Safaricom partners with tappi to digitize Kenyan MSMEs

Kenyan digital commerce startup tappi has partnered with  Safaricom’s M-PESA to digitize 650,000 business users across Kenya. 

According to a statement from the two, the collaboration will provide innovative digital solutions to bolster the online credibility and visibility of these SMEs, signalling the latest phase of tappi’s rapid expansion journey over the last 12 months.

Launched on the M-PESA For Business Super App, the partnership marks M-PESA’s drive to expand its suite of services for the 650,000 users registered for its business till number, and over 50 million monthly active users across several African countries. With tappi becoming one of the first mini apps to feature on M-PESA For Business, the startup will deliver a subsidised package equipping M-PESA’s merchants to build their online presence, capture verified reviews and strengthen engagement with an expanded customer base. 

For approximately $11, merchants will receive access to a free webpage, 50 SMS/WhatsApp reviews, which will be integrated into the merchant’s websites, as well as 250 Bulk SMS Marketing Credits. 

As part of the collaboration, M-PESA Ratiba, a new automated solution allowing M-PESA users to automate their online payments, has also been included in the tappi mini app, enabling business owners to seamlessly pay their monthly subscriptions without disruptions. 

“This partnership is a significant milestone for tappi and a huge endorsement of the value Safaricom and tappi look to generate for MSMEs across Kenya. With over 35mn subscribers, M-PESA has long established itself as the engine through which millions of local entrepreneurs handle their transactions, and with many of these businesses constantly looking for new customers, our tools will be a crucial springboard in driving them to achieve this within an online setting.” Kenfield Griffith, CEO and Co-Founder of tappi, said. 

Targeted to reach at least 300,000 M-PESA for Business App users, the partnership has officially launched with an initial cohort of over 250 M-PESA For Business app users across the food, fashion, health and beauty sectors throughout Kenya. tappi’s solutions will build on the M-PESA For Business app’s existing functionalities which include viewing collections, statements and payments as well as transacting directly from the M-PESA till number. 

“We are happy to onboard tappi as our first mini-app partner on the M-PESA Business app. This partnership seeks to empower our merchants with affordable and innovative tools and capabilities to grow their businesses. We look forward to driving financial inclusion through building the capacities of small and medium sized businesses, enhancing customer experience thus contributing to the Kenyan economy,” said Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom’s CEO.

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