In 2021 Safaricom PLC and Ant Financial Services, an Alibaba Group affiliate and one of the largest fintech service providers partnered to allow Kenyans to shop on AliExpress and pay for their goods via M-Pesa.
AliExpress is an online retail service owned by Alibaba Group, a Chinese multinational conglomerate holding company specializing in e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology. The company offers a safe and secure platform for buyers and sellers. It deals in a wide range of products including fashion and jewelry, beauty, electronics, automotive parts, toys, and more. The company has a huge user base with a global reach.
Below are the steps you need to take if you want to shop on AliExpress in Kenya using your M-Pesa account. The service is available only to registered M-Pesa users. You will also need to register an account on their website.
You can shop on AliExpress by visiting their e-commerce website (www.aliexpress.com) or through their Android or iOS mobile apps.
How to shop on AliExpress in Kenya using M-Pesa
- Open the app or visit the AliExpress website
- Pick the goods you want to buy and add them to the shopping cart
- While checking out, pick M-Pesa as your method of payment
- Key in your Safaricom M-Pesa phone number and confirm the shopping details
- Enter the M-Pesa pin on your phone when prompted
- Click “pay now” to complete the payment
- You will receive a text message confirming the transaction
If the prompt from M-Pesa doesn’t come;
- Go to the Safaricom Sim Toolkit
- Select “Lipa na M-Pesa”
- Key in the AliExpress Business number 614250
- Enter the number shown on your screen as your account number
- Key in the amount you are required to pay
- Enter the M-Pesa pin and submit to complete the payment
Note: The standard Lipa Na M-Pesa charges apply
Canceling an order
You may cancel your order on your end without contacting AliExpress only if the transaction has not been verified. Otherwise, if you have a problem with the order or the payment, report your issue on the website.