Airtel Kenya revamps mobile money system

Airtel Kenya has revamped its Airtel Money mobile commerce service, launching a customer-friendly access menu and overhauling its distribution network. To increase uptake of the service, more than 6,000 agents have been recruited countrywide to support the dealer network, and the number is expected to grow to 8,000 by the end of the year. These include banks, bank agents, supermarket chains and Posta outlets. CEO Rene Meza said Airtel Money provides consumers with a robust range of products from mobile banking, service payments, airtime top-ups and money transfers. Meza said besides the lucrative money transfer business, the new features on Airtel Money will enable the company to tap into the mobile commerce business in Kenya fully. Airtel entered mobile commerce two years ago under the Zap brand. The service provides e-commerce services including online payments, online banking, utility bill payments for electricity, DStv and water. Airtel Money has signed up close to 100 business partners who provide various services including bulk payments, collection accounts and super dealerships.