Start with a vision: A successful business begins with identifying a need or opportunity and developing a clear vision to address it.
2. Perseverance is Key: Success doesn’t happen overnight. Persistence through tough times is what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who give up.
3. Adaptability and innovation: The ability to pivot and innovate when needed is crucial to long-term success.
4. Build a strong team: Surrounding yourself with talented, passionate individuals who share your vision can help scale your business and drive success.
5. Learn from setbacks: Every obstacle is a learning opportunity. Embrace failure as part of the process and use it to fuel growth.

Conclusion

The journey from startup to success is a long and challenging one, but with the right mindset, strategies, and a relentless pursuit of innovation, it’s possible to turn a dream into reality. The story of this visionary entrepreneur serves as an inspiration to all who aspire to make their mark on the world. As the business continues to thrive, it’s clear that their journey is far from over.