Safaricom Introduces Tap to Pay in M-PESA Business App

Safaricom launches Tap to Pay for M-PESA Business App

Safaricom has announced the launch of a new Tap to Pay feature within the M-PESA Business App, enabling merchants to accept payments via NFC on Android smartphones. This development allows businesses to transform their compatible Android devices into contactless payment terminals without requiring additional hardware.

The feature is designed to streamline transactions for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering a more convenient method for customers to pay using contactless cards or NFC-enabled devices. By integrating directly into the existing M-PESA Business App, merchants can now receive payments quickly and securely, reducing the need for physical point-of-sale equipment.

This announcement marks a significant step in expanding digital payment options for Kenyan businesses, leveraging the widespread adoption of Android smartphones to facilitate seamless, tap-to-pay transactions. The move aligns with Safaricom’s broader strategy to enhance the M-PESA ecosystem and provide merchants with modern, accessible financial tools.

How Tap to Pay works for merchants

For merchants using the M-PESA Business App, accepting payments has become significantly simpler. Instead of requiring a dedicated point-of-sale terminal or additional hardware, the merchant can use their own NFC-enabled Android phone as the payment receiver. When a customer is ready to pay, the merchant simply opens the app and taps their phone against the customer’s contactless card or NFC-enabled device.

This contactless interaction securely transmits the payment details, allowing the transaction to be processed directly through the M-PESA system. The entire process eliminates the need to carry extra equipment, reducing setup costs and logistical burdens. For small businesses and mobile vendors, this means they can turn their existing smartphone into a complete payment acceptance tool, offering a quick and streamlined checkout experience for their customers without investing in separate hardware.

Pricing and transaction limits

For merchants evaluating the new service, the cost structure is straightforward. Tap to Pay applies a transaction fee of 0.5% for payments up to KES 5,000. This low percentage is designed to encourage adoption for everyday, low-value purchases. There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, making the feature accessible to businesses of all sizes without fixed overheads.

Daily processing is capped at KES 150,000, which suits most small and medium-sized retailers. This limit resets each day, allowing for consistent cash flow management. The absence of standing charges means merchants only pay when they actually transact, keeping costs aligned with sales volume.

For comparison, this fee structure is positioned to be competitive within the Kenyan digital payments market. The key takeaway is simplicity: a small per-transaction cost, a clear daily ceiling, and no hidden recurring expenses. Merchants can therefore plan their pricing and cash flow with confidence, knowing exactly what they will pay for each sale.

Availability and rollout details

The Tap to Pay feature will be rolled out to all M-PESA Business App users in Kenya, beginning with Android devices. This phased approach allows Safaricom to ensure a smooth and stable deployment before expanding to other platforms. iOS support is expected to follow at a later date, with the company yet to announce a specific timeline for Apple device users.

Importantly, this rollout does not require any additional hardware. Merchants already using the M-PESA Business App on a compatible Android smartphone can enable the feature without purchasing a separate card reader or terminal. This removes a common barrier to entry for small businesses and informal traders, allowing them to accept contactless payments with the device they already own.

For merchants, the key rollout points are:

• Initial availability is for Android users in Kenya.
• iOS support is planned but not yet available.
• No extra hardware is needed to start using the service.