Emirates Introduces Split — Payment Solution in Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya — Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has launched a novel split-payment solution for passengers in Kenya, in collaboration with Cellulant, Africa’s leading payments technology company. This innovative payment method, powered by Cellulant’s payment gateway Tingg, is set to enhance financial flexibility for customers and is expected to expand to other African markets in the near future.
The split — payment feature, accessible via Emirates’website, allows customers to combine various payment methods, including mobile money, mobile banking, and local credit and debit cards. This capability also enables customers to make an initial payment online, followed by up to four additional instalments within a 24-hour period, thereby increasing purchasing power and making airfares more accessible to mobile-first customers. Michael Muriuki, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Cellulant, emphasized the importance of this convenience, stating, “With hundreds of millions of Africans relying on mobile money as their preferred payment method, extending this convenience to global travel payments is essential.
Officials commented on the matter. “
The introduction of the split — payment solution comes as Emirates adds a third daily flight on the Dubai–Nairobi route from March 1, 2026, aiming to meet the growing demand for air travel between Kenya and global destinations. Emirates has been facilitating various financing options in Kenya, including payments through mobile apps like M-Pesa and Safaricom, as well as mobile banking transfers via partner banks.
The airline also offers a range of finance options in South Africa, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. By offering the split-payment feature, Emirates addresses the challenge of high-value purchases, such as international airline tickets, being hindered by transaction limits on mobile wallets. This solution allows customers to complete ticket bookings while staying within provider-imposed limits.
Customers interested in booking tickets with the split payment option can visit the Emirates website.
The airline’s commitment to innovation and customer convenience continues to be a cornerstone of its operations, as it seeks to connect passengers and facilitate global trade through its modern hub in Dubai.
