Google Play has added Airtel Money as a Supported Payment Method for Customers in Kenya

Google Play has added Airtel Money as a supported payment method to its users in Kenya. Google Play made it possible via partnership with dLocal, one of the world’s leading cross-border payment platforms connecting business globally to emerging markets in Africa and Asia. With Airtel Money integrated into Google Play Kenyans can now purchase apps and other digital content without having a credit card or a traditional bank account.

This partnership is part of Google’s bigger drive to make digital payments accessible for more people in Kenya. By offering Airtel Money as a pay option, dLocal is supporting Google in providing a localized solution that works best for more people. As a result anyone with an Airtel Money account can now purchase on Google Play: Airtel Money in Kenya without any hassles.

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Airtel Money is the second largest mobile money service in Kenya and it’s been seeing rapid growth. According to most recent figures released by the Communication Authority of Kenya, Airtel Money increased its market share from 7. 6% to 8. 9% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and that comes to around 3. 76 million users out of Kenya’s total 42. 3 million mobile money subscribers. The best thing about Airtel Money is that it has interoperable features – they allow for interoperability with services such as M-PESA.

Airtel Money’s integration into Google Play further strengthens its position as a trusted payment option for millions of Kenyans. Airtel Money has proven itself a key enabler in enabling financial inclusion in Kenya where we currently have one of the highest mobile money penetration rates in the world. With over 31.5 million mobile money accounts and nearly 80 per cent of the adult population having mobile money accounts, Airtel is a key enabler of financial inclusion not only in Kenya, but across Africa as well.

dLocal’s role in this partnership is crucial as it continues to make payments easier for businesses in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The ability to accept payments, send payouts and settle money is achieved through the “One dLocal” model – businesses don’t need to maintain multiple local partners across the globe to serve their customers. Businesses can also expand into the emerging markets where consumers are seeking out locally tailored payment solutions.

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Google Play working together with both dLocal and Airtel Money shows the commitment to address the importance of financial inclusion and empowerment for users in emerging markets. Enabling the use of adaptable payment solutions helps to encourage more people to participate in digital platforms like Google Play; this is particularly important in Kenya, where mobile money services have revolutionised the way financial transactions are conducted and are becoming an integral part of our lives.

The inclusion of Airtel Money as a payment method on Google Play in Kenya is a significant step forward in improving digital accessibility and financial inclusion, affirming the importance of mobile money services within Kenya and it emphasises the key role of partnerships such as this in closing the gap between technology and the financial services landscape. As digital payments continue to evolve, collaborations such as these will play a key role in ensuring more people can become part of the digital economy.

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