Nairobi — In a move to manage rising global payment processing costs, Uber has ceased accepting Visa card payments in Kenya. The decision, which affects only Visa cardholders, was made after a routine review of payment options across markets to minimize disruption to users.
According to an Uber spokesperson, the company regularly reviews its payment methods on a market-by-market basis to ensure costs remain reasonable while balancing any potential impact on consumer experience. This review led to the decision to stop accepting Visa card payments in Kenya. However, users can still make payments via Mastercard, American Express, M-Pesa, and cash on the platform.
Visa currently dominates Kenya’s card payments market, with a wider cardholder base and a larger ATM network than its competitors. Nevertheless, card usage in the country continues to face stiff competition from mobile money services, particularly M-Pesa. The latter remains the preferred payment option for most Kenyans due to its widespread adoption and the limited penetration of card payments.
The shift away from Visa card payments is unlikely to significantly impact Uber’s operations in Kenya, given the availability of alternative payment options. M-Pesa, in particular, is a widely used mobile money service that has gained popularity in the country. The decision may, however, prompt Visa to reassess its pricing strategy in Kenya to remain competitive in the market.
The move by Uber to stop accepting Visa card payments in Kenya highlights the increasing competition in the digital payments space. As companies seek to manage costs and optimize their payment systems, consumers can expect to see more changes in the way they make transactions. For now, Uber users in Kenya can continue to access the service using alternative payment methods, with the company committed to minimizing disruption to its users.
