You can now make payments to Lipa na MPESA from any network in Kenya
By Joshua Cheloti
Kenya’s mobile network operators Telkom, Safaricom, and Airtel on Friday, April 8, 2022, announced the interoperability of their mobile money service platforms.
This now allows Kenyans to make mobile money payments to a Lipa Na M-PESA Buy Goods Till, from any of the three networks.
The service will exclusively be applicable to Lipa Na M-PESA Buy Goods and excludes pay bills.
This is the first phase towards complete Merchant Interoperability, whose objective is to enable customers from the three mobile money service platforms - T-kash, M-PESA, and Airtel Money make direct mobile money payments to any merchant till number, across all networks, boosting the adoption and convenience of making cashless payments.
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File image of Safaricom M-Pesa agent shops. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
This proposition is also in line with the principles of the National Payments Strategy, 2022 – 2025, which was launched by the Central Bank of Kenya in February this year.
Speaking during the unveiling of the interoperability of mobile money service platforms, Telkom Kenya Chief Executive Officer Mugo Kibati said the new service brings the country closer to a cashless economy.
Kibati further noted that Kenya remains a global leader in the adoption of mobile money, with transactions in the billions of shillings reflecting the evolving customer demand for secure transactions.
He noted that Telkom’s T-kash is the culmination of extensive research on evolving customer demands, such as the need for security, simplicity, availability, and a diversified service offering.
“In addition to enriching our financial service offering, the introduction of merchant interoperability brings us closer to realizing a cashless economy, further enhancing a seamless digital transactions ecosystem that gives the consumer more choice,” Kibati said.
On his part, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said, “Safaricom is delighted to partner with other industry players on this exciting innovation to empower mobile money customers in the country to make payments through Lipa Na M-PESA.
This partnership builds on the successful rollout of mobile money interoperability making it possible for customers to send and receive money from any network in the country.”
Airtel Kenya CEO, Prasanta Das Sarma noted that the move will enable customers to make payments to mobile money merchants, irrespective of their mobile money provider.
“Our customers will also experience a dynamic, secure, convenient, and more affordable digital payment ecosystem for personal and business payments,” Sarma said.
File image of Safaricom M-Pesa agent shops. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
This proposition is also in line with the principles of the National Payments Strategy, 2022 – 2025, which was launched by the Central Bank of Kenya in February this year.
Speaking during the unveiling of the interoperability of mobile money service platforms, Telkom Kenya Chief Executive Officer Mugo Kibati said the new service brings the country closer to a cashless economy.
Kibati further noted that Kenya remains a global leader in the adoption of mobile money, with transactions in the billions of shillings reflecting the evolving customer demand for secure transactions.
He noted that Telkom’s T-kash is the culmination of extensive research on evolving customer demands, such as the need for security, simplicity, availability, and a diversified service offering.
“In addition to enriching our financial service offering, the introduction of merchant interoperability brings us closer to realizing a cashless economy, further enhancing a seamless digital transactions ecosystem that gives the consumer more choice,” Kibati said.
On his part, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said, “Safaricom is delighted to partner with other industry players on this exciting innovation to empower mobile money customers in the country to make payments through Lipa Na M-PESA.
This partnership builds on the successful rollout of mobile money interoperability making it possible for customers to send and receive money from any network in the country.”
Airtel Kenya CEO, Prasanta Das Sarma noted that the move will enable customers to make payments to mobile money merchants, irrespective of their mobile money provider.
“Our customers will also experience a dynamic, secure, convenient, and more affordable digital payment ecosystem for personal and business payments,” Sarma said. What's Your Reaction?
