M-pesa is a well known and widely used payment option all across the country. With this, you always expect companies setting up in Kenya to embrace it from the start. This has been the case for most but Uber hasn’t really had the option until now.
Ever since Uber set up shop in Kenya, the company has had a number of payment options including Cash, credit.debit card, PayPal etc. If you wanted to pay with M-Pesa, you had to choose cash as a payment option and then use M-Pesa once the trip ends. Even though this worked, it added a few extra steps that made the whole process less efficient.
Uber is changing that as the company has announced that M-Pesa will be added as a native payment option on the app.
How to Add M,-Pesa as a Payment Option on the Uber App
Adding M-Pesa as your payment option is quick and easy, just follow these steps:
- Open the Uber App
- Tap on the ‘Account’ option on the bottom right corner.
- On your Account, tap on ‘Wallet’
- You will see the payment options you have already added, tap on ‘Add payment method’.
- M-Pesa will be listed as an option, just tap on it and you are good to go.
Since you have used your phone number to register for an Uber account, this will be the one that will be used for M-pesa payments. I am yet to use the service but I assume when the ride ends, you will get the M-Pesa push prompt to enter your M-Pesa PIN.
According to Uber, ove 20% of drivers on its platform do not have bank accounts and this move is perfect for them. “Through the integration of M-PESA for trip payments, we are excited to bring the ease and convenience of mobile money to riders on our platform,” said Imran Manji, Head of East Africa, Uber. “We are pleased to have found a partner in Safaricom in order to take this significant step towards enhancing financial inclusion in the country.”
“This partnership with Uber will enable us to provide thousands of drivers and delivery people alongside millions of customers with a fully digital solution with faster, secure, affordable, and convenient payments through M-PESA. We maintain a strong commitment to working with partners such as Uber as they enable us to deliver more value and opportunities to our customers in line with our purpose to transform lives,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO – Safaricom.
Also Read: What You Need to Know About Faraja, The Buy Now Pay Later Service for Lipa Na M-Pesa