Safaricom partners with Pesapal to launch M-PESA contactless payment on 30,000 terminals in Kenya

Kenyan telecommunications giant Safaricom is partnering with payment company Pesapal to modernize the shopping experience in Kenya. According to information reported by TechCabal on October 1, 2026, this collaboration introduces contactless payment via NFC technology and QR codes on 30,000 Pesapal electronic payment terminals, primarily located in hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets.

This new system aims to drastically simplify the user journey. Previously, M-PESA customers had to manually enter the merchant's identification number, the amount, and then their secret code. Now, they simply need to bring a compatible smartphone close to the terminal for Safaricom's My OneApp to automatically detect the payment information, leaving the customer only to validate the transaction via biometrics or their PIN code.

For users whose phones do not have NFC technology, a QR code alternative is available on the same terminals. Agosta Liko, the founder of Pesapal, stated that his platform spent six months in testing phases before this widespread rollout. This solution generates no additional fees for consumers, ensuring a smooth transition to this fast payment method.

This alliance allows Safaricom to expand its network without having to manufacture or distribute its own physical terminals. The company, which already has more than 60,000 points of sale compatible with its scan-to-pay service, aims to reach the threshold of 500,000 points of sale within a year. For its part, Pesapal strengthens the appeal of its machines, which represent approximately 30,000 of the 57,000 terminals recorded in Kenya in August 2026 according to the country's Central Bank.

Our perspective

This innovation demonstrates the technological maturity of the Kenyan financial ecosystem and the ingenuity of local players in boosting financial inclusion. By joining forces, Safaricom and Pesapal are showcasing African technological expertise. They prove that the continent is designing its own digital and economic sovereignty solutions, adapted to the realities and needs of its populations.