In 2014, Kenya’s payments aggregator PesaPal achieved PesaPal is PCI-DSS Level 1 certification to ensure that all transactions over its platform are secure, and trusted with sensitive payment information by both merchants and cardholders shopping online or offline.
Now, PesaPal has added PCI PIN security certification for its mobile point of sale solution.
“Pesapal is pleased to announce that it is now PCI PTS compliant. The certification was issued under the Visa PIN Security Program. This is a global program designed to ensure all participants in the transaction processing chain maintain the highest level of Personal Identification Number (PIN) security,” PesaPal’s Technical Director Mark Mwongela said.
Being PCI PTS compliant assures secure transmission of cardholder details from the point of entry. The PCI PIN Transaction Security (PTS) certification is internationally recognized and is given to financial institutions that have satisfied the rigorous security requirements related to the management of devices used in the protection of cardholder PINs and other payment processing related activities.
By being the first in the region to be PCI PTS complaint, PesaPal shows commitment to growing the payment industry in Africa and as such applies bank grade security features on all its transactions.
Commenting on the new certification, Technical Director Mark Mwongela said, ‘Ensuring that transactions are safe is essential to gaining our merchants trust. It is also a key component to the success of our service as we seek to expand in the payments space’.
In February this year, PesaPal introduced American Express into its payment platform allowing American Express card holders to be able use their cards to transact on any online payment portal that uses PesaPal.
This new option opens up businesses using PesaPal to wider markets as the region sees a surge in foreign investments and Kenya continues to be East Africa’s biggest business hub.
This is especially convenient for businesses in the tourism sector who will add to the variety of booking and payment options available to international clients.
PesaPal also offers an online booking engine for Hotels through its platform www.reserveport.com
Kenyans looking to get an American Express card can do so via Equity Bank who partnered with the financial services provider to offer both the green and gold card.
Launched in Kenya in 2010, PesaPal has expanded into Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi where users can transact using mobile money, Visa and MasterCard and American Express.
