Tingg-powered solution enables mobile money users to complete high-value ticket purchases
Nairobi | March 2026-Emirates has launched a first-of-its-kind split-payment solution in Kenya, expanding booking flexibility for customers through a strategic partnership with Cellulant.
The feature, powered by Cellulant’s payment gateway Tingg, is now live on the Emirates website in Kenya and is expected to roll out across additional African markets in the coming months.
Addressing Mobile Money Transaction Limits
Mobile money dominates digital payments across Africa, with over one billion registered wallets and more than 80 billion transactions annually. However, per-transaction and daily wallet limits often restrict high-value purchases such as international airline tickets.
The new split-payment capability enables customers to:
- Combine multiple payment methods, including mobile money, mobile banking and local debit or credit cards
- Make an initial online payment followed by up to four additional instalments within 24 hours
- Complete transactions without exceeding provider-imposed limits
According to Michael Muriuki, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Cellulant, the integration removes transaction ceilings as a barrier to global travel bookings for mobile-first consumers.
Enhancing Customer Experience in a Key Market
Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya, described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the airline’s customer experience across every touchpoint.
Kenya remains one of Emirates’ most dynamic African markets. The launch coincides with the introduction of a third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi from March 1, 2026, increasing capacity on a high-demand corridor.
In recent months, the airline has recorded consistently strong seat factors on its double daily services between Dubai and Nairobi, reflecting robust outbound and inbound travel demand.
Expanding Regional Financial Inclusion
Beyond Kenya, Emirates and Cellulant already collaborate across 14 African markets, including South Africa, Ghana and Zimbabwe, offering diverse payment and financing options tailored to local preferences.
In Kenya specifically, Emirates supports payments via:
- Mobile apps such as M-Pesa and Safaricom
- Mobile banking transfers through partner banks
- Card-based payments facilitated by Cellulant
The split-payment functionality builds on these options, increasing purchasing power while maintaining regulatory compliance with transaction thresholds.
Cellulant’s Pan-African Payments Infrastructure
Cellulant operates in over 24 African countries, supporting more than 200 payment methods through its single API platform, Tingg. The company processes more than 4.5 million transactions daily across sectors including travel, telecoms, e-commerce and remittances.
By integrating split payments into Emirates’ booking platform, the partnership aligns growing aviation demand with locally adapted financial solutions — ensuring accessibility keeps pace with capacity expansion.
