Jumia partners Airtel Kenya to allow users make mobile payments.

Africa’s e-commerce platform, Jumia, has partnered with Airtel Kenya to enable users to create their online payment transactions using Airtel Money.

The service is part of Jumia’s contactless-delivery initiative, introduced in March as a safety measure against COVID-19. Thus, users are encouraged to prepay for their purchases to avoid the exchange of physical cash.

Head of Financial Services at Jumia, Nelly Movine said, “Millions of Kenyans rely on mobile money daily to make fast payments. By expanding our payment options to include Airtel money, it will make it easier for more consumers to incorporate online shopping as part of their daily transactions.”

With the new deal, Kenya joins the Jumia markets that have launched this payment option at checkout, such as Ghana and Uganda, which have already witnessed quick uptake in Airtel money usage.

Managing Director of Airtel Kenya, Prasanta Das Sarma, said, “We are delighted to be working with Jumia on this exciting partnership to enhance customer experience on the Jumia platform. We are committed to working with partners who are instrumental in promoting financial inclusion through our Airtel money services. This partnership will allow Airtel customers to shop conveniently online by using their Airtel Money wallet from wherever at whatever time using their data-enabled devices.”

The new partnership hopes to drive the use of Airtel Money on eCommerce platforms. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, more people are encouraged to use contactless payments like mobile money. However, Airtel wants to make Airtel Money visible to its customers.

When using Airtel Money at checkout, users enter their Airtel number when paying, get a USSD push, enter their Airtel Money PIN, and press send.

This partnership comes after Jumia introduced new pick-up locations across Ghana to allow customers to receive their orders in no time while saving money.