How Nunua Na M-Pesa Works

In a milestone that is set to re-define the shopping experience, Kenyans can now pay for their goods at supermarkets using the M-PESA service.

Dubbed Nunua na M-PESA, the new service can be enjoyed by over 12 million M-PESA customers and is initially available at all Uchumi and Naivas Supermarket outlets across the country. This follows the signing of partnership agreements between leading telecommunications firm Safaricom and the Uchumi and Naivas Supermarkets.

While speaking at the launch ceremony held at an Uchumi outlet, Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph said the company was leading the way towards a cash-less society where most payments will be made via the telephone or online, hence reducing the risks involved in carrying cash.

“I am extremely excited to be launching Nunua na M-PESA service allowing cashless payments at-the-till for people without a bank account. It resonates with our company‟s commitment to lead the way in innovations that provide convenience and security to our subscribers,” said Joseph. “Following positive feedback from customers who participated in a pilot, as well as the Central Banks go-ahead to roll-out, we shall now proceed with expanding the merchants that will accept Nanua na M-PESA”.

Joseph said Safaricom will continue partnering with organizations to expand the variety of payments that can be made using M-PESA with the aim of providing increased convenience to Kenyans while at the same time maximizing their mobile phone usage.

“This is yet another effort by Safaricom and partners to deepen online and cash-less payment solution in Kenya. It resonates with our company‟s commitment to lead the way in innovations that improve the living standards of our subscribers, in line with M-PESA‟s „Bigger Than Cash‟ aspirations,” said Mr Joseph.

HOW NUNUA NA M-PESA WORKS:

To enjoy the service, customers will need to show an accepted identification document and follow these simple steps on their M-PESA menu:

1. Select „Buy Goods‟

2. Enter the „Till Number‟ of the organization they are paying (as displayed)

3. Enter the amount they wish to pay (Between Sh100-35,000)

4. Enter the M-PESA PIN number, confirm their entry and then press OK.

Upon payment, both the customer and the supermarket sales assistant will receive a confirmation SMS from M-PESA. The sales assistant will then complete the transaction and issue the customer with his sales receipt as normal – indicating the amount paid by M-PESA.

Currently there is no charge to use the Nunua na M-PESA service; however Safaricom may at a later stage introduce a nominal fee. Payments of between KShs 100 and 35,000 per transaction can be made

Since launch in March 2007, M-PESA has evolved beyond money transfer into a total mobile commerce solution. Towards this end, Safaricom has partnered with various utility providers cutting across various sectors of the economy.

About M-Pesa

The M-PESA service, the first of its kind in the world, was launched in March 2007. As at 30th August, 2010, the service had over 12.6 million customers and 20,000 Agent outlets countrywide. The service does not require users to have a bank account; an important aspect in Kenya, where millions of people do not operate bank accounts. With M-PESA, account holders can buy electronic funds at an M-PESA agent and send the electronic value to any other mobile phone user in the country, who can then redeem it for conventional cash at any M-PESA agent. M-PESA customers can hold up to KShs50,000 in their M-PESA account at any one time, and can do transactions of up to KShs 70,000 in a day. Between KShs100 and KShs35,000 can be deposited, sent or withdrawn per transaction.