Safaricom spins out Little and Makao M-PESA mini apps
Safaricom has entered into a deal with Little and Makao that will enable M-PESA customers to access services from the two firms within the M-PESA Super App.
This means that customers will now access both the Little and Makao M-PESA Mini Apps under the “Discover” option on the M-PESA Super App.
“For 15 years, M-PESA has connected millions of customers to opportunities through a wide range of financial services. Our next evolution focuses on enabling businesses to grow and scale through solutions such as the M-PESA Super App, which empowers businesses to reach our more than 30 million customers through digital storefronts in the form of M-PESA Mini Apps," said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom
The Little M-PESA Mini App will enable customers to order for taxis or bodabodas, order food from restaurants while Makao will see customers book for short-term accommodation and holiday homes across Kenya.
“As part of this initiative, we are excited to partner with Little and Makao as Mini App partners, who will provide our customers with digital ride solutions and holiday rentals and accommodations from the convenience of the M-PESA Super App.”
Read also: Innovations pay off as M-PESA active users per month cross 30 million
Speaking during the launch, the CEO, Little, Kamal Budhabatti said: “We are pleased to partner with Safaricom for the M-PESA mini-app launch... Our long-standing partnership with Safaricom has been instrumental in our expansion.”
Florence Cheruiyot, the CEO, Makao, said: “We are pleased to partner with Safaricom to launch the Makao M-PESA Mini App, which presents our hosts with the opportunity to reach more than 30 million customers and holidaymakers with the convenience of easily paying with M-PESA.”
As part of the launch, all customers who use the Little M-PESA Mini App will get Kes300 off their first two rides for the next one month, while those who use the Makao M-PESA Mini App will get 15 percent off on stays booked for the next one month. The first ten customers to book rentals in Mombasa will be awarded free yacht rides.
The two M-PESA Mini Apps now bring the total number of such apps within the M-PESA Super App to 25.
Other M-PESA Mini Apps include the SGR Mini App, flight booking Mini App, the NSSF Mini App, M-Tiba Mini App, and the GiftPesa Mini App for supermarkets and other retail gift vouchers.
Safaricom is looking to partner with over 100 businesses and organizations to provide their services and products as apps within the M-PESA Super App.
These include all county services across Kenya, other government agencies, eCitizen, supermarkets, as well as restaurants.
Since its launch in June 2021, M-PESA Super App has so far received over five million downloads in Kenya.