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KCB Bank and Airtel Money have announced an interoperability partnership where Airtel Money customers can now make payments directly to KCB merchants’ tills through the Lipa Na KCB service.
This marks a key milestone in achieving secure, fast, efficient, and collaborative payment systems that support financial inclusion and innovations.
It is also geared towards implementing full interoperability in the payments industry as envisioned by the country’s National Payments Strategy 2022 – 2025.
KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director, 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 through a new model centered 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.
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Airtel Money Managing Director 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. This collaboration 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.” she said.
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 Sh6.4 Trillion.
To access this new payment option, registered Airtel Money customers need to follow these simple steps:
USSD Journey:
1. Dial *334#
2. Select “Paybill and Till Payment”
3. Select paybill
4. Select Airtel paybill (including bank paybills)
5. Enter paybill number
6. Enter Paybill number: 522533
7. Enter Account Number as displayed at the merchant’s outlet
8. Enter Amount
9. Enter PIN to confirm the transaction
App Journey:
1. Launch the My Airtel App – https://bit.ly/keAPP
2. Select “Paybill”
3. Choose “Airtel Paybill”
4. Enter Paybill number: 522533
5. Enter Account Number as displayed at the merchant’s outlet
6. Enter Amount
7. Enter PIN to confirm the transaction
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.