South Africa is no longer just a “hot GEO.” It’s a serious growth market for anyone who knows how to handle Tier-1 traffic. Strong demand for microloans, a stable financial sector, and EPCs that genuinely impress — all of this makes the country one of the most exciting places to scale right now.
In this interview, a Leadgid manager breaks it all down — no fluff. We talk about which offers are actually converting, where beginners should start with a small budget, and where the top affiliates are making real money. If you’re already running Tier-1 traffic — or just exploring new GEOs — this might be the starting point for your next profitable launch.
1. South Africa is getting a lot of attention among affiliates. Why did this GEO suddenly “blow up”? Is it the new gold rush — or just hype?
Right now, people are calling South Africa the new gold rush — and honestly, there’s some truth to that. The market has serious potential.
It’s a country with a large population, millions of smartphone users, and widespread internet access. But at the same time, traditional bank loans are still hard to get for many people. That creates constant demand for short-term, quick cash solutions.
And this isn’t some temporary trend. People will always need to cover gaps before payday. That demand isn’t going anywhere. We see South Africa as a long-term, stable opportunity that’s going to stay relevant for years.
2. What does a typical borrower in South Africa look like? What are their pain points, and what hooks work best in creatives?
The audience is pretty broad — usually people between 20 and 60+. That includes young professionals just entering the workforce, families, and even people close to retirement.
Most are salaried employees who occasionally run short on cash. It’s everyday stuff: transport, groceries, utilities, medical expenses, or unexpected bills.
They’re usually not looking for a huge loan. They just need a small amount to bridge the gap until payday.
What works best in creatives?
Speed: “Money on your card in 15 minutes”
Simplicity: “No paperwork, no guarantors”
Convenience: “Apply directly from your phone”
Anything that shows the process is fast, online, and hassle-free performs well.
3. Which offers are performing best in South Africa right now — and why?
We’ve got a strong lineup for South Africa at the moment.
If we’re talking about top revenue performance, LendPlus and Primeloans (CPA model) are leading the pack, with EPC around $0.23–0.24. Those are very solid numbers.
Why do they convert so well? Simple funnel, fast approval. The user fills out a short form, gets a quick decision — and everyone’s happy. The client gets their loan, and you get paid.
On the CPL side, Finpug (EPC $0.16) and Dengoo (EPC $0.10) are strong performers. These are great for beginners since you get paid per lead — risk is minimal.
There’s also Crezu on a CPQL model with EPC around $0.11 — a great middle ground if you know how to pre-qualify traffic.
So basically, there’s something for every level and strategy.
4. CPA, CPL, CPQL — which model is actually the most profitable in South Africa? Where should beginners focus, and where can experienced affiliates scale?
It’s pretty straightforward.
If you’re new — start with CPL. You get paid for every completed application, which keeps risk low. It’s the best way to test the audience and creatives without burning your budget. Finpug or Dengoo are perfect for that.
If you’re experienced and confident in your traffic quality — go CPA. Yes, you’ll need the loan to be issued before you get paid, but payouts are much higher. That’s where serious money is made.
CPQL sits right in the middle. If you’re good with pre-landers and filtering traffic upfront, offers like Crezu can be very profitable.
5. Is everyone just running Facebook and Google, or are there “secret” traffic sources in South Africa?
Facebook and Google are the foundation. They bring volume, no doubt.
But if you want to expand your funnel, try SMS campaigns and WhatsApp traffic. Those channels are extremely popular in South Africa, and traffic costs are often lower than in traditional ad networks. The key, of course, is having a quality database.
Another underrated source? Local classifieds and news portals. They can bring cheaper clicks and warmer audiences thanks to local context.
The best strategy? Combine them. Use Facebook for scale, and local channels to bring in cheaper, high-quality traffic.
6. Tier-1 markets come with scary stories — bans, regulators, payout issues. What are the real pitfalls in South Africa, and how do you avoid them?
The biggest pitfall in South Africa is the regulator. They’re strict about misleading borrowers.
No “100% approval.”
No “Loan without checks.”
That’s how you get banned — either by the ad platform or the advertiser.
Want to sleep well at night? Stay compliant. Keep your creatives honest. Don’t promise unrealistic results.
And most importantly — work with trusted affiliate networks. We’ve already checked our advertisers for licenses and compliance. We handle the boring stuff so you don’t have to.
7. Let’s say I’m a beginner with a small budget. Give me a simple step-by-step plan to test South Africa.
Sure. Here’s a basic roadmap:
Step 1. Budget
Set aside $300–500 for testing. That’s enough to gather meaningful data.
Step 2. Choose an offer
Start with CPL — Finpug or Dengoo. Safer model, minimal risk.
Step 3. Traffic source
Launch Facebook ads optimized for traffic. Target men and women 20–64 in major South African cities.
Step 4. Creatives
Make 3–4 simple images with clear messaging like:
“Need money before payday? Get it online in 15 minutes!”
Don’t overcomplicate it. Clear offer + strong CTA.
Step 5. Analyze
After 2–3 days, check which creatives and audiences are generating the cheapest leads. Turn off what’s not working. Shift budget to the winners.
The goal of your first test isn’t to make a million. It’s to understand what works. Then you scale.
8. Looking ahead — what trends will dominate South Africa’s financial market next year?
Microloans will remain the foundation. No doubt about that.
But I see two strong trends emerging:
1. Credit cards
More people want a credit limit “just in case.” Credit card offers will gain momentum.
2. BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later)
Installment payments have already exploded in Europe and the US. South Africa is next in line.
So yes — microloans are solid. But if you want to be ahead of the curve, start looking at credit cards and BNPL now. The early movers will take the biggest share.
Final Thoughts
South Africa is one of the strongest Tier-2 growth markets right now — but it’s just the beginning.
At Leadgid, we offer a wide range of finance offers across multiple Tier-2 and emerging GEOs, including microloans, credit cards, and BNPL. That means more room to test, scale, and diversify.
Because long-term profit isn’t about one GEO — it’s about building a flexible portfolio and moving fast when opportunities appear.
And when you’re ready to expand beyond South Africa, we’ve got you covered. 🚀
