Another innovative from Safaricom and Bernsoft, I must say that this is an edge and a proper show of implementation of what we thought was only potential in Africa. Mobile operator Safaricom today launched a system that has been on its portal on a testing basis for a few months now.  Branded EasyTravelPoint, the system enables users to check availability, book and pay for tickets from their mobile phone with the service which is intergrated with Safaricom’s popular payment and money transfer system, M-Pesa.

The system developed by Bernsoft currently allows users to book flights from East Africa Safari Air, ALS and Air Kenya. You can book buses between Kenya’s main towns from Akamba and Crown Bus Services. You can also book Rift Valley Railways trains.

This comes as a series of products are being launched all over East Africa with the better connectivity opening the markets for online business. Safaricom’s M-Pesa, though weak when it comes to online transaction, has become really popular and the most favorable way to pay in Kenya.

While online business starts getting its roots in Kenya and East Africa, there is a need for banking institutions to come up with products that will promote online business or negotiate with international payment gateways to provide local businesses with a solution for payment.

All in all, this is a great step and Kenya is a step ahead, thanks to Safaricom and Bernsoft.