Airtel Money and KCB Bank have unveiled a partnership that will enable Airtel Money customers to deposit and withdraw cash at more than 22,000 KCB agents across Kenya.
The collaboration is aimed at deepening financial inclusion as industry players push for greater interoperability within Kenya’s financial sector. It is expected to reduce barriers to financial access, improve customer experience, and strengthen the country’s digital financial ecosystem.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement, Airtel Money Kenya Managing Director Anne Kinuthia-Otieno said the partnership underscores the company’s drive to make financial services more accessible and convenient nationwide.
“By opening access to KCB’s extensive agent network, we are bringing Airtel Money services closer to more Kenyans and making it easier for customers to deposit and withdraw money wherever they are,” she said. “As Airtel Money continues to grow, partnerships such as this help us expand access to financial services while supporting the country’s financial inclusion agenda.”
KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director Annastacia Kimtai said the deal reflects the lender’s focus on innovation and collaboration in building a more inclusive financial services ecosystem.
“What we are doing is recognizing that diverse and interconnected opportunities remain core to the mobile money value proposition,” she said. “Reaching critical mass will require mobile money ecosystems to become more dynamic and productive. This move will enable mobile money services to take root, proliferate, and scale.”
Customers will need a valid national ID and a registered Airtel Money account to use the service. Deposits will be free, while standard withdrawal charges will apply.
KCB said its agency banking network continues to play a key role in enhancing customer convenience and operational efficiency. The deal comes as the bank strengthens its digital channels following the acquisition of Riverbank Solutions, boosting its social payments and enterprise resource planning capabilities. KCB said 99% of its transactions are now conducted through non-branch channels.