The Postal Corporation of Kenya’s newest e-payment gateway can become the primary payment in the system in the country and boost e-commerce, according to Fred Matiangi, cabinet secretary for information, communication and technology.
Matiangi spoke during the launch of the e-payment system, Posta Pesa, which can ride on the corporations expansive points of sale (PoS) and promote remote banking.
Matiangi said with more innovation, Posta can grow to achieve transaction switching and m-commerce.
“With such a robust shared infrastructure and CBK’s planned National Payment System integration, I believe Posta is best placed to be the umbrella payment gateway that will integrate all payment platforms to allow for interoperability and boost e-commerce in the region,” Matiangi said.
He added the 600 offices in the hands of the corporation will act as attractive agency service points for especially banks and “all the money will meet at Posta Pesa”.
Posta Pesa will act as a link between ATMs and point of sales (PoS) terminals, avoiding duplications of this infrastructure.
“Already my ministry has contacted the Universal Postal Union to work with a national committee that my ministry has constituted to develop a master plan that would guide the modernisation of the Kenya Post,” he added.
Also speaking at the launch was postmaster general, Enock Kinara, who added that a number of banks are already on board as well as utility providers who have been seeking for an easier way to make various products available to the market and increase revenue collection.
“CB, Credit Bank, ABC Bank and Faulu Kenya are already on board. We have also been an agent of utility companies like Kenya Power, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company and DStv among others, the switch will mean more capacity and thus more transaction commissions,” Kinara said.
Board chairman Cyrus Maina noted that innovation and increased use of ICT in the postal business process is the only way for the giant corporation to remain relevant in the dynamic market.
Posta Pesa, which is part of Posta’s corporate strategic plan, is expected enable the organisation to provide services such as agency banking, mobile money transfer, card based transactions, e-commerce, online disbursements, and e-payment of utilities and e-ticketing.
Through such projects Posta hopes it can achieve a cumulative revenue of KSh20 billion in the next three years, almost tripling its current revenue.
