Airtel Money has entered into a partnership with Moja Expressway Company, the Chinese firm managing the 27.1-kilometer Nairobi Expressway, to enable motorists to pay toll fees using the mobile money platform.
With over 70,000 vehicles using the expressway daily, this collaboration aims to provide drivers with a seamless, cashless option for toll payments, enhancing convenience and reducing reliance on traditional payment methods such as cash, MTC cards, or the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) service.
“We remain committed to providing our customers with a seamless and convenient experience, and this partnership will help us achieve that goal,” said Anne Kinuthia-Otieno, Managing Director of Airtel Money.
The partnership marks a strategic move by Airtel to strengthen its position in Kenya’s competitive mobile money market. While Airtel remains the second-largest telecom provider in the country, it continues to trail behind its main competitor, Safaricom’s M-Pesa, in market share.
However, recent data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) shows promising growth for Airtel Money, with its market share rising from 5.1% to 6.6% as of October 2024.
The collaboration with Moja Expressway is part of a broader strategy to expand Airtel’s reach and drive customer adoption of its services. Just a week prior, Airtel inked a deal with Naivas, Kenya’s largest retailer, allowing customers to deposit and withdraw cash at all 109 Naivas outlets nationwide.
The partnership with Moja Expressway underscores the growing shift towards cashless payment solutions in Kenya’s transport sector. By integrating mobile money into essential infrastructure like toll roads, Airtel aims to position itself as a key player in the country’s digital financial ecosystem.
As cashless transactions continue to gain traction, collaborations like these could redefine how Kenyans interact with financial services and transport infrastructure, paving the way for a more connected and convenient future.