You can now buy apps on Play Store using Mpesa
Android users in Kenya can now use M-Pesa to buy premium mobile applications available on the Google’s Play Store.
This has been made possible through a partnership between Safaricom and DOCOMO Digital’s, a Global mobile commerce enabler.
The integration, which uses Google Play’s payment API, allows more than 27 million M-PESA customers in Kenya to use the mobile money service to pay for goods and services from the app store.
“M-PESA has long been an innovator and leader in the mobile money space, and we are very excited to partner with them to bring this service to market” said Hiroyuki Sato, CEO of DOCOMO Digital.
CREDIT CARD
Previously, the only option users had if they wanted to purchase Apps from play store was through a credit or debit card.
The M-PESA and Google Play Store service will ensure that users are able to buy apps and games in Play Store using their mobile money wallet, making the whole experience easy and convenient.
Joseph Ogutu, Director of Strategy, Safaricom, said: “Partnerships have been instrumental in deepening the convenience and value of M-PESA to our customers. Today’s partnership will empower our customers to access Google Play content and further underlines our commitment to providing more choice and convenience to them.”
Local techies have hailed the move with George Njoroge of East African Data Handlers calling it a “first in the world”.
TECH GIANT Google enables M-Pesa Express payments on the Google Play Store allowing Kenyan Android users to pay for apps via mobile money instead of cards; move probably a first in the world.
— George Njoroge (@georgenjoroge_) February 22, 2018