Nairobi, 22 June 2023 – Absa Bank Kenya has partnered with Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to introduce the Absa Mobi Tap solution, a market-first payment solution that allows small businesses to accept card-based payments from customers using an Android smartphone.
This convenient and secure solution quickens the purchasing process by leveraging the smartphone as a point of sale (POS) and allows customers to simply tap their debit or credit cards on an android phone or tablet to make a payment.
Merchants will only be required to download the Absa Mobi Tap app from the Play Store onto their smartphone, set up their profile, and be ready to accept card payments without the need for a PDQ/POS machine. To process the payment, the merchant will enter the transaction amount, then the customer will tap their contactless card on the back of the smartphone and enter their PIN if required and complete the purchase.
Speaking during the launch event, Elizabeth Wasunna, Absa Bank Kenya’s Business Banking Director expressed the bank’s strong commitment to digital innovation and focus on providing relevant payment solutions for Kenyan customers and small business owners.
Absa Mobi Tap makes use of Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities which facilitate communication between the merchant’s device and the customer’s contactless payment card. The solution is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those with mobile operations that previously relied on cash or electronic funds transfer (EFT). The solution is already in use by merchants such as ride-hailing drivers, restaurants, salons and hardware shops.
“We understand the difficult and challenging business operating environment for many SMEs today and their need to maintain stable cashflow positions, hence Mobi Tap is removing the burden for SMEs to acquire a PDQ machines for their payment needs.” she added.
On her part Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Visa Kenya’s Country Manager applauded Absa’s commitment to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by removing barriers and expanding access to digital payment options.
“Along with the ability to accept more payments more easily and grow revenue, Mobi Tap will help increase financial inclusivity by providing under or unbanked SMEs greater access to digital payments. Being a mobile-first country, the solution allows sellers to take advantage of technology they already have – mobile phones, which are widely owned throughout the country. The partnership with Absa is part of our strategy to continue growing contactless payments for both consumers and merchants in a world where convenience, immediacy and simplicity have become critical,” said Eva.
Under the Absa Mobi Tap proposition, Absa will offer an instalment plan to the merchants to purchase the NFC enabled smartphones. The launch aligns with the recent introduction of a Standard QR Code for service providers and banks to boost digital payment usage in the country by making them easier, faster, convenient and secure.
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About Absa Bank Kenya
Absa Bank Kenya Plc is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and is one of Kenya’s leading financial institutions. The Bank has been a major player in Kenya’s financial landscape, engaged in personal and institutional banking, bancassurance and asset management. The Bank has a regional and global footprint which enables it to offer end-to-end financial solutions to retail and institutional clients. It has also been associated with a number of market firsts, such as the launch of the first ATM, WhatsApp banking, Sharia-compliant banking and unsecured lending. Absa Bank Kenya has presence in 38 counties. It has 83 branches, 208 ATMs and a robust Internet and mobile banking platform. The bank’s purpose is to empower Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time.