In a landmark move set to reshape Kenya’s payment landscape, Visa, the global digital payments giant, has awarded Safaricom Plc a Payment Facilitator Certificate. This certification marks a new phase in the partnership between the two companies and paves the way for Safaricom to expand its merchant payment options. The initiative will now allow over 600,000 Safaricom merchants to accept card payments through Visa’s advanced CyberSource Payment Gateway, diversifying their payment methods and driving secure, efficient transactions.
Building on the success of the M-PESA GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card launched in 2022, this partnership seeks to strengthen the role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Kenyan economy. By enabling merchants to accept payments from all card networks, Visa and Safaricom are ensuring that even the smallest businesses can tap into the growing digital economy, providing them with secure and reliable payment solutions.
The introduction of card payments marks a significant step forward for Safaricom’s merchants. With Visa’s CyberSource Gateway, they will now offer their customers multiple payment options, increasing convenience and enhancing the overall customer experience. As the digital economy continues to grow, these diversified payment solutions will help merchants better serve their clientele, both online and in-person.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
- Expanded Payment Options: Safaricom merchants can now accept card payments across all major card networks via Visa’s secure CyberSource Gateway.
- Empowering MSMEs: With access to new payment modes, MSMEs—key contributors to Kenya’s GDP—are equipped with tools to thrive in the digital marketplace.
- Security & Reliability: Visa’s world-class Decision Manager ensures that all transactions are processed securely, reducing the risk of fraud and enhancing trust between merchants and consumers.
- Evolving Collaboration: Building on the success of previous launches, this partnership is part of a long-term strategy to bring more innovative payment solutions to the Kenyan market.
Speaking on the significance of this development, Chad Pollock, General Manager and Vice President of Visa East Africa, expressed excitement about the future:
“We are thrilled to present the Payment Facilitator Certificate to Safaricom and take our partnership to the next level. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge payment solutions that drive growth and efficiency for merchants. While in 2022 we opened M-PESA consumers to the world with the GlobalPay Visa Virtual Card, we are now giving over 600,000 merchants access to the world of consumers.”
Esther Waititu, Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer, added:
“Our partnership with Visa has been instrumental in enhancing our payment capabilities. The introduction of card payments through Visa’s CyberSource gateway is a testament to our shared vision of empowering merchants with diverse and secure payment options. At Safaricom, we continuously develop holistic solutions for our clients, and this milestone will enhance our value proposition to merchants across both online and in-person payments.”
The move is also expected to bolster Safaricom’s competitive edge in Kenya’s increasingly digital economy, offering merchants new ways to engage with customers and generate revenue. By incorporating card payments, Safaricom is set to solidify its standing as a one-stop-shop for all payment solutions in Kenya, furthering its mission to connect businesses to the digital world.
As Kenya’s digital payments market continues to expand, partnerships like the one between Safaricom and Visa are crucial in driving inclusion and providing merchants, especially MSMEs, with the tools they need to thrive. The government has also been advocating for digitization in business operations, and this collaboration will undoubtedly support those efforts.
Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating secure transactions between consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and government entities in over 200 countries. With a mission to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, and reliable payment networks, Visa is committed to helping businesses and economies thrive.
