Airtel Money Users Can Now Pay Directly at KCB Merchants with Lipa Na KCB

KCB Bank Kenya and Airtel Money have entered into a new interoperability partnership that allows Airtel Money customers to make direct payments to KCB merchants using the Lipa Na KCB service. This move is seen as a major milestone in advancing Kenya’s payments ecosystem, promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing the convenience of digital transactions across the country.

Partnership Between KCB and Airtel Money to Improve Payments System

The interoperability agreement enables Airtel Money users to pay directly at any KCB merchant outlet without needing to transfer funds between different networks. Through this collaboration, the two institutions aim to create a more efficient and secure payments system, aligning with the objectives outlined in Kenya’s National Payments Strategy 2022-2025.

The strategy envisions full interoperability within the payments industry, making it easier for users from different networks to access services seamlessly. For consumers, this means they can now walk into any KCB merchant location and pay directly via their Airtel Money wallets, eliminating the friction of transferring money across different mobile platforms.

KCB Bank’s Commitment to Financial Inclusion

KCB Bank Kenya’s Managing Director, Annastacia Kimtai, emphasized that this partnership is in line with KCB’s commitment to creating an efficient and inclusive payments ecosystem. She highlighted that KCB’s focus is on driving financial inclusion through a model that centers on low-value, high-volume transactions. Such systems are particularly critical for reaching underserved populations and enabling them to participate in the digital economy.

“Reaching critical mass will require mobile money ecosystems to become more dynamic and productive, and this partnership will allow us to scale our offerings while empowering our customers,” Kimtai explained.

Airtel Money Focuses on Convenience and Flexibility

The Managing Director of Airtel Money Kenya, Anne Kinuthia-Otieno, expressed excitement about the partnership, describing it as a significant evolution in mobile money interoperability. According to Kinuthia-Otieno, the agreement allows Airtel Money customers more flexibility and convenience when conducting payments at KCB merchant outlets.

“This collaboration demonstrates Airtel Money’s ongoing commitment to improving customer experience and promoting financial inclusion through innovative partnerships,” she said. The move is part of Airtel Money’s broader strategy to provide seamless payment options, supporting a diverse range of financial services and transactions.

KCB’s Success in Non-Branch Transactions and Digital Growth

KCB Bank has increasingly shifted its focus toward non-branch solutions, which have been pivotal in driving the bank’s digital performance. By the end of 2023, KCB reported that 99% of all transactions were conducted through non-branch channels. Additionally, the value of these digital transactions increased by 31% year-on-year to a total of KES 6.4 trillion.

The bank’s adoption of digital channels such as mobile banking, internet banking, and the use of agents has significantly contributed to its growth. This latest collaboration with Airtel Money is expected to further accelerate the shift to digital payments, as more customers opt for convenient, cashless payment methods.

How Airtel Money Users Can Pay KCB Merchants

For Airtel Money users, making payments via KCB merchants is simple and straightforward. The process can be completed using either USSD or the MyAirtel App.

USSD Process:

1. Dial *334# on your phone.
2. Select “Paybill and Till Payment.”
3. Choose “Paybill.”
4. Select “Airtel Paybill.”
5. Enter the KCB Paybill number: 522533.
6. Enter the account number displayed at the merchant’s outlet.
7. Enter the amount you wish to pay.
8. Confirm the transaction by entering your PIN.

MyAirtel App Process:

1. Open the My Airtel App.
2. Select “Paybill.”
3. Choose “Airtel Paybill.”
4. Enter the KCB Paybill number: 522533.
5. Enter the account number as shown by the merchant.
6. Enter the payment amount.
7. Confirm with your PIN.

Supporting Network Expansion and Interoperability in Kenya

Airtel Money has been expanding its network infrastructure across Kenya, entering strategic partnerships like this one to bring mobile money services closer to customers and improve accessibility. The goal is to create a frictionless payment environment where customers do not need to worry about which network they or the merchant use.

This collaboration with KCB is part of a wider industry push toward interoperability, where users across different mobile networks and financial platforms can transact without barriers. Interoperability is considered key to unlocking the full potential of digital payments in Kenya, especially as the country continues to embrace mobile money as a mainstream financial service.

Conclusion:

The partnership between KCB Bank Kenya and Airtel Money represents a significant step forward in the digitization of Kenya’s payments ecosystem. By enabling Airtel Money users to directly pay KCB merchants through the Lipa Na KCB service, the two organizations are helping to create a more inclusive and dynamic financial landscape.

As digital payments continue to grow, especially through mobile money, this collaboration is expected to boost the use of cashless payments, provide more convenience for customers, and support broader financial inclusion efforts across Kenya. Both KCB and Airtel Money are confident that this partnership will not only simplify transactions but also bring more people into the formal financial system through seamless and accessible payment solutions.