Carrefour has unveiled a new prepaid grocery card that allows Kenyans to set aside money exclusively for shopping, in a move aimed at helping households manage food budgets amid the rising cost of living.
The new Carrefour Prepaid Card enables customers to load a fixed amount of money for grocery purchases, ensuring funds intended for household essentials cannot be spent on other expenses. It also allows Kenyans living abroad or away from home to support their families by topping up the card using any bank card from anywhere in the world.
The retailer said the solution was developed in partnership with KCB Bank Kenya and Mastercard and is targeted at customers looking for better control over grocery spending, as well as families managing shared household budgets.
"Helping our customers shop smarter means giving them simple, predictable tools for everyday essentials," said Christophe Orcet, Regional Director – East Africa at Majid Al Futtaim Retail.
"The Carrefour Prepaid card allows customers to plan grocery spending, stay in control and manage household budgets with confidence, while retaining the ease of card payments. This is part of Carrefour Kenya's broader commitment to making everyday shopping simpler and more rewarding for our customers."
Besides allowing customers to budget their grocery spending, the card also tracks expenditure and comes with exclusive Carrefour discounts, cashback offers and reward points.
The prepaid solution is expected to appeal to parents supporting children in school, families caring for elderly relatives, and Kenyans in the diaspora who regularly send money home for household shopping.
Unlike cash transfers, the card is designed to ensure money allocated for groceries is used for that purpose. It can also be reloaded through Mastercard Gateway using any bank card issued in any country, making cross-border support easier.
KCB Bank Kenya said the product is part of a wider push to reduce reliance on cash while giving customers more control over their day-to-day spending.
"At KCB Bank Kenya, collaborations are key to delivering innovative solutions that meet our customers' evolving needs," said Jane Isiaho, Director of Retail Banking at KCB Bank Kenya.
"Through this collaboration with Mastercard, we are offering a payment solution that reduces reliance on cash. The card is easy to use, supported by 24/7 customer service, and available across all Carrefour stores, while offering features that enable better planning and day-to-day spending management."
Mastercard described the card as a practical budgeting tool for households and businesses alike.
"At Mastercard, we are committed to enabling simple, secure and inclusive payment solutions that meet people's everyday needs," said Shehryar Ali, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard.
"The Carrefour Prepaid card brings together convenience, control and value, helping customers manage their budgets more effectively while enjoying the safety and ease of digital payments."
Customers can register for the prepaid card through staff-assisted activations at Carrefour stores or via the retailer's digital channels. In addition to helping users monitor grocery spending, the card comes with introductory cashback offers and reward points for new users.
