Tappi Partners with Safaricom’s M-PESA to Digitize 650,000 Kenyan SMEs
Kenyan digital commerce startup tappi has teamed up with Safaricom’s M-PESA to provide innovative digital solutions for 650,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Kenya. The collaboration aims to boost the online credibility and visibility of these businesses, marking a significant step in tappi’s expansion journey over the past year.
The partnership is featured on the M-PESA For Business Super App, a platform supporting the 650,000 users registered with M-PESA’s business till number, as well as over 50 million monthly active users across several African countries. Tappi, one of the first mini apps to be integrated into M-PESA For Business, will offer a subsidized package that helps merchants build their online presence, capture verified customer reviews, and expand their customer base.
For around $11, merchants will receive a free webpage, 50 SMS/WhatsApp reviews, integrated directly into their websites, and 250 Bulk SMS Marketing Credits. Additionally, M-PESA Ratiba, a new automated payment solution, will be included within the tappi mini app, allowing business owners to seamlessly manage monthly subscriptions without disruptions.
“This partnership is a significant milestone for tappi and a strong endorsement of the value Safaricom and tappi aim to bring to MSMEs across Kenya,” said Kenfield Griffith, CEO and Co-Founder of tappi. “M-PESA has long been a crucial platform for millions of local entrepreneurs, and with many businesses seeking to attract new customers, our tools will serve as a critical springboard for achieving that online.”
The partnership targets at least 300,000 M-PESA For Business app users, starting with an initial group of 250 businesses from the food, fashion, health, and beauty sectors. Tappi’s solutions will complement the app’s existing features, such as transaction viewing, statements, and payment processing directly through M-PESA till numbers.
Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom’s CEO, commented, “We are excited to welcome tappi as our first mini-app partner on the M-PESA Business app. This partnership is designed to empower our merchants with affordable, innovative tools to grow their businesses, enhance customer experience, and contribute to the Kenyan economy.”
