Safaricom drops charges for M-Pesa transactions to reduce risk of coronavirus

The leading provider of converged communication solutions in Kenya, Safaricom has waived fees for M-Pesa transactions below Sh1,000 for more use of mobile money and also increased daily transaction limits from Sh70,000 to Sh150,000 to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, according to a news report by Capital Fm.

We have waived fees for person to person M-PESA transactions below kshs1,000, and increased daily transaction limits from Kshs70,000 to Kshs150,000. pic.twitter.com/Urmq2M1ITC

— Safaricom PLC (@SafaricomPLC) March 16, 2020

Safaricom says the 90-day waiver which comes into effect starting from March 17, follows a presidential directive to avoid the risk of transmission through physical handling of money.

At the same time, the Central Bank of Kenya has approved the increase of daily M-Pesa transactions limit form the current Sh70,000 to Sh150,000.

Press release: Emergency Measures to Facilitate Mobile Money Transactions pic.twitter.com/py6FIsvYdH

— Central Bank of Kenya (@CBKKenya) March 16, 2020

Safaricom is also working with the Government by providing a Call Center and integrating a toll-free line which has been set up by the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus to support Kenyans in understanding how to prevent and manage suspected cases.

"We have also interconnected other networks to ensure that their subscribers can access the Call Centre. All calls to 719 are free," Safaricom's CEO Michael Joseph said in a statement.

On Sunday, President Kenyatta called for the use of cashless transactions and appealed to mobile operators and banks to reduce the cost of transactions to combat the deadly disease.

"This pandemic will test us, as it is testing all countries in every corner of the world, but I do not believe it will defeat us. If we pull together, and everybody does their part, we shall overcome its worst impacts," Kenyatta said Sunday.

The number of novel coronavirus cases globally stood at 168,250 with 6,501 deaths, across 142 countries and territories at 0900 GMT Monday, according to a tally compiled by AFP from official sources.