Launch Of BebaPay by Google & Equity Bank + Press Release

Tech giant Google has teamed up with East Africa's largest bank, Equity Bank to launch BebaPay, a payment card that seeks to make it convenient and easier to pay for bus travel in Kenya.

The NFC-enabled electronic payment card is expected to revolutionize the Kenyan public transport.  NFC standing for Near Field Communication technology, means payment can take place offline even when there is no power or network connectivity.

The launch is a form of re-branding since in May 2012 the card was introduced in Nairobi and was available for free from beba agents. 

Below is the Press Release

Nairobi, 30th May 2013: Equity and Google today announced BebaPay, Kenya’s newest cashless innovation to make payments easy and more convenient for consumers and merchants. With BebaPay, bus passengers can sign up for a card and top up for free at Equity agents. Customers can also top up their cards via mobile money. BebaPay helps to overcome the problem of using cash and receiving the correct change when paying for public transport on the bus or "matatu".  BebaPay is the first payments system of its kind for Kenya.

Helb's Swipe Card to Curb Wastage Among Varsity Students

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is set to launch a smart card that will curb misuse of funds among varsity students.

Speaking on Thursday morning during a meeting organized by the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), HELB Chief Executive Officer Charles Ringera said that the Board had plans underway to load loans on smart cards to tame the flippant expenditure by students.