tappi Partners with M-PESA to Empower MSMEs With Affordable Digital

tappi partners with Safaricom to enhance the online visibility and credibility of M-PESA’s extensive network of 650,000 Kenyan MSMEs.

The partnership debuted within the M-PESA For Business Super App, aligning with M-PESA’s mission to broaden its service offerings for the 650,000 registered businesses and its impressive 50 million active users across several African nations.

As one of the pioneering mini-apps to launch on the M-PESA platform, tappi will offer a subsidized package designed to empower M-PESA merchants. This includes boosting their online presence, capturing verified customer reviews, and widening their customer engagement.

For Ksh.1,350 (approximately $11), merchants can access a free webpage, receive 50 integrated SMS/WhatsApp reviews, and obtain 250 Bulk SMS Marketing credits.

Additionally, the partnership introduces M-PESA Ratiba—an automated solution enabling M-PESA users to manage online payments effortlessly, ensuring that business owners can pay their monthly subscriptions without interruption.

tappi’s Vision for MSMEs

Kenfield Griffith, CEO and Co-Founder of tappi, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “This partnership is a pivotal achievement for tappi and a tremendous endorsement of the value we aim to generate for MSMEs across Kenya. M-PESA has established itself as the backbone for countless local entrepreneurs managing transactions, and our tools will enable these businesses to reach new customers within the online marketplace.”

Enabling Digital Inclusion

The initiative is projected to engage at least 300,000 users of the M-PESA for Business App, with an initial rollout for over 250 merchants across varied sectors, including food, fashion, health, and beauty.

Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom’s CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Welcoming tappi as our first mini-app partner within the M-PESA Business app allows us to provide our merchants with innovative and affordable tools that facilitate business growth.

This partnership is a step toward advancing financial inclusion and strengthening the capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises, ultimately benefiting the Kenyan economy.”

Expanding Footprint in Africa

tappi’s agreement with Safaricom is part of a broader effort to tap into Africa’s $20 billion digital commerce market and address the obstacles that MSMEs encounter in achieving a trusted online presence.

Recent strategic moves include a Memorandum of Understanding established with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) aimed at delivering digital services to 30,000 Kenyan MSMEs.

Earlier this year, tappi also expanded operations into Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria in collaboration with MTN, reinforcing its commitment to bridging the digital divide across the continent.

With an impressive 90% retention rate and a swift 1.5-month payback period since its inception in 2019, tappi has managed verified reviews on consumer transactions worth $3.4 million and engaged over 180,000 consumers. This underscores the startup’s dedication to fostering digital inclusion and supporting MSMEs throughout Africa.

Addressing Challenges for MSMEs

Despite contributing nearly a third of Kenya’s GDP, many MSMEs face challenges in establishing a credible online presence, often due to complex digital tools, credit card requirements, and trust issues in web listings.

tappi aims to simplify this process through an intuitive online business profile creation experience, leveraging advanced payment capabilities, messaging, and artificial intelligence.

As a key player in the digital space, tappi enhances visibility, consolidates payments, and builds online trust for businesses across Africa, providing new avenues for growth and customer engagement.