Safaricom Awarded Payment Facilitator Certificate by Visa

Safaricom, Kenya’s leading mobile network operator, has received the Payment Facilitator Certificate from Visa, marking a major development in its merchant services. This certification enables Safaricom to integrate card payments from all major networks using Visa’s CyberSource Payment Gateway, expanding its payment acceptance options for merchants.

This move strengthens the Safaricom-Visa partnership, which began with the launch of the M-PESA GlobalPay Visa Virtual Card in 2022, allowing users to make cashless payments globally. Safaricom has also introduced tap-to-pay services, further enhancing payment flexibility for both mobile and card-based transactions.

Chad Pollock, Visa East Africa's General Manager, praised the partnership's impact on merchant growth, while Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer, Esther Waititu, highlighted how this milestone aligns with their vision of providing secure, diverse payment options. 

This collaboration is set to revolutionize the payment landscape in Kenya, benefiting over 600,000 merchants who use M-PESA, and further cementing Safaricom’s position in the country's financial ecosystem.