Tyme Group Recognized as One of TIME Magazine's Top 100 Impactful Companies in 2025
Cape Town-based Tyme Group, a digital banking powerhouse founded in 2019, has made a significant impact in the financial sector and been named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies for 2025. This prestigious recognition underscores Tyme's mission to build a banking platform that empowers people to realise their ambitions.
Tyme Group's flagship digital bank, TymeBank, operates with a fully digital, branchless model, allowing customers to open accounts in minutes using just an ID and fingerprint at kiosks in supermarkets such as Pick n Pay and Boxer. This innovative approach has eliminated paperwork, reduced overhead costs, and offered lower user fees, better interest rates, and faster access to credit.
By 2024, TymeBank had attracted over seven million customers in South Africa, making it one of the fastest-growing banks in the country's history. This rapid growth is a testament to Tyme's lean, cloud-based infrastructure and digital-first strategies, which distinguish it from traditional banks that continue to retrofit older systems.
Tyme Group's influence extends beyond South Africa, with operations on two continents and plans for further expansion. The company has also established itself in markets like the Philippines. Its scalability underpins its rise as a fintech powerhouse, reflecting its transformative influence and rapid ascent.
Tyme's focus is on simplicity, transparency, and affordability, aiming to make banking accessible to all South Africans. This commitment to financial inclusion is profound, as TymeBank has democratised access to banking services for millions previously excluded from formal banking.
The company's leadership actively advocates for policies that support digital financial inclusion, as evidenced by the co-founder's public opposition to government hikes in identity verification fees that could hinder accessibility.
Tyme's inclusion in the TIME list reinforces its mission to serve entire populations, not just the privileged few, through inclusive, accessible digital banking. The company is backed by a global network of investors, including African Rainbow Capital (ARC), Tencent, British International Investment, Apis, and M&G Catalyst.
Reflecting its transformative influence, Tyme Group was named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies for 2025. This recognition highlights Tyme’s role in innovating African banking, disrupting entrenched systems, and providing scalable, inclusive financial solutions. The company’s achievement of profitability and a customer base exceeding 11 million further underscores its sustainable business model and market impact.
In summary, Tyme Group represents a new wave of digital banking in Africa with a growth story characterised by rapid customer acquisition, technological innovation, and a strong commitment to financial inclusion. Its influence extends beyond South Africa, setting a precedent for digital banking models globally and earning it prestigious acknowledgement on the world stage.
- The digital banking platform developed by Tyme Group, TymeBank, employs an innovative, branchless model that utilizes AI and cloud-based infrastructure for faster account opening, lower fees, and better interest rates.
- By leveraging technology in the financial sector, Tyme Group has successfully appealed to startups and digital-focused businesses in the fintech market, attracting global investors like African Rainbow Capital, Tencent, British International Investment, Apis, and M&G Catalyst.
- The company's influence extends globally, with operations on two continents and plans for further expansion, positioning Tyme Group as a transformative force in the digital banking market.
- Tyme Group's achievements in the financial sector, including profitability and a customer base exceeding 11 million, demonstrate its sustainable business model and significant market impact, contributing to a revolution in African banking and disrupting traditional systems.
