The long-awaited mobile money interoperability has finally arrived. Kenyan mobile phone owners on the different networks will be able to send money across the different networks. This new arrangement is to start this week on the 4th of October. It is under the interoperability initiative aiming to cater to more than 70% of the population with access to mobile money.

Customers of Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom will be able to enjoy the newly integrated system which will allow them to send and receive money from different networks directly to their M-pesa, Airtel money or T-kash accounts. They will also enjoy the convenience of paying for goods and services, making withdrawals and purchasing items from their own networks. They will also not be required to withdraw the money in 7 days or otherwise risk the transaction being reverted back to the sender as has been the case previously.

Mobile owners wishing to enjoy the benefits of interoperability must, however, be registered by at least one of the mobile money platforms. Those who are not registered will keep receiving voucher codes.

This initiative is expected to enhance the customer experience by connecting all the platforms and presenting a seamless experience for customers sending or receiving money from different networks.

Kenya is among world leading mobile money economies and the advent of interoperability expected to boost use of the same even further.