Safaricom has achieved the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard [PCI DSS] Certification, a global benchmark for businesses handling card transactions, awarded by the PCI Security Standard Council. This milestone supports Safaricom’s transformation from a telecommunications company to a technology-focused entity by 2025. The certification positions Safaricom as a global payment facilitator for major partners such as Google, Uber, and Microsoft.
According to Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO, the certification underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and security in the digital landscape, particularly in safeguarding customers’ financial transactions through M-PESA. The approval enables Safaricom to offer solutions like tap-to-pay, facilitating online and in-person card payments for merchants. Fintechs and financial institutions can leverage Safaricom’s card processing capabilities for comprehensive mobile and card payment solutions.
Safaricom’s PCI DSS Certification not only allows the company to create a regional payment switch system in Africa but also places it among a select few institutions with the capability to protect customer, merchant, and partner payment data. The certification opens avenues for enhancing API capability on the M-PESA platform, enabling developers to provide innovative and secure services while expanding the range of mobile money and payment solutions.
Peter Ndegwa reassures customers that their data is safeguarded at all times, emphasizing the significance of the certification in providing partners with access to secure solutions. PCI DSS is a globally recognized standard that ensures a robust framework for protecting sensitive customer information during transactions, guarding against data breaches, fraud, and unauthorized access.
