Safaricom, Uber partner to introduce M-Pesa payments

Uber and Safaricom have partnered to ease payment of trips by riders across Kenya through M-Pesa.

This follows an earlier deal between the wireless carrier and UberEats allowing consumers to pay for deliveries through Mpesa while riders also receive their earnings through the same platform.

The new partnership further seeks to enable drivers who lack bank accounts to receive weekly payments with ease.

According to data by Uber, 20 percent of its drivers lack bank accounts and therefore are not able to fully leverage digital trips.

Speaking at the event, Uber head of East Africa Imran Manji said that with the widespread footprint of Mpesa in the region, passengers and drivers can now enjoy services seamlessly through the app. He added that drivers can choose to receive payments directly to their M-Pesa instead of internet bank accounts.

Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer Cynthia Karuri Kropac said that previously it took several days before payment was sent out to drivers.

By integrating M-Pesa to the transportation service, she said, weekly payments to drivers are readily available once disbursed.