Online payment system PayPal is being seen as a boost to small businesses that want to operate internationally.

South Africa could become one of the more than 190 countries that use "PayPal", if First National Bank launches the service in April.

The service allows more secure online trade and enables users to shop on the internet without revealing their credit card details.

Worldwide Worx’s Steven Ambrose said there are challenges.

“It’s a challenging environment currently in South Africa because of our low internet penetration. We’re not going to see much benefit from a PayPal-type set-up. But the big benefit is actually external, all the people who want to sell goods internationally,” he said.