Safaricom launches online payment service
Safaricom has launched an online payment service to be known as Lipa na M-Pesa Online.
The service comes amid a boom in e-commerce with the emergence of online shopping sites such as OLX, Rupu, Zetu, Bid or Buy, Jumia, Cheki and N-soko (http://property.n-soko.com/)
Customers will be able to purchase items online and pay at the checkout point.
The total cost for the items purchased online is deducted from the customer’s M-Pesa account.
Once customers key in their mobile number on the site, they will receive a notification on their mobile phone to validate the transaction using their Bonga PIN.
“The ability to conduct financial transaction using a mobile phone is now a vital part of life for millions of Kenyans. The entry of M-Pesa into the online space is a game changer that is bound to transform the conduct and uptake of online trade in Kenya,” said Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore.
The new service will leverage the deep penetration of the mobile phone and the accessible internet services to ease the shopping experience for customers.
“Lipa na M-Pesa Online is part of M-PESA’s overall agenda to lead the evolution of the payments landscape in Kenya.
“The entry of M-pesa into the online space is a landmark move that will see more than 18 million M-PESA customers gain access to the online shopping experience either as entrepreneurs or as customers,” said Mr Collymore.