M-PESA Safaricom launches cashless fuel payments in Ethiopia
Date: 2025-05-07
M-PESA Safaricom has introduced a transformative digital payment solution, enabling Ethiopian motorists to purchase fuel seamlessly via mobile phones. The "Pay for Fuel with M-PESA" service debuted today at Bole Total Fuel Station in Addis Ababa, marking a significant leap toward cashless transactions in Ethiopia's transportation sector.
M-PESA CEO Elsa Muzzolini
M-PESA CEO Elsa
Muzzolini highlighted the service's dual benefits of convenience and security: "This
innovation eliminates cash handling delays, giving customers back precious time
while ensuring transaction safety. From taxi drivers to logistics companies,
this solution is designed for all Ethiopians on the move." She
credited the Ministry of Transport and Logistics for cultivating policies that
enable such fintech advancements.
The system
operates through USSD (*733#), requiring only fuel amount input and PIN
confirmation. Fuel stations gain real-time transaction tracking through a
dedicated aggregator platform that distinguishes between individual (Wallet)
and corporate (Barrel) payments.
This launch
initiates M-PESA Safaricom's nationwide rollout targeting all 2,000 Ethiopian
fuel stations, accelerating the country's digital economy agenda. The service
builds on Ethiopia's rapid mobile money adoption since M-PESA's 2023 market
entry.
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
