Safaricom and Uber enable M-Pesa payments for ride shares

09 August 2023

Safaricom and Uber have partnered in Kenya to launch a programme that enables users to pay for trips using M-Pesa.

Safaricom said that the partnership will help drivers without bank accounts, as about 20% of drivers on the platform do not have bank accounts and thus are unable to take full advantage of digital trips, according to data from Uber.

"This partnership with Uber will allow us to offer a fully digital solution with quicker, more secure, more affordable, and more convenient payments through M-PESA to millions of customers, drivers, and delivery personnel,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom. "We maintain a strong commitment to working with partners like Uber as they enable us to deliver more value and opportunities to our customers in line with our purpose to transform lives.”

"We are thrilled to offer riders on our platform the simplicity and convenience of mobile money through the integration of M-Pesa for trip payments. We are happy to have Safaricom as a partner as we take this important step to increase financial inclusion in the nation,” said the head of Uber's East Africa region, Imran Manji.