Safaricom's M-PESA has teamed with Kenyan start-up tappi to digitise 650,000 business users in Kenya.

tappi is a full digital commerce SaaS solution for small and medium-sized businesses. It helps small businesses grow by connecting them with customers and establishing online credibility through user reviews.

According to a joint press release, the alliance will deliver digital solutions to help these SMEs improve their online credibility and visibility, marking the next step of tappi's rapid rise over the previous year.

Also, the agreement marks M-PESA's efforts to broaden its portfolio of services for the 650,000 registered businesses and over 50 million monthly active individual users in many African countries.

With tappi becoming one of the first mini apps to feature on M-PESA for Business, the startup will deliver a subsidised package equipping merchants to build their online presence, capture verified reviews and strengthen engagement with an expanded customer base.

Kenfield Griffith, CEO and Co-Founder of Tappi, said: “With over 35mn subscribers, M-PESA has long established itself as the engine through which millions of local entrepreneurs handle their transactions, and with many of these businesses constantly looking for new customers, our tools will be a crucial springboard in driving them to achieve this within an online setting.”

Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom’s CEO, added: "This partnership seeks to empower our merchants with affordable and innovative tools and capabilities to grow their businesses.

“We look forward to driving financial inclusion through building the capacities of small and medium sized businesses, enhancing customer experience thus contributing to the Kenyan economy.”