Ride-hailing giant Uber has stopped accepting Visa cards in Kenya, removing a payment option that was once central to its appeal among business travelers and expatriates in East Africa’s largest e-hailing market. The decision, which took effect in January, was confirmed by Uber in a statement, citing a global review of payment methods driven by rising transaction costs.
An Uber spokesperson stated:
Payment costs globally are on the rise, which impacts businesses and their consumers. We regularly review our payment methods on a market-by-market basis to ensure we’re keeping costs reasonable while balancing any potential impact on consumer experience. We’ve taken this step as a result of this review process.
A Shift in Payment Strategy
Uber’s move underscores a broader trend among global platforms adapting to Africa’s payment realities. As cross-border card fees climb and local payment rails dominate everyday transactions, Uber is narrowing its payment stack to methods that settle locally and cheaply.
In Kenya, this means prioritizing mobile money wallets like M-PESA and cash, while pushing international card schemes to the margins. Visa cards are no longer accepted on Uber in Kenya, though Mastercard remains operational.
A Visa spokesperson acknowledged the disruption:
We are aware that Visa cards are not currently being accepted by Uber in Kenya. We are in touch with the Uber team, and we are working to resolve this as soon as possible.
The decision marks a reversal from Uber’s early years in Nairobi, when card payments symbolized trust and safety in a cash-heavy market. Back then, most Visa transactions were processed under Uber’s global merchant-of-record structure, routing payments offshore. Each ride carried foreign exchange spreads, interchange fees, and scheme charges tied to Visa.
Those costs have intensified amid high global interest rates and currency volatility. By contrast, local wallets like M-PESA settle in Kenyan shillings, clear instantly, and avoid cross-border charges. Safaricom-owned M-PESA emerges as the biggest winner. Uber’s integration with M-PESA enables direct debits from riders and near-instant payouts to drivers, reducing chargebacks and disputes common with cards.
Mobile money already dominates Kenya’s economy. According to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Kenyans moved KES 636.2 billion ($4.93 billion) through mobile money in the 12 months to February 2025. The network continues to expand, with active agents rising from 320,182 to 394,853 and subscriptions increasing from 77.3 million to 84.6 million over the same period.
Impact on Corporate Travelers and Banks
While mobile money fits Kenya’s consumer habits, the removal of Visa creates friction for corporate riders who rely on credit cards for expense claims, rewards, and travel policies. Cash and mobile wallets do not align with many company travel frameworks. The move also dents years of card promotion by local lenders such as KCB and Equity Bank, which positioned Visa as a gateway to online services. Ride-hailing was a flagship use case for these campaigns.
