We have been waiting for this implementation for a while and it is finally here. From today, Telkom T-Kash and Airtel Money users can make payments to any M-Pesa paybill number without any restrictions. This is good news for the end users and even some of the merchants.
The objective of the interoperability of Kenya’s mobile money service platforms is to allow Kenyans to make direct mobile money payments to any M-PESA merchant Pay Bill Number and Merchant Tills, from any network.
With this system, Airtel and Telkom subscribers in Kenya will have no issues paying their bills through Safaricom pay bill numbers.
Safaricom’s CEO, Peter Ndegwa said, “Today’s launch of Pay Bill interoperability between M-PESA, Airtel Money and T-Kash, follows that of ‘Send Money’ and Till interoperability. This innovation extends even more convenience to customers and businesses, transforming M-PESA into a one-stop solution to send and receive money and payments from any financial service locally, and our global partners.”
The next phase towards complete merchant interoperability will see Kenyans make mobile money payments from M-PESA to the Till and Pay Bill Numbers of the other networks: Airtel Money and T-kash.
This proposition is also in line with the principles of the National Payments Strategy, 2022 – 2025, that was launched by the Central Bank of Kenya in February this year which seeks to achieve a secure, fast, efficient and collaborative payments system that supports financial inclusion and innovations that benefit Kenyans:
Through M-Pesa pay bill, Safaricom subscribers can pay for goods and services. This service supports both single and bulk transactions and has been the payment option of choice for most people. It is particularly good when it comes to settling recurring bills.
Telkom Kenya’s CEO, Mugo Kibati said, “From our interactive sessions with our customers we have taken note that Kenyans appreciate mobile money solutions better when they keep on finding more reasons to attach value to their mobile wallets, whether they are sending money, paying for goods and services, saving, borrowing or trading. The announcement made today, on Pay Bill interoperability, brings us closer to realising a cashless economy, further enhancing a seamless digital transactions ecosystem that gives the consumer more convenience and choice. Our customers will first be able to access this exciting addition via USSD *160#.”
Airtel Kenya’s CEO, Ashish Malhotra, on the other hand said, “We are excited to be part of this change that seeks to provide Kenyans with an affordable, convenient and secure cashless payments platform that will provide more options that empower customers as they go about their day-to-day economic activity. Our customers can access this service via USSD *222# or *334#.”
Read: What you need to know about the M-Pesa VISA Virtual card
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