“We are happy to onboard tappi as our first mini-app partner on the M-PESA Business app.” CEO, Safaricom-Peter Ndegwa
Nairobi, Kenya; 22nd October 2024— Tappi, the leading digital commerce platform, has announced its partnership with Safaricom’s M-PESA to digitize 650,000 business users across Kenya.
The end-to-end digital commerce SaaS solution provider targets to reach at least 300,000 M-PESA for Business App users.
For a start, the partnership will commence with an initial cohort of over 250 M-PESA For Business app users across the food, fashion, health, and beauty sectors throughout Kenya.
By empowering M-PESA’s strong network of Kenyan MSMEs, the collaboration is set to provide innovative digital solutions to bolster their online credibility and visibility, signaling the latest phase of Tappi’s rapid expansion journey over the last 12 months.
The tappi’s solutions will build on the M-PESA For Business app’s existing functionalities, which include viewing collections, statements, and payments as well as transacting directly from the M-PESA till number.
Launched on the M-PESA For Business Super App, the joint effort marks M-PESA’s drive to expand its suite of services for the 650,000 users registered for its business till number, as well as over 50 million monthly active users across several African countries.
As part of the collaboration, the tappi mini app also entails the M-PESA Ratiba, a new automated solution allowing M-PESA users to automate their online payments. This will help business owners seamlessly pay their subscriptions monthly without disruptions.
With tappi becoming one of the first mini apps to feature on M-PESA For Business, the startup will deliver a subsidized package equipping M-PESA’s merchants to build their online presence and strengthen engagement with an expanded customer base. Additionally, it will help the Mpesa merchants get verified reviews.
For Ksh. 1,350 (approximately $11), merchants will receive access to a free webpage, 50 SMS/WhatsApp reviews, which will be integrated into the merchant’s websites, as well as 250 bulk SMS marketing credits.
According to the CEO of tappi, Penfield Griffith, the partnership is a significant milestone for tappi and a huge endorsement of the value Safaricom and tappi look to generate for MSMEs across Kenya.
“Since M-PESA has long established itself as the engine through which millions of local entrepreneurs handle their transactions, and with many of these businesses constantly looking for new customers, our tools will be a crucial springboard in driving them to achieve this within an online setting.” Griffith said.
Similarly, Safaricom CEO is highly optimistic about the joint venture.
“This partnership seeks to empower our merchants with affordable and innovative tools and capabilities to grow their businesses. We look forward to driving financial inclusion through building the capacities of small and medium-sized businesses, enhancing customer experience, and thus contributing to the Kenyan economy.” said Ndegwa