Kenyans paying for goods and services online will now enjoy faster and more reliable transactions after Pesalink and pan-African payments firm Cellulant announced an expanded partnership aimed at streamlining customer-to-business payments.

The deal will see Cellulant’s Tingg platform integrated into Pesalink’s vast interbank network, linking more than 80 financial institutions, including 39 commercial banks, SACCOs, and fintechs. The move allows consumers to pay merchants directly from their bank accounts, with businesses benefitting from instant settlements and fewer reconciliation errors.

“Pesalink was built to simplify life through instant, affordable payments for everyone, everywhere, every time. Our partnership with Cellulant directly addresses recurring merchant pain points in payment reconciliation, while providing customers with a seamless experience,” said Plounne Oyunge, Chief Growth Officer at Pesalink.

Under the new system, customers can make purchases of up to KSh 999,999 per transaction, with higher daily limits, and enjoy instant confirmations before completing payments. Each transaction carries a reference number, eliminating errors and ensuring funds reach the right merchant.

Cellulant, which processes more than 4.5 million transactions daily, said the collaboration will reduce costly delays and help businesses focus on growth rather than chasing unpaid balances.

“At Cellulant, we believe that transforming how money moves transforms lives. Every time we remove friction from the movement of money, we enable businesses to grow faster, consumers to access more opportunities, and communities to thrive,” said Michael Muriuki, VP of Group Innovation and Software Engineering at Cellulant.

The partnership has already gone live with businesses in the airline and travel industries and is set for wider rollout in the coming months.

Kenya’s digital payments market is projected to hit US$9.36 billion in 2025, with mobile money accounting for over half that value. Pesalink currently processes KSh 4 billion daily, with monthly transaction volumes exceeding KSh 110 billion — a 41% year-on-year growth.

Industry experts say collaborations like the Pesalink-Cellulant deal are key to boosting interoperability, financial inclusion, and consumer trust in Kenya’s fast-evolving digital economy.