Safaricom Now Allows Kenyans Pay For Goods With Internet Data Balance

Safaricom, the leading telecoms operator in Kenya, has introduced a new service called “Lipa na Data” that allows customers to pay for goods and services using their internet data balance. This move is part of Safaricom’s ongoing efforts to expand its customer base in the East African nation. The service is available to both postpaid and prepaid customers who have a minimum of 5GB of data at the time of the transaction. Prepaid subscribers can utilize this feature with No Expiry data bundles.

With “Lipa na Data,” subscribers can make payments at shops using either Paybill or till numbers. Prepaid customers can access the till numbers by dialing the shortcode *544*34#. When ineligible customers dial the shortcode, they will see an error message on their device screen, while eligible customers will be presented with a menu of four options: Buy Goods, Pay Bill, Bundle Calculator, and View Bundle Balance.

The Bundle Calculator tool provides users with the bill amount in Kenyan Shillings along with its data bundle equivalent. For instance, a bill worth Sh500 will cost approximately 7.7GB of data, while a charge of Sh2,000 is equivalent to 30GB. At this point, the user can accept or decline the payment request. The View Bundle Balance option allows users to check if they have sufficient balance for the transaction.

“Lipa na Data” is just one of several marketing strategies Safaricom has implemented to maintain its dominance in the Kenyan market, along with its popular mobile money service, M-Pesa. The company has also introduced innovative payment methods such as the Fuliza service, which allows qualified users to pay for goods and services through an overdraft, and the Lipa na Bonga offer, which enables consumers to offset cash bills using loyalty points.

Safaricom’s recent focus on customer-facing services can be attributed, in part, to its declining net profit. In the fiscal year ending March 2023, the company reported a net profit of Sh52.48 billion, representing a 22.7% decrease compared to the previous year. This decline is primarily due to the substantial operating expenses incurred in the Ethiopian market, where Safaricom is also trying to establish a presence.

To enhance its position in Ethiopia, Safaricom recently appointed Wim Vanhelleputte as the CEO of its operations in the country. Vanhelleputte, previously with the MTN Group, succeeded Anwar Soussa, who played a significant role in securing over 4 million subscribers and obtaining an operating license for M-Pesa during his two-year tenure.

In addition to offering multiple payment solutions, Safaricom has prioritized the expansion of its network coverage, particularly with the introduction of the highly anticipated 5G network. As of April this year, Safaricom’s 5G network was available in 21 out of Kenya’s 47 counties.

Safaricom continues to maintain its dominant position in Kenya, as reflected in the Communication Authority’s data on prepaid subscribers. According to the report, Safaricom holds a significant 66% share of registered users, followed by Airtel Kenya with 27% and Telkom Kenya with 4.2%. Furthermore, M-Pesa, the largest mobile money service in Kenya, commands a whopping 96.5% share of the country’s mobile money market, with Airtel Money and T-Kash holding 3.4% and 0.1% respectively.

Airtel recently announced its plans to challenge Safaricom’s market advantage by launching its own 5G network in July. However, Safaricom’s success with M-Pesa and its associated services make it challenging for competitors to dethrone the telecom operator. Moreover, Safaricom had already brought 5G to Kenya ahead of Airtel, further solidifying its position in the market.