Payment Delays and Extra Charges Hurting Pakistan’s Digital Trade Growth
Pakistan’s e-commerce sector is losing an estimated $1.61 billion annually due to payment inefficiencies during the checkout process, according to a report by Payoneer. The report states that these losses are part of a wider $72 billion gap across Asia caused by transaction failures, payment friction, settlement delays, and additional foreign exchange costs that reduce sales conversions and business revenues.
Faster Checkout Systems Could Recover Billions for Pakistan’s E-Commerce Industry
Cart abandonment was identified as the biggest factor, contributing nearly $0.97 billion in losses, followed by settlement delays and payment-related charges. The report added that consumers increasingly demand localized payment methods and transparent pricing, while slow and complex payment systems continue to hurt merchant cash flow and conversion rates. Analysts say improving checkout systems and speeding up settlements could significantly boost Pakistan’s cross-border digital trade growth.
