Acceptable Use Policy

Version: 1.2

Effective Date: 2026-06-08

1. Purpose

This Acceptable Use Policy ("Policy") forms part of the Kwik Merchant Agreement.

Its purpose is to protect Merchants, Customers, financial institutions, payment partners and Kwik from unlawful, fraudulent and excessively risky activity.

This Policy applies to all Services provided by Kwik.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to:

• all Merchants;
• all authorised users;
• all payment methods;
• all API integrations;
• all hosted payment pages;
• all payment links;
• all payout services; and
• all transactions processed through the Services.

3. Merchant Responsibilities

Merchants must ensure that their use of the Services:

• complies with Applicable Law;
• complies with the Merchant Agreement;
• complies with all Legal Documents;
• complies with payment network rules;
• complies with acquiring bank requirements;
• complies with sponsoring bank requirements; and
• does not expose Kwik or its partners to unreasonable financial, operational or reputational risk.

4. Prohibited Activities

The Services may not be used to:

• commit fraud;
• facilitate fraud;
• launder money;
• finance terrorism;
• evade sanctions;
• process fictitious transactions;
• process transactions without a genuine commercial purpose;
• test stolen payment credentials;
• disguise the true nature of a transaction;
• submit false information;
• impersonate another person or organisation;
• circumvent payment network rules;
• avoid regulatory requirements;
• evade taxes;
• distribute malware;
• interfere with the Services;
• attempt unauthorised access;
• conduct phishing;
• facilitate identity theft;
• engage in deceptive business practices; or
• engage in any unlawful activity.

5. Restricted Businesses

The following businesses require Kwik's prior written approval and may be subject to additional due diligence, monitoring, reserve requirements or contractual terms.

Where a business falls within a Card Scheme's high brand risk or card-not-present high-risk categories, it will also be subject to the registration and processing restrictions described in Section 13 (Turnover Thresholds, Deferred Delivery and High-Risk Merchants) of the Merchant Agreement.

Examples include:

• charities;
• crowdfunding platforms;
• cryptocurrency businesses;
• digital asset platforms;
• marketplaces;
• travel services;
• ticketing platforms;
• subscription businesses;
• businesses using negative option or free trial billing models;
• timeshare or vacation club sales;
• debt settlement, debt consolidation or credit repair services;
• multi-level marketing or network marketing businesses;
• cannabis, hemp or CBD products, where lawfully licensed;
• high-value goods;
• gaming services;
• educational institutions;
• financial services;
• insurance businesses;
• healthcare providers;
• pharmacies;
• non-profit organisations;
• donation platforms;
• debt collection services;
• investment platforms;
• foreign exchange services;
• money services businesses and remittance providers;
• digital wallets;
• payment facilitators;
• software platforms facilitating payments for third parties; and
• any business that Kwik determines presents an elevated risk.

Approval of a Merchant does not guarantee continued approval if the Merchant's risk profile changes.

Where a Restricted Business requires a licence, permit, or regulatory approval to lawfully operate in the Republic of South Africa (including, without limitation, cannabis, hemp or CBD products, gambling, financial services, healthcare and pharmacy businesses), the Merchant must hold and maintain that licence, permit, or approval at all times and provide evidence of it to Kwik on request. Kwik may suspend or terminate the Services immediately if such licence, permit, or approval lapses, is suspended, or is revoked.

6. Prohibited Businesses

Unless expressly approved in writing by Kwik, the Services may not be used for businesses involving:

Illegal Activities

• illegal goods;
• illegal services;
• stolen property;
• counterfeit products;
• forged documentation;
• intellectual property infringement;
• human trafficking;
• wildlife trafficking;
• organised crime;
• terrorism; or
• any activity prohibited by Applicable Law.

Financial Crime

• money laundering;
• sanctions evasion;
• shell bank activities;
• anonymous money transmission;
• mule accounts;
• fraudulent investment schemes;
• pyramid schemes;
• Ponzi schemes;
• advance fee fraud;
• business email compromise;
• synthetic identity fraud; or
• similar financial crime.

Weapons

• prohibited firearms;
• illegal weapons;
• explosives;
• ammunition where prohibited by law; or
• military equipment sold without appropriate licences.

