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Kenya’s leading mobile network operator, Safaricom, has been awarded the Payment Facilitator Certificate by Visa, marking a significant step in enhancing its merchant ecosystem. This certification will allow Safaricom to broaden its payment acceptance options, including the integration of card payments from all major card networks through Visa’s CyberSource Payment Gateway.

The certification enables Safaricom to expand its range of payment acceptance models, including card payments from all major networks, through Visa’s advanced CyberSource Payment Gateway. This development provides merchants with greater flexibility, allowing them to process not just mobile payments but also card-based transactions, offering a more seamless experience for their customers.

This achievement is part of an ongoing multi-year partnership between Safaricom and Visa, which began with the launch of the M-PESA GlobalPay Visa Virtual Card in June 2022. The virtual card, accessible via the M-PESA app or by dialing *344#, allows Safaricom customers to make cashless payments across Visa’s global merchant network, while enabling users to monitor their M-PESA balance.

In December 2023, Safaricom expanded its offerings with Visa by introducing tap-to-pay services, allowing customers to make mobile, online, and in-person card payments, further enhancing its service portfolio.

“We are thrilled to present the Payment Facilitator certificate to Safaricom and take our partnership to the next level,” said Chad Pollock, General Manager and Vice President, Visa East Africa. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge payment solutions that drive growth and efficiency for merchants. While in 2022 we opened the M-PESA consumers to the world with the GlobalPay Visa Virtual Card, we are now giving over 600,000 merchants access to the world of consumers”

Esther Waititu, Chief Financial Services Officer, Safaricom added, “Our partnership with Visa has been instrumental in enhancing our payment capabilities. The introduction of card payments through Visa’s CyberSource gateway is a testament to our shared vision of empowering merchants with diverse and secure payment options. 

At Safaricom, we continuously develop holistic solutions to our clients and this milestone will enhance our value proposition to merchants across online and face to face payments.”

The Payment Facilitator Certificate granted by Visa is set to propel Safaricom’s merchant services to new heights. Merchants will now have the ability to accept both online and in-person card payments, adding more payment options for their customers. This broader service offering aims to make transactions more convenient and secure, supported by Visa’s globally trusted CyberSource platform, which ensures reliable payment processing and enhanced security measures.

The collaboration between Safaricom and Visa continues to transform the payment landscape in Kenya, offering more choice and security to both merchants and consumers. With over 600,000 merchants already benefiting from the M-PESA platform, the addition of Visa’s card payment infrastructure is expected to cement Safaricom’s role as a key player in Kenya’s financial ecosystem.