Nairobi Businesses Integrate Mobile Payment Systems

A growing number of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Nairobi are shifting away from cash-only transactions and integrating mobile payment systems and digital wallets into their operations. A recent survey by industry analysts showed that more than three-quarters of small firms now accept digital payments — including mobile money and card payments — rather than relying solely on cash. This shift reflects changing consumer behaviour: many customers now prefer the convenience and security of mobile money over carrying physical cash.
The adoption of mobile payments is reshaping daily commerce for many typical businesses: grocery shops, salons, tailors, chemists, small retailers and vendors around Nairobi have begun displaying signs like We accept M-Pesa at their premises — a signal to customers that mobile transactions are welcome. For many shop owners, embracing systems such as M-Pesa or other mobile wallets has become a necessity. As one grocer in Komarock recounted, she had no choice but to accept mobile money payments to retain clients who increasingly pay via their phones.
The trend is also supported by data: between 2021 and 2024, mobile money usage surged among Kenyan households and merchants, particularly for routine expenses and monthly bills. According to a 2025 analysis by a leading financial-inclusion NGO, mobile money use for monthly payments rose from roughly 49% in 2021 to about 68% by 2024 — overtaking cash for many transactions.For many SMEs, this transition has translated into increased efficiency: fewer cash-handling risks, simpler bookkeeping, faster payments, and better traceability of sales.
Business owners and industry experts alike view the shift as a positive step toward modernizing Nairobi’s informal and retail economy. Accepting digital payments helps SMEs lower security risks, expand their customer base, and tap into a population increasingly comfortable with mobile transactions. As Kenya’s digital payments infrastructure matures, it’s expected that even more businesses — including those in logistics, services, hospitality, and retail — will integrate mobile payment systems, making Nairobi’s commerce more inclusive, efficient, and resilient in the long run.