South Africa’s toll plazas are set to receive a major technological upgrade, with tap-and-go payment systems to be rolled out across the country by the end of 2025.
The initiative, spearheaded by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral), is designed to improve security, efficiency, and hygiene for motorists.
Phased implementation
Starting October or November 2025, Sanral will begin the phased implementation of tap-to-pay terminals at its 30 self-managed toll plazas.
This follows successful adoption by private operators such as N3TC and N4TRAC, who have already enabled contactless payment options on the N3 and N4 routes.
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Bakwena, the last remaining toll operator yet to go live, will implement the system at its 15 plazas in the fourth quarter of 2025.
What You Need to Know: New Payment Options
The upgraded system will allow motorists to pay toll fees using:
- Tap-enabled bank cards (Europay, Mastercard, Visa)
- Smartphones and digital wallets (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay)
- Wearables (Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung, Apple smartwatches)
- SANRAL e-tags
- Cash (for those without contactless options)
Why the Change?
The shift is driven by a need to modernise toll operations and align with upcoming banking regulations that phase out magnetic stripe (magstripe) payments, which are more vulnerable to fraud like skimming and cloning.
Benefits include:
- Enhanced security through encrypted chip technology
- Faster processing, reducing congestion at toll gates
- Better hygiene, with minimal physical contact
Motorists are encouraged to ensure their cards and devices are tap-enabled or consider registering for a SANRAL e-tag to enjoy seamless travel through toll plazas.
The project is expected to mark a milestone in road payment infrastructure, bringing South Africa in line with international standards.
