This archive report was first published on 14 January 2020.
On January 14, 2020, Safaricom made a significant move in the Kenyan market by partnering with M-Gas to launch a prepaid cooking gas service. This innovative move aims to improve access to cooking gas, particularly for low-income communities.
The partnership utilizes Safaricom's Narrow Band (NB) IoT network to deliver a smart meter that monitors payments and usage of the gas. Each complete setup includes a filled gas cylinder and a two-burner gas cooker, provided at no upfront cost to the consumer.
However, the consumer can only use the gas after making payments through the MPesa platform. Once payments are made, the smart meter shows the amount paid, and the consumer can begin using the gas. When the payment is used up, the smart meter automatically disconnects the gas until further payment is made.
Additionally, if the cooking gas is depleted, the smart meter sends an alert to a distributor, who will refill the cylinder at no new cost. This prepaid cooking gas venture comes at a critical time when new regulations governing the retailing of LPG have been reinforced, leading to many retailers closing businesses and leaving consumers in turmoil.
