KCB Bank Kenya and Airtel Money have announced a new interoperability partnership, allowing Airtel Money customers to make direct payments to KCB merchants’ tills via the Lipa Na KCB service.
The two say this collaboration marks a key milestone in achieving secure, fast, efficient, and collaborative payments systems that support financial inclusion and innovations.
It is also geared towards the implementation of full interoperability in the payments industry as envisioned by the country’s National Payments Strategy 2022 – 2025.
KCB MD Annastacia Kimtai noted that the move is part of the Bank’s promise anchored on creating an efficient payments ecosystem that will be instrumental in accelerating financial inclusion.
This is through a new model centred on low-value, high-volume transactions.
“Reaching critical mass will require mobile money ecosystems to become more dynamic and productive and such a move will enable us to scale our offering while giving customers the freedom to empower themselves,” Kimtai said.
On her part, Airtel Money MD Anne Kinuthia Otieno attributed the partnership to the evolution of mobile money interoperability, which now provides customers with limitless choices for conducting their mobile transfers and payment transactions.
“We are thrilled about our partnership with KCB, which allows our customers to seamlessly transact through their Airtel Money wallets,” she said.
This collaboration, she added, underscores Airtel Money’s ongoing commitment to improving customer experience and promoting financial inclusion through innovative partnerships.
“With the integration of Lipa na KCB into Airtel Money’s ecosystem, customers now have greater flexibility and convenience in paying for goods and services.”
KCB’s non-branch solutions have continued to prove pivotal in delivering outstanding performance for the bank.
For the period ended December 31,2023, the bank recorded 99% of transactions conducted through non-branch channels.
Additionally, the bank recorded a 31% year-on-year increase in the value of transactions through digital channels to Sh 6.4 trillion.
To access this new payment option, registered Airtel Money customers need to follow these simple steps:
USSD Journey:
- Dial *334#
- Select Paybill and Till Payment
- Select paybill
- Select Airtel paybill (including bank paybills)
- Enter paybill number
- Enter Paybill number: 522533
- Enter Account Number as displayed at the merchant’s outlet
- Enter Amount
- Enter PIN to confirm the transaction
App Journey:
- Launch the My Airtel App – https://bit.ly/keAPP
- Select Paybill
- Choose Airtel Paybill
- Enter Paybill number: 522533
- Enter Account Number as displayed at the merchant’s outlet
- Enter Amount
- Enter PIN to confirm the transaction
Airtel Money customers making payments to KCB paybills are expected to enjoy lower transaction charges as compared to current market rates.
These affordable rates are in line with Airtel Money’s promise of providing the most affordable mobile money transaction rates in Kenya.
Airtel Money has affirmed that it will continue to leverage the company’s ongoing network expansion efforts across the country through strategic partnerships that bring mobile money services closer to the customer and enhance convenience.
KCB and Airtel Money Kenya are confident that through interoperability, customers will access seamless payment solutions without the hassle of transferring money to other networks.
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