Little App drivers now accepting card payments
The taxi hailing service, Little App, has partnered with Absa Bank Kenya and digital payments heavyweight, Visa, to introduce an innovative Near Field Communication (NFC) payment feature. As players in the transport sector aim to enhance efficiency, this collaboration aims to streamline and expedite the payment process for Little App taxis by enabling drivers to accept card-based payments using an Android smartphone.
The new platform utilizes Absa’s Mobi Tap app, which transforms a smartphone into a point of sale (POS), allowing customers to simply tap their contactless debit or credit cards on the driver’s Android phone or tablet to make a payment.
“The introduction of the NFC payment feature reinforces our commitment to revolutionize convenience and efficiency within the ride-hailing industry. By incorporating Visa’s renowned expertise and Absa’s local insights, we are confident that this partnership will significantly enhance our users’ payment experience,” said Mr. Kamal Budhabatti, CEO of Little App.
The NFC payment feature simplifies the transaction process for cardholders, ensuring a swift and hassle-free experience. To make a payment, once the driver enters the transaction amount, a customer places their contactless card directly under the driver’s phone, holding it briefly for a successful connection. Once they have completed the payment, a confirmation message will be displayed on the Little App for them to confirm the successful payment with the driver.
Read also: Absa Kenya’s steps toward a financially stronger nation
Market-first solution
Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa, the Business Banking Director of Absa Bank Kenya PLC, has praised the new payment feature as yet another market-first solution that incorporates state-of-the-art security measures, providing a safe and reliable medium for taxi drivers to receive payments.
“As part of our innovation agenda, Absa is committed to such partnerships that work together to make doing business easier, faster, and safer for our customers, particularly those in the Small and Medium-sized (SMEs) category. With the Absa Mobi Tap App, drivers on Little will be able to accept payments on their phone from any debit, credit, or prepaid card, making it faster for consumers to transact while also helping them keep up with the latest payment trends.”
Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Visa Kenya’s Country Manager, said, “Through this collaboration, any Little App driver can start accepting card payments on their NFC-enabled smartphone without the need to purchase a separate POS machine. We look forward to enabling all the drivers in the Little App ecosystem as we continue to expand access to digital payment options.”
Little App, which has a presence in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, Senegal, Ghana, and India, offers mobility, delivery, and payment services.
