This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
On December 2, 2019, Vodacom Tanzania made history by introducing the first vending machine that accepts M-Pesa payments, revolutionizing the way customers make transactions.
The innovative machine allows customers to request items and pay via QR code using M-Pesa, and once the code is scanned via the telco's App, the machine dispenses the items instantly.
According to Hisham Hendi, Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania, "We are the first to bring to Tanzania. This is the first and the only vending machine that works via M-Pesa."
This pioneering invention is a testament to Hendi's earlier promise to expand M-Pesa payment options, as he stated, "We continue to add new services to the platform to expand customers' payment options and make transacting more accessible by increasing our agent network."
With M-Pesa revenues contributing 34.4% of Vodacom Tanzania's total revenue in the first half-year, the company's focus on innovations that leverage money transfer and payments is paying off. In fact, M-Pesa contributed $78 million in the same period, a significant increase from $67.4 million in 2018 H1.
While Kenya's Safaricom had introduced an alternative payment method, M-Pesa 1Tap, in 2017, it has not gained the expected traction. In contrast, Vodacom Tanzania's M-Pesa vending machine is poised to make a lasting impact on the country's digital payment landscape.
