Safaricom is the biggest telco in Kenya and they’ve managed to retain that position for many years now by offering customers innovative products and services. One such product is the Bonga Points reward scheme. Under this program, customers of Safaricom can earn points by using the company’s products and services, such as making calls, sending SMS messages, or using data.
These points can then be redeemed for various rewards, such as discounts on products and services, access to exclusive events, or donations to charitable causes. Bonga points can also be used to purchase goods and services directly through the points online store or at participating retailers.
Over the years, customers have been accumulating their points and without proper incentive to spend these points, the telco says that Safaricom Bonga points have an unclaimed liability of around Sh4.5 billion.
Read More:
- Safaricom 5G Network Is Officially Live In Kenya: All You Need to Know
- How to Open an M-Pesa GO Junior Account for Your Child
- How to access the Hustler Fund via M-PESA App
In a bid to get ahead of this increased liability, Safaricom has announced a move that is bound to piss off many subscribers. The listed telco has told subscribers that all unredeemed points will now be expiring after three years, meaning that those accumulated before December 31, 2019, will expire effective January 1, 2023.
This move is meant to nudge Safaricom subscribers and encourage redemption and unlock the underlying revenue. Understandably, there has been pushback on this move and recently, we saw reports that MPs are set to open a probe on data expiry, Safaricom Bonga points.
How to Spend your soon-to-expire Bonga points
This is pretty simple. You can redeem your Bonga Points by dialing *126#. This USSD code gives you access to various functions including checking your Bonga Points balance. You can also transfer your points to someone else so maybe consolidate all your points as a family to see what good you can do.
That said, what are some of the constructive ways to spend your Points? Well, there is a number but here is a quick list.
- Cytonn Money Market Fund (CMMF) has made it possible for you to invest with them using your Bonga Points.
- Safaricom subscribers can also purchase LG Appliances Using Bonga Points.
- You can also buy NSE shares using these points
- Purchase a device from Masoko.
Deadline
As mentioned, all points accrued before December 31, 2019, will expire on January 1, 2023. Thereafter, points are only valid for 3 years and unspent, unredeemed points will be forfeited and will expire.
