- tappi, a digital commerce SaaS startup, has teamed up with Safaricom to support M-PESA’s network of 650,000 Kenyan micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by improving their digital presence.
- This partnership aims to provide businesses with tools to boost their online credibility and visibility, offering a significant opportunity for MSMEs to thrive in the digital landscape.
- tappi’s digital services are now featured on the M-PESA For Business Super App, a platform designed to diversify M-PESA’s services for its large merchant base.
M-PESA, with over 60 million active users and connections to 900,000 businesses, plays a vital role in Africa’s digital payment ecosystem. With MSMEs contributing up to 40% of the continent’s GDP but facing an 80% failure rate within their first five years, this collaboration offers a timely solution to critical challenges.
As part of the package, tappi provides MSMEs with a free webpage, SMS/WhatsApp review integration, and bulk SMS marketing credits, all at a subsidised cost of KSh 1,350 (~$11). These services are designed to improve customer engagement and streamline business operations.
The partnership also introduces M-PESA Ratiba, an automated payment solution for business owners to manage recurring payments seamlessly, reducing the risk of service disruptions.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in providing Kenyan MSMEs with the tools they need to scale their businesses and enhance customer interaction.
It also aims to engage at least 300,000 users of the M-PESA for Business App and has officially launched with an initial group of over 250 users from the food, fashion, health, and beauty sectors in Kenya.
tappi’s solutions will enhance the existing features of the M-PESA For Business app, which include viewing collections, statements, and payments, as well as transacting directly from the M-PESA till number.
Per Kenfield Griffith, CEO and Co-Founder of tappi, “With over 35 million subscribers, M-PESA has long established itself as the engine through which millions of local entrepreneurs handle their transactions, and with many of these businesses constantly looking for new customers, our tools will be a crucial springboard in driving them to achieve this within an online setting.”
The startup’s partnership with Safaricom is the latest move in its mission to bridge the digital divide for Africa’s MSMEs, tapping into the continent’s $20 billion market.
In May 2024, the startup signed an MoU with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), aiming to enhance digital services for 30,000 MSMEs in Kenya.
This move followed its expansion into Côte d’Ivoire in March 2024 through a partnership with MTN, which also covers Nigeria. In December 2023, it raised a $1.5 million preseed.
What’s more, since launching in 2019, tappi claims to have achieved a 90% customer retention rate, with a payback period of just 1.5 months. The platform says it has facilitated $3.4 million in consumer transactions and engaged with over 180,000 consumers, reinforcing its commitment to digital inclusion and MSME support across Africa.
