GRACEKENNEDY Money Services (GKMS), through its Bill Express brand, has rolled out a new payment feature that allows customers to pay bills directly through WhatsApp, giving users access to the platform from anywhere in the world.

The company said the move responds to rising demand for convenient digital channels and forms part of its broader push to modernise how customers manage their financial obligