Safaricom Kenya has made a small change in their Mpesa tariffs. The mobile network operator has introduced M-PESA Kadogo. These are new Mpesa rates for specific Mpesa transactions. The new Mpesa withdrawal charges will affect transactions that are up to and below Ksh 100.
There are three Safaricom Mpesa transactions that will benefit from the new Mpesa rates under M-pesa Kadogo. These are sending cash to other Mpesa (registered) users, Lipa na Mpesa and Paybill payments that involve customer to business transactions. Any Mpesa transaction that is Ksh 100 and below will now be free for these three categories.
The new Mpesa tariffs are intended to increase financial inclusion. They are also a response to the growing popularity of Equitel Kenya. Equitel rates are zero when sending money to an Equitel or Orange line. Mpesa is still the most popular mobile money wallet in Kenya.
However, Equitel Kenya is becoming popular. Equitel is preferred by low and middle income earners such as students and small businesses. The new Mpesa tariffs under Mpesa Kadogo will not apply when sending money to unregistered Mpesa users. Some Mpesa withdrawal charges remain unchanged. Mpesa Kadogo will not apply when withdrawing money from Mpesa agents and ATMs.
New Mpesa Tariffs – Safaricom Kenya introduces Mpesa Kadogo
Sports betting is popular in Kenya. Consequently, many Mpesa transactions are done on SportPesa, Mcheza, Elitebet Kenya, Betway and Betin Kenya. These are the leading online sports betting platforms in Kenya. Sports betting fans would be particularly pleased with any new Mpesa tariffs. This is because most punters have been depositing between Ksh 50 and Ksh 100.
They then use this cash to bet for the SportPesa jackpot, Mcheza jackpot, and on other sports betting websites in Kenya.
.@bobcollymore Introducing M-PESA kadogo , M-PESA transactions below Ksh 100 ,P2P & Lipa Na M-PESA will be free. pic.twitter.com/CfdOsxDmCr
— Safaricom Limited (@SafaricomLtd) November 4, 2016
Safaricom Kenya has placed a limit on Mpesa Kadogo. This is to avoid abuse of the new Mpesa charges. There will be a limit when sending cash to the same number within an hour. Businesses that have a Till Number or Safaricom Paybill Number will also benefit from Mpesa Kadogo.
This is because Safaricom Kenya will not charge them anything when receiving payments for Mpesa transactions of up to Ksh 100. The new Mpesa tariffs will also make paying bills cheaper. This includes KPLC bills and DSTV Kenya. Other bills mostly paid through Mpesa include GOTV and StarTimes bills.
