M-Pesa is the most prominent mobile money transfer service in Kenya offered by the Safaricom communication company. It is also linked to several banks where customers can make deposits and withdrawals directly from your phone. With M-Pesa, you not only get to send and receive money to your mobile wallet, but you can also use your wallet as a banking option where you can save and even borrow money from M-Shwari.
M-Pesa also allows you to pay for services directly from your phone, and most business targeting Kenyan customers have M-Pesa paybill numbers which support seamless offline and online transactions with no need for cash. The popularity of mobile banking is evident even in the gaming industry where real money casinos available in Kenya offer M-Pesa as one of the mobile payment option supporting both deposits and withdrawals.
Methods of Online Payment Through M-Pesa
M-Pesa Paybill
Most businesses in Kenya today have adopted M-Pesa as a payment platform due to its flexibility and convenience. Since there is a large pool of consumers who make online orders, these enterprises have acquired Paybill numbers from which customers can pay for their goods. Below is a brief guide on how to use the Paybill option:
Step 1: Click on your M-Pesa menu and select Lipa na M-Pesa option.
Step 2: The screen opens up to a Paybill section where you are prompted to enter the business number of the enterprise selling the goods.
Step 3: Enter the account number displayed on the enterprise page.
Step 4: Key in the amount of money.
Step 5: Enter your PIN and confirm.
Step 6: Check the message sent to your phone, which indicates that the transaction is completed.
M-Pesa Till Number
Businesses can opt for a till number, which is slightly cheaper than the Paybill option. Here, clients are not charged any fee. The procedure is also precise and straightforward, just like with the paybill option.
Step 1: Click on the M-Pesa menu and select “Lipa na M-Pesa.”
Step 2: Click on “Buy Goods and Services.”
Step 3: Enter the till number.
Step 4: Key in the amount of money.
Step 5: Enter your PIN and confirm.
Step 6: You will receive a confirmation message within seconds.
Send Directly to Phone Number
In other cases, some businesses owned by individuals have opted to use a phone number instead of the above options. This means that a client paying for items will simply transfer the money to the seller’s phone number through the following steps:
Step 1: From the M-Pesa menu, select the “Send Money” option.
Step 2: Enter the phone number provided by the seller.
Step 3: Key in the amount.
Step 4: Enter your PIN and confirm.
Step 5: The transaction is completed once you receive a confirmation message which also reflects the seller’s account.
For close to a decade, M-Pesa has been operational in Kenya, and it is has proven to be a game-changer. A significant part of the financial sector now relies on this service as an intermediary. Today, most Kenyan enterprises have moved their businesses to the online space, and M-Pesa has come in handy in enabling seamless transactions.
