20/09/2024 - Safaricom Rolls Out a Standing Order Feature for M-PESA Users

M-PESA Ratiba will allow customers to conveniently schedule their utility and other payments on M-PESA while opening new possibilities in subscription services such as news media and entertainment industry.

Safaricom’s Mobile Money Platform, M-PESA has introduced M-PESA Ratiba, a first of its kind on mobile money feature that will allow users to set up standing orders directly from their M-PESA wallets, enabling seamless and automatic payments of recurring transactions and bills.

The feature allows users to automatically transfer funds from their wallet on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis to another person, or to pay recurring bills or subscriptions. Other benefits include a simple and seamless set up process and no penalties incurred for cancelled or failed standing order transfers that may occur due to insufficient balance.

“Safaricom continues to transform lives through delivery of differentiated and personalized digital financial services and experiences to our customers. M-PESA Ratiba will allow customers worry-free digital payments of bills and transactions. We continue to innovate on the M-PESA platform to give our customers more visibility, control and security around their financial wellness’, Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom’s CEO said.

This innovation, the first of its kind to bring standing orders to the convenience of mobile devices, plays a key role in enhancing financial inclusion among the underbanked population while advancing the country’s progress towards a cash-lite economy. 

M-PESA Ratiba will also play a key role in driving subscription services, opening new possibilities in the media and entertainment, software and technology, health and wellness, education as well as the e-commerce industries while transforming customer experiences within the financial services ecosystem. With M-PESA Ratiba, you can set up a regular payment for rent, school fees, insurance, newspaper subscription or other standard utility bills payment as well as upkeep for your loved ones.

M-PESA Ratiba is now accessible on the M-PESA App’s Financial Services tab and on USSD through *334# option 9. 

To get started, customers must review and accept the terms and conditions, and they can then opt in using their M-PESA PIN. They can then choose which standing orders to set up, whether for sending money to family and friends, paying regular bills, or purchasing goods and services.

Since its launch in 2020, the M-PESA super app has grown to be a lifestyle app with over 80 mini-apps offering products and services in payments, savings and access to credit. The addition of M-PESA Ratiba reaffirms Safaricom’s commitment to its vision of transforming lives.