Tech giant Google has teamed up with East Africa’s largest bank by assets, Equity Bank, to launch BebaPay, a payment card for bus travel in Kenya.

The NFC-enabled electronic payment card will allow Kenyans to pay for transport by tapping their BebaPay card on a reader.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

However, instead of dedicated card readers, NFC-enabled Android phones are used by matatu conductors to collect payments.

The Kenyan bus conducters or matatu have previously been known to leave with customers change, when payments were conducted by cash. The hope is that this latest move will make it easier for Kenyan commuters to manage their money.

Joe Mucheru, Google Kenya’s Country Manager said: "Research showed that technology could help bus operators and passengers to ease the process of ticketing, so we are pleased that Nairobi commuters can now enjoy the advantages of BebaPay."

The launch is a form of re-branding since the card was introduced in Nairobi in May 2012 and was available for free from beba agents.

Commuters are able to sign up for a free BebaPay prepaid card online, after which they can be collected from major bus stops. They can then be topped up from Equity Bank agents or through mobile money.

Each card is tied to the user’s phone, allowing them to receive a free SMS receipt after every transaction is made.

Google also announced plans to release a free Android app that would allow P2P NFC payments via the BebaPay card, enabling merchants to rely on cashless payments.

Google has not yet clarified when this feature of the service will be made available.

Related Articles

MasterCard ranks m-payment readiness level

Google considers plans for NFC mobile service