Drugs

• illegal narcotics;
• controlled substances sold unlawfully;
• synthetic drugs;
• drug paraphernalia primarily intended for unlawful drug use;
• cannabis, hemp or CBD products sold without the licences, permits or registrations required under Applicable Law, including the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992.

Adult Content

• unlawful pornography;
• child exploitation material;
• escort services where unlawful;
• human exploitation;
• sexual services prohibited by Applicable Law.

Gambling

The Services may not be used for any form of interactive or online gambling, betting, lottery, sweepstake, or game of chance involving real money or money's worth, unless:

• the Merchant holds a valid, current licence issued by the National Gambling Board, a Provincial Licensing Authority, or other competent authority under the National Gambling Act 7 of 2004 (or equivalent successor legislation) authorising the specific activity offered; and
• the Merchant has been expressly approved in writing by Kwik to offer that activity.

For the avoidance of doubt, online or interactive casino-style gambling that is not licensed under Applicable Law in the Republic of South Africa remains prohibited regardless of any approval given by Kwik, and Kwik's approval does not constitute confirmation that a Merchant's activities are lawful.

Deceptive Business Practices

• misleading advertising;
• false claims;
• counterfeit software;
• fake reviews;
• fake charities;
• impersonation services;
• fraudulent lead generation;
• fake technical support; or
• other deceptive commercial practices.

7. Payment Network Restrictions

Certain payment methods may impose additional restrictions.

The Merchant agrees to comply with all rules imposed by:

• Visa;
• Mastercard;
• acquiring banks;
• sponsoring banks;
• payment partners;
• alternative payment methods; and
• other applicable payment networks.

Where such rules are more restrictive than this Policy, the stricter rule shall apply.

8. Transaction Monitoring

Kwik may monitor Merchant activity to identify:

• unusual transaction patterns;
• excessive refunds;
• excessive Chargebacks;
• suspicious activity;
• fraud indicators;
• sanctions risks;
• money laundering indicators;
• operational risk;
• security incidents; and
• other risks affecting the Services.

Monitoring may be automated or performed manually.

9. Investigations

Where Kwik reasonably suspects a breach of this Policy, Kwik may:

• request additional information;
• request supporting documentation;
• delay settlements;
• suspend payment methods;
• suspend payouts;
• hold reserve funds;
• restrict transaction limits;
• suspend the Merchant Account;
• terminate the Merchant Agreement;
• report activity to financial institutions;
• report activity to regulators;
• report activity to law enforcement; or
• take any other action reasonably necessary to protect the Services.

10. Merchant Cooperation

The Merchant shall cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by Kwik.

This includes providing:

• invoices;
• contracts;
• proof of fulfilment;
• customer communications;
• business records;
• licences;
• regulatory approvals;
• ownership information;
• financial information; and
• any other information reasonably requested.

Failure to cooperate may result in suspension or termination of the Services.

11. Changes to Business Activities

The Merchant shall notify Kwik before making any material change to:

• products;
• services;
• ownership;
• jurisdictions;
• target markets;
• transaction profile;
• business model; or
• regulated activities.

Kwik may require additional due diligence before permitting continued use of the Services.

Where a change in the Merchant's products, services, or business model results in the Merchant's business falling within a Restricted or Prohibited Business category under this Policy, Kwik may immediately suspend the affected payment methods pending review.

12. Enforcement

Kwik may determine, acting reasonably and in good faith, whether a Merchant's activities are consistent with this Policy.

Nothing in this Policy obliges Kwik to provide Services to any Merchant or industry.

Kwik reserves the right to refuse, suspend or terminate Services where it reasonably believes continued processing would expose Kwik, its banking partners, payment partners or Customers to unacceptable legal, financial, operational or reputational risk.

13. Policy Updates

Kwik may amend this Policy from time to time.

The latest version will always be published at:

/legal/acceptable-use

Continued use of the Services after the effective date of an updated version constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy where permitted by Applicable Law.

14. Contact

Questions relating to this Policy may be directed to:

Compliance Team

Email: compliance@kwik.co.za