Airtel Money has linked up with Absa Bank Kenya to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Kenya receive and manage digital payments
The new service enables direct transfers from the mobile wallets into Absa Bank Kenya accounts and payments to Absa merchant paybill accounts.
The partnership enhances convenience, speed, and reliability for everyday transactions, including business payments, bill settlements, and seamless fund transfers using mobile phones.
“We believe in fostering collaborative digital partnerships that help power the economy, meeting the needs of customers in rural and underserved areas where mobile money remains the most accessible financial tool. As customers increasingly demand payment solutions that are simple, fast, and reliable, this partnership addresses the long-standing friction points in digital payments, supporting the growth of small businesses and making digital payments work better for everyday life,” said Airtel Money Managing Director Anne Kinuthia-Otieno.
This integration is designed to support both personal and business use and will also see Airtel Money customers enjoy up to 100% per cent guaranteed cashback as airtime on all paybill payments.
Speaking during the partnership agreement signing, Absa Bank Kenya Business Banking Director, Renato D’Souza, said the bank understands the need for convenience for SMEs, which saves the businesses time to focus on what really matters to them.
“As a growth partner for our customers, we get to champion the kind of innovation that fundamentally shifts how businesses operate. Today’s SMEs are not just looking for banking services; they’re looking for ecosystems that help them move faster, stay agile, and compete in an increasingly digital marketplace. Our partnership with Airtel is a powerful step in that direction,” Renato said.
He added: “By enabling seamless transfers from Money wallets into Absa accounts and simplifying payments to Absa merchant paybill numbers, we are giving entrepreneurs more control, more choice, and more efficiency in how they manage their cashflows. This is about unlocking the full potential of digital payments for SMEs across Kenya and ensuring they have the tools to grow with confidence in a rapidly evolving economy.”
Customers can make merchant transactions through the USSD menu by dialling *334# or via the My Airtel App by selecting Airtel paybill on the Airtel Money menu and entering Absa paybill number 303030, followed by the Absa Bank account number or merchant short code.
Airtel Money Kenya
Airtel Money Kenya is the fastest-growing mobile money services provider in Kenya. The company strives to offer Kenyans seamless, convenient, and value-for-money mobile money services. Airtel Money Kenya separated from its parent company, Airtel Networks Kenya Limited, in 2022, allowing the company to better serve its customers. It offers its customers instant, secure, and borderless transactions, bridging the financial inclusion gap in Kenya. The company is a fully owned subsidiary of Airtel Africa PLC, licensed and regulated by the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Central Bank of Kenya as a Payment Service Provider (PSP). https://www.airtelkenya.com/
Absa Bank Kenya Plc is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and is one of Kenya’s leading financial institutions. The Bank has been a major player in Kenya’s financial landscape, engaged in personal and institutional banking, bancassurance and asset management.
The Bank’s regional and global footprint enables it to offer end-to-end financial solutions to retail and institutional clients. It has also been associated with several market firsts, such as the launch of the first ATM, WhatsApp banking, Sharia-compliant banking, and unsecured lending.
Absa Bank Kenya has a presence in 38 counties. It has 91 branches and service centres, 208 ATMs, +8000 agency outlets and a robust Internet and mobile banking platforms. The bank’s purpose is to empower Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time.
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