After the successful launch of MTN’s MoMo Pay service, Airtel Uganda is introducing its own similar service that will be called AirtelMoney Pay. This upcoming service has been spotted on the current mobile money USSD menu and will reduce the dependence on cash pushing Uganda closer to a cashless economy.
It will be easy for Airtel customers to pay for goods and services at various merchants that support the service. These merchants receive payment for these goods and services using Airtel Money. This option of Airtel Money Pay has been spotted on the Airtel Money menu which can be accessed by dialing *185#.
Using AirtelMoney Pay
After buying your good or service from an AirteMoney Pay supported merchant who has a unique merchant code given to them, customers can use their phones to dial *185*9#. This will allow you to input the merchant’s code, amount and then your pin.
The most interesting bit is that customer uses the service for free and incur no extra charges associated with AirtelMoney Pay. Just like MoMo Pay, it may however not be the same case for the merchants as they are added charges depending on the status of the merchant.
This will process the payment and you will get an SMS notification to confirm the transaction. For the merchants who want to sign up for AirtelMoney Pay, will have to contact the customer care team and you will be given the steps to get started.
Who are the merchants?
These are quite many but the proper categorization we were able to come up almost include every section of the economy both formal and informal. These include; Auto-parts shop, Bars, Cinema (including the local bibanda), Clinics/Hospitals, Boutiques/Clothing shops, Kiosks/Duukas, Electronics shop/store, Hardware outlet, Market vendor, Pharmacy, Eateries (Takeaways, Icecream parlours, bakeries, cafes, roadside chicken, Rolex stands), Salon/Barbershop, Stationery shop, Supermarket, Transport (Boda-bodas, Matatu, Cab).
We are not yet certain when Airtel Uganda will launch this new service, but since its already live we expect that its possible to transact, so long as you know a place that has an Airtel Money Pay merchant number.
