Kenya’s leading telecommunication service provider Safaricom, has continued to make adjustments in the company’s products with that aim of catering to all regardless of their social class or status. In the new changes, Safaricom PLC has dropped the minimum amount of airtime purchase from Mpesa 5ksh previously to now 1ksh. This adjustment were effected on the 16th of September 2024. Through text messages sent to it’s users, Safaricom has noted that:
“Hata shilingi ni pesa! Sasa unaweza kununua Safaricom airtime ya kuanzia shilingi moja ukitumia M-Pesa. Angalia M-Pesa balance yako na ujaribu kununua leo,”
This adjustment allows users greater flexibility, enabling them to engage with the M-Pesa platform more conveniently. With this new minimum, individuals can now transact smaller amounts, making financial services more accessible to a wider audience. According to Safaricom, this development was part of its ongoing efforts to enhance convenience for its customers. The company had sent messages to users informing them of the change.
The recent change allowing M-Pesa users to purchase airtime for as little as Sh1 marks a significant shift in accessibility. By lowering the minimum from Sh5 to Sh1, this update offers a newfound flexibility that benefits users, especially those with limited funds. For individuals in remote areas or those with irregular income streams, this change is particularly valuable. It ensures they can remain connected even when their financial resources are minimal. Furthermore, this new policy allows users to purchase exact amounts of airtime tailored to their specific needs.
On the flip side, the new changes are now seen as the company’s move to expand its income. This is based on the fact that those who were left behind with the 5ksh min will have no excuse not to spend their coins based on limitations buy the company. This comes approximately Three months after Safaricom introduced charges of upto 0.50 ksh on a person’s reverse call. This meant that users are only entitled to two free reverse calls per day, there after, the initiator is charge 0.50 ksh per reverse call made.