Airtel wins case against Safaricom to open up M-Pesa

The CAK has also prohibited the mobile operator from levying extra charges on competitors using its network.

This brings to an end a long battle between Airtel and Safaricom over exclusivity of the service, which barred M-Pesa agents from engaging in business with other mobile operators.

In a letter signed by the CAK, and sent to Safaricom and Airtel on Friday July 25, Safaricom was ordered to effect the directive before 18 July.

"All restrictive clauses in the agreements between Safaricom and mobile money transfer (M-Pesa agents) be immediately expunged but in any event not later than 18 July 2014," the letter states.

The CAK in its ruling also declared that Safaricom's oversight shall be limited to its business with the agents. Each mobile money service provider shall also be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Central Bank of Kenya regulations.

"We did not rule on the interoperability and the cost of transactions because it is an issue that needs the input of both the Central Bank of Kenya and the Communications authority," CAK director-general Wang'ombe Kariuki said.

Article published courtesy of HumanIPO.