Kenya has come of age and anyone looking forward to buy anything especially electronics, it has now become much easier thanks to credit options that are available for individuals who wish to acquire gadgets. The Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Industry has been steadily growing, this service allows M-PESA customers to buy commodities on credit from businesses and pay in installments via M-PESA.
Currently the leading Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products on credt e-commerce service providers in Kenya include; M-Kopa, Lipa Later, Aspire, FlexPay among others.
Best Platforms to buy and pay later in Kenya
M-Kopa
Having been established in 2010, M-KOPA initially emerged as a retailer specializing in solar-powered products, introducing the innovative “pay as you go” approach. Initially targeting households with limited access to the conventional power grid, M-KOPA Solar offered cost-effective and adaptable payment plans for solar panels. Over time, the company expanded its repertoire, delving into financing for a diverse range of products and services through collaborations with local and international partners. These offerings span from electric motorcycles and mobile devices to medical insurance and cash advances.
In a recent development, the fintech powerhouse secured an impressive $250 million in funding, earmarked for broadening its footprint into new territories and augmenting its range of financed products.
Presently, M-KOPA boasts a customer base exceeding 3 million across Africa, with an impressive deployment of over $3 billion in product and credit financing.
Lipa Later
Having amassed a network of over 500 partners nationwide, Lipa Later emerges as a prominent figure in Kenya’s Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector. In a significant milestone, the startup secured $12 million in funding just last year. Expressing their intentions, the company outlined plans to fortify its presence in existing markets such as Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, while also setting sights on expansion into new African markets.
Lipa Later offers consumers the opportunity to procure goods from a vast array of over 500 stores on credit, with the added benefit of affordable and adaptable monthly installments. Clients can access credit lines of up to KES 500,000, with repayment terms spanning 2, 3, or 6 months to suit individual preferences.
To avail of Lipa Later’s services, prospective users are required to undergo an account application process. Upon registration, individuals receive their assigned credit limit swiftly, thanks to the company’s expedited rating system. This efficient mechanism ensures that credit limits are approved within seconds, sparing customers from the hassles of protracted approval procedures.
Aspira
Aspira stands out as a significant player within Kenya’s product financing landscape, having facilitated over 1 billion in financing since its inception in 2017. Through strategic partnerships with more than 500 leading brands, the company extends financing options across a wide spectrum of products and services, spanning from furniture and electronic devices to construction materials and educational loans.
One of Aspira’s notable features is its provision of credit limits ranging from KES 10,000 to KES 500,000, all without necessitating any form of collateral or security. Furthermore, the company streamlines the borrowing process by eliminating the need for guarantors. To enhance flexibility, Aspira offers adjustable monthly repayment periods spanning from 3 to 12 months, while customers seeking furniture financing can enjoy extended repayment periods of up to 24 months.
Faraja by Safaricom and EDOMx
Introducing one of the latest entrants into the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) arena: Faraja Buy Now Pay Later, a product offered through a collaboration between Safaricom and EDOMx. This innovative service extends to M-PESA customers, enabling them to acquire goods on credit from businesses leveraging the Lipa na M-PESA platform.
Faraja empowers customers to make purchases ranging from KES 20 to KES 100,000 at zero interest, with the convenience of completing payments within a 30-day window. Notably, customers can engage in multiple transactions simultaneously, provided they remain within their designated credit thresholds.
Accessing Faraja at participating businesses is straightforward: simply dial *799# to opt-in or initiate a payment. Alternatively, users can navigate to the Faraja mini-app within the M-PESA Super App.
Businesses keen on integrating Faraja into their operations can opt-in via the Faraja portal or by reaching out to EDOMx directly. Notably, businesses utilizing Faraja receive full payment upon customer transactions through the service.
Presently, Faraja is accessible across various merchants, including all Naivas outlets, Goodlife pharmacies, and City Walk, among others, offering consumers a convenient and flexible payment solution.
FlexPay Lipia Pole Pole
Diverging from conventional Buy Now Pay Later models that front-load credit and permit installment repayments, FlexPay introduces “Lipia PolePole,” a novel approach that prioritizes flexibility, enabling customers to save at their own pace for purchases from esteemed brands. This distinctive model epitomizes a “Save Now, Pay Later” ethos.
In addition to its core offering, Lipia PolePole incorporates open goals and group savings functionalities, empowering individuals to realize their aspirations through incremental savings. This innovative service empowers customers to segment their purchases into smaller, more manageable payments, all without incurring supplementary charges.
FlexPay has forged partnerships with numerous local retailers across the country, facilitating access to its offerings. To embark on this savings journey, prospective users can easily create an account on the FlexPay platform and commence their savings towards desired objectives.
According to the company’s mission statement, FlexPay endeavors to revolutionize the financial landscape by providing an accessible, flexible, and responsible spending-oriented solution, diverging from the credit-centric paradigm of traditional Buy Now Pay Later frameworks.
SpotIt by Craft Silicon
Craft Silicon, the innovative force behind the ride-hailing application Little, recently introduced its own Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) platform named SpotIt, joining Safaricom’s Faraja in the market’s latest offerings.
SpotIt distinguishes itself from existing providers by orchestrating a tripartite engagement involving the customer, the merchant, and the bank. Partnering with merchants nationwide, SpotIt extends its reach to encompass e-commerce vendors within its platform. Eligible customers gain access to the service via a seamlessly integrated mini-app within banking applications.
The company pledges a streamlined onboarding process, eschewing lengthy sign-up procedures and cumbersome document submissions.
As retailers and numerous entities transition towards digitalization, the true potential of BNPL solutions remains to be fully realized. Nonetheless, there is a pressing need to foster and champion responsible spending habits amidst this evolving landscape.
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