Airtel Money and KCB Bank have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing access to financial services and strengthening Kenya’s digital payments ecosystem.
Under the agreement, Airtel Money customers will now be able to deposit and withdraw cash through more than 22,000 KCB agents nationwide, marking a significant step towards greater interoperability within the country’s financial sector.
The collaboration is expected to advance financial inclusion by reducing barriers to accessing financial services, improving customer convenience and supporting ongoing industry efforts to create a more interconnected financial system.
Airtel Money Kenya Managing Director Anne Kinuthia-Otieno said the partnership aligns with the company’s goal of making financial services more accessible to customers across the country.
She noted that leveraging KCB’s extensive agent network would bring Airtel Money services closer to more Kenyans, allowing customers to conveniently deposit and withdraw funds regardless of their location.
“As Airtel Money continues to expand, collaborations such as this play a critical role in broadening access to financial services while contributing to Kenya’s financial inclusion agenda,” she said.
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KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director Annastacia Kimtai said the partnership underscores the bank’s commitment to using innovation and strategic collaboration to foster a more inclusive and integrated financial services landscape.
According to Kimtai, the future growth of mobile money depends on creating more dynamic and interconnected ecosystems that can support wider adoption and scalability.
She added that opening KCB’s agency banking network to Airtel Money customers will help strengthen mobile money services and accelerate the sector’s growth.
To access the service, customers must have a registered Airtel Money account and present a valid national identification document. Deposits will be processed free of charge, while standard withdrawal fees will apply.
The partnership comes as KCB continues to strengthen its digital banking capabilities. The bank recently enhanced its agency banking proposition through the acquisition of Riverbank Solutions, incorporating social payments and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) technologies into its operations.
As a result, KCB has significantly expanded its digital service offerings, with non-branch channels now accounting for 99 per cent of all customer transactions.
