How Airtel Money is shaping livelihoods through job creation
Over the last few months of 2025, Kenya has witnessed a significant rise in daily mobile money usage as more people rely on digital transactions for convenience, safety, and speed. With populations growing around urban centers and communities increasingly embracing small volume trade, the demand for mobile money services has surged. This shift has opened new opportunities for enterprising Kenyans, especially Airtel Money agents who are now benefiting from higher footfall, increased commissions, and a steady stream of customers. Rosemary Wahu is one of them.
Rosemary is a wholesaler based in Zimmerman, Roysambu in Nairobi’s Kasarani sub-county. She runs a shop that supplies a variety of wholesale household and day-to-day items. Just like other businesses, she also struggled to keep her business alive in the midst of the challenging economic times until she became an Airtel Money Agent. This new venture has so far brought relief to her as an agent benefiting from the commissions earned from cash-in and cash-out transactions for Airtel Money, airtime, bundle purchases, and new customer registrations.
Airtel Money Kenya, as the second largest mobile operator in the country, is driving significant change by providing mobile money agents with the chance to earn commissions through a variety of transactions. Agents are rewarded with a percentage commission for every cash-in transaction they process, while also earning a flat commission depending on the cash-out amount handled. In addition to these core earnings, agents can increase their income through special promotions, such as receiving commissions for airtime sales made to customers. Furthermore, Airtel Money’s range of services, including agent banking, offers agents additional avenues to expand their income streams and strengthen their role within the local economy.
By virtue of Rosemary being an Airtel Money agent and her shop being strategically located next to a bus stop, this is a boost to her business, as more customers can easily access her shop, which in turn has led to the growth of her business. For residents and retailers within the community, Rosemary has turned out to be more than just a supplier, but a dependable partner for their day-to-day shopping.
Through the Airtel Money platform, customers can send and receive money, pay bills, purchase airtime, and make everyday transactions conveniently and securely from their mobile phones. Airtel Money is currently rewarding customers with airtime through its “Rudishiwa 100 per cent transaction fee” when you withdraw any amount through the Airtel Money agent or when you pay bills via buy goods or paybill when one is subscribed to the Smarta monthly bundle. The service connects users to banks, merchants, and agents, making financial services more accessible and affordable.
By offering these seamless services, Airtel Money Kenya is not only supporting customers in simplifying their daily transactions but is also creating a reliable income stream for mobile money agents like Rosemary, proving that mobile money is more than just a service; it is an empowerment tool for small businesses and the communities they serve.