Taxi hailing app Uber could integrate mobile money services into its system especially in Africa following its experience in the first few days it began operations in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi.
Uber’s model is based on the provision of an entirely cashless service that mainly targets credit card holders, which is a major challenge in several countries in Africa where there are low penetration rates of cardholders, thus limiting Uber uptake
UK’s PC Advisor reported that when Uber launched in Kenya, online users voiced dissatisfaction with the inability to use M-Pesa. Kenya’s public transport system has a cashless system that uses M-Pesa.
“We can confirm that we are exploring the possibility of integrating the M-Pesa service in our system, but we don’t yet have expected time when this is likely to roll out,” said Alastair Curtis, a manager of international launches for Uber.
“Uber is the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to consumer safety and this is all because of the technological innovation in the app,” Curtis said.
According to him, to improve security, Uber says the drivers go through rigorous criminal background checks, and it provides customers with driver information, a live GPS-enabled map that can be tracked by friends and family, rider feedback and driver safety by ensuring the service is cashless.
Apart from providing reliable and affordable services, Uber is promising to provide employment to young people in the seven cities.
“Uber’s lead generation software facilitates a powerful entrepreneurship opportunity; every month going forward, Uber’s mission is to empower many young entrepreneurs to become small-business owners,” Curtis added
