Digital payment advancements reported in Kenya and Algeria

Safaricom and Pesapal have announced new M-PESA payment features in Kenya designed to streamline transactions for merchants and customers. The partnership introduces Dynamic Scan-to-Pay via QR codes on Pesapal terminals and Tap-to-Pay functionality for NFC-compatible smartphones. Additionally, Safaricom is integrating AI Pay into its My OneApp, allowing users to populate Till or PayBill information directly from receipts.

In Algeria, electronic payment infrastructure has seen significant growth through August 2026. According to GIE Monétique, the number of payment cards in circulation reached approximately 23 million, an 8% increase since December 2025. Algérie Poste holds the majority with 19 million Edahabia cards, while interbank CIB cards account for over 4 million.

The number of electronic payment terminals (TPE) in Algeria rose from 78,000 in late 2025 to 126,000 by August 2026, contributing to a 165% increase in transaction volume via these devices. Furthermore, the number of active e-commerce merchants grew by 68%, reaching 1,034, with services spanning ticketing, utility payments, and insurance.