Airtel Money has expanded digital payment options for customers through integration with Integrated Payment Systems Limited (IPSL), the operator of Pesalink.
This will enable Airtel Money customers to send money directly from their mobile money wallets to 30 banks and SACCOs & microfinance banks on the Pesalink ecosystem across Kenya.
Airtel money customers can do this through the MyAirtel App by selecting the Pay Bill option, choosing their preferred bank, entering the account number and transaction amount, and completing the transaction.
The service is also accessible via USSD by dialing *334#.
The Pesalink rails enable Airtel Money to connect with participating banks, SACCOs & microfinance banks without the need for separate bilateral integrations and agreements with each institution.
The partnership will also progressively extend services to agent cash-in and cash-out via Airtel money agent network and person-to-merchant (P2M) transfers.
“This partnership with IPSL enables us to extend our reach into the broader financial ecosystem through Pesalink. By facilitating wallet-to-bank transfers across multiple financial institutions, we are making it easier for customers to move money seamlessly between mobile wallets and bank accounts. This reinforces our commitment to expanding financial access and delivering greater convenience to our customers,” said Michael Bonke, Acting Managing Director, Airtel Money Kenya.
Airtel Money Ecosystem and integration features
To enhance transaction accuracy and customer confidence, the integration includes an account verification feature that allows customers to confirm the recipient bank name and account details before completing a transaction.
“The integration builds on the various partnerships we have established with banks, retail outlets, service providers, and digital payment platforms as part of our broader strategy to strengthen Kenya’s digital payments ecosystem,” Michael Bonke added.
IPSL CEO, Gituku Kirika, noted that, “Pesalink was built to make payments open and interoperable, giving customers the freedom to easily and affordably move money, regardless of where it is held. Our partnership with Airtel Money is an important milestone in connecting banking rails with mobile money ecosystems. The power of interoperability is in giving Kenyans more choice in how they make everyday payments.”
Pesalink is Kenya’s leading open and interoperable account-to-account payment network. It enables instant, affordable, and reliable transactions across 200 plus Banks, Telcos, FinTechs and SACCOs.
Pesalink is Kenya’s instant and interoperable payment network. It facilitates the 24/7 payments between bank accounts, mobile money wallets, fintechs, and SACCOs via apps, online or USSD.
Pesalink is operated by Integrated Payment Services Limited (IPSL) and owned by the Kenya Bankers Association.
IPSL was established in 2015 under the National Payment System Act. With more than 190+ institutions already connected, the network has become a central pillar of Kenya’s real-time payments infrastructure.
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