Building confidence in fintech through clarity and accountable user verification.

Kenya’s booming fintech industry home to giants like M-Pesa, Flutterwave and PesaLink is facing renewed pressure to tighten security after a series of mobile money fraud cases hit the headlines this week. As regulators and fintech startups search for stronger safeguards, digital traceability is emerging as a key defence.

By incorporating GS1 standards, fintech platforms can create traceable digital identities for every transaction and registered service point. Using Global Location Numbers (GLNs) for agents, merchants and service hubs allows payment networks to pinpoint exactly where each transaction originated. Meanwhile, Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) can tag each service or financial product uniquely, ensuring full visibility across digital channels.

   

This structured traceability means fraudsters can be detected faster, while legitimate transactions move seamlessly. It also supports data-driven compliance with Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) anti-money laundering policies.

As Kenya cements its position as Africa’s fintech capital, integrating GS1 identifiers will help financial systems stay secure, auditable and globally interoperable turning traceability into trust.