Airtel Money Google Play Integration: Zero-Fee App Payments Now Live!

Airtel Money Google Play integration is now available and will allow Airtel Money customers in Kenya to conveniently, safely, and securely pay for applications on the Google Play store from Airtel Money wallets directly.

Airtel Money becomes the first-ever mobile wallet integrated with Google Play in Kenya. Users can now enjoy a seamless, secure, and cost-effective payment experience when purchasing apps, games, and subscriptions. Payments via Airtel Money on Google Play are even more attractive because these transactions cost users nothing; all other payment methods are costlier.

Why the Airtel Money Google Play Integration Matters

The Airtel Money integration with Google Play will transform digital payments in Kenya. Here are the reasons why:

• The only mobile wallet available for transactions on Google Play: Airtel Money is the only mobile money service available in Kenya that integrates with Google Play.
• Zero transaction fees: Unlike other payment methods, users making purchases on Google Play using Airtel Money will not pay any sort of additional fee.
• Payments processed in a secure manner in the Airtel Money platform: All transactions using Airtel Money are done safely and seamlessly.
• Maximum convenience: No bank cards, no third-party services to buy apps, music, movies, and subscriptions on Google Play.

Airtel and Google Executives Speak on the Integration

“We are very excited today to launch the Airtel Money Google Play integration, giving our customers access and convenience to their preferred applications on the Google platform. This collaboration affirms Airtel Money’s brand promise as a trusted, reliable, and innovative payment platform that is always evolving to meet customer needs. It also underscores Airtel Money’s growing presence in the digital payments landscape, offering more versatile services at an international scale,” said Mrs. Anne Kinuthia-Otieno, Managing Director of Airtel Money.

“We are pleased to introduce Airtel Mobile Money to users making purchases on the Google Play Store in Kenya. This integration highlights Google’s commitment to providing accessible, localized solutions that enhance the digital experience,” said Kevin McDaid, EMEA Payment Partnerships at Google.

Airtel Money Expands Digital Finance Amid Interoperability Push

The Airtel Money Google Play integration is one of the moves by Airtel, within a range of initiatives rolling out digital financial services in an environment created by recent policy changes at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

In 2024, CBK increased the daily mobile money transaction upper limit from KES 300,000 ($2,322) to KES 500,000 ($3,870), drawing high-value customers and businesses to Airtel Money. Besides, customers do not have to withdraw the money as Airtel Money now allows you to keep funds received from other wallets for longer than a week.

However, the full interoperability of all mobile money services has remained unfulfilled by CBK, and agent interoperability is still a dream, allowing M-PESA to completely monopolize mobile money services. Currently, Airtel Money users can transfer funds across networks; however, they cannot withdraw cash from any agent location, unlike M-PESA users.

As of September 2024, the number of mobile money agents increased to 365,000 from 347,700; among the increases was through Airtel Money raising its access points by partnering with the supermarket firm Naivas.

Airtel Money’s Market Share Is Growing as M-PESA Declines

With this integration, Airtel Kenya is aggressively pursuing further growth. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), its increased market share from 2.9% to 7.6% over the year to September 2024 is testament to this.

During the same period, M-PESA’s market share fell from 97.0% to 92.3% after falling from its all-time max of 98% dominance.

According to the latest sector statistics from the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA), the mobile money service market share grew from 7.6% to 8.9% in Q4 2024 compared to Q3.

The growth of Airtel Money has been enhanced by:

• Free Airtel-to-Airtel transfer
• Lower fees to send money across the network, as compared to M-PESA
• Lower withdrawal fees than M-PESA
• Strategic alliances, like the Airtel Money-Naivas partnership, to give traction to agent network growth

In a market of over 40 million mobile money consumers in Kenya, affordability has remained a key factor behind consumer choice. The Airtel Money Google Play integration strengthens Airtel’s card with a competitively priced payment solution for digital services.

How to Use Airtel Money on Google Play

If you’re an Airtel Money user in Kenya, this is how you set it up and make the Airtel Money integration with Google Play work:

• Open the Google Play Store and tap your profile.
• Select Payments & subscriptions and tap Payment Methods.
• Select Airtel Money.
• Confirm and complete your purchase with zero transaction fees.

Airtel Money Google Play integration is a great step towards boosting digital financial inclusion, given mobile payments at the rise in Kenya. Now, mobile wallet standards are going to be set very highly when it comes to app and subscription payments becoming easy, safer, and cheaper for the Kenyan user.

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