Airtel Kenya has announced a strategic partnership with Naivas Supermarkets, enabling customers to deposit and withdraw cash at all 109 Naivas outlets nationwide. This collaboration will contribute to Airtel Money’s mission to increasing accessibility and convenience for its users.
Speaking at the launch, Anne Kinuthia Otieno, Airtel Money’s Managing Director, said, this partnership is part of the company’s efforts to expand its service footprint and support financial inclusion across Kenya. With over 90,000 Airtel Money agents already in place, this move underscores Airtel’s focus on bringing services closer to communities.
This development comes amid Airtel’s broader strategy to compete more effectively in Kenya’s highly competitive telecommunications market, where Safaricom’s M-Pesa holds a dominant position. While Airtel has made strides in improving its network and service offerings, challenges such as limited market penetration and branding issues persist. This partnership with Naivas could help Airtel attract more customers by providing a seamless cash-handling experience, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas where Naivas has a strong presence.
This move builds on Airtel’s previous efforts to upgrade its network and partner with other companies to improve customer trust and expand its reach. Airtel has been positioning itself as a viable alternative to Safaricom, leveraging competitive pricing and targeted partnerships to enhance its market appeal.
This partnership reflects a growing trend in Kenya’s retail and fintech sectors, where supermarkets and mobile money services are increasingly collaborating to provide integrated financial solutions. As Airtel continues to invest in its ecosystem, it will be worth monitoring whether this and similar initiatives can significantly shift the competitive dynamics in Kenya’s telecom space.
