Kenyans on the Safaricom network and registered to use the M-Pesa mobile money service will now be able to receive money from countries in Europe, following an announcement by Azimo, an online money transfer service.
Available across the UK and Europe, the service allows for sent funds to be delivered instantly, enabling customers to withdraw money from any M-Pesa agent outlet across the country or from M-Pesa supported ATMs in the country.
To register for the Azimo service is free and will require a customer to use their email address or Facebook profile for the registration through a mobile phone or PC.
After registration, the user will require to have details of the recipient, including the name as it appears on their M-Pesa account, their mobile number and the amount of money you are sending.
“We are delighted to be working with M-Pesa to expand our global money transfer network. Africa has long been at the forefront of mobile money and our new service will allow us to help our customers hold on to more of their hard-earned cash,” said Michael Kent, CEO Azimo.
With an aim to offer convenient and good value service to working migrants in the region, Azimo wants to reach the large number of working Kenyans living abroad and expand operations with this Kenyan launch.
In 2013, the Central Bank reported that Kenyans living abroad sent money back home to a totality of 1.38 billion dollars, with the country recording almost 100 million mobile banking transactions totalling 3.3 billion dollars between January and February the same year.
The service, available in various countries, including Italy, Ireland and Germany will be offered free for all first transfers by using the promotional code AZIMOMPESA.
Starting end of August this year, Safaricom made changes to its M-Pesa transfer charges by lowering fees for money being sent of up to KSh 2,500 and increased transfer fees for money exceeding the same amount.
