M-Pesa is market leader in mobile money business. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Summary
- Banks have set up a mobile money transfer platform, taking the battle for the fast growing transaction revenues to the doorstep of Safaricom’s M-Pesa.
- The platform can handle person-to-person transfers from as low as Sh10 to a high of Sh999,999.
- It has transacted Sh15 billion six months after its February this year launch, according to IPSL chief executive Jennifer Theuri.
The entry of commercial banks in the mobile money business and
the impact of a gaming tax imposed on betting firms effective January
are likely to eat into Safaricom’s
M-Pesa earnings, Citi analysts have predicted.
Commercial
banks in February set up a mobile money transfer platform, taking the
battle for the fast growing transaction revenues to the doorstep of
Safaricom’s M-Pesa.
The platform offered by Integrated
Payment Services Ltd (IPSL), a fully-owned subsidiary of the Kenya
Bankers Association (KBA), facilitates direct transfers without going
through intermediaries such as M-Pesa, Airtel Money and Orange Money.
It can handle person-to-person transfers from as low as Sh10 to a high of Sh999,999.
The
platform which now features 30 commercial banks transacted Sh15 billion
six months after its February this year launch, according to IPSL chief
executive Jennifer Theuri.
“We think M-Pesa’s growth
going forward will be somewhat challenged by the banks, which are taking
share in faster growing mobile-payments,” said the Citi analysts.
Safaricom is expected to announce its half-year results on Friday.
While
the initial phase of the Pesa Link project involved person-to-person
money transfers, the second phase will include businesses and establish
partnerships with government agencies, mobile virtual network operators
(MVNO) and other players in the mobile money transfer subsector.
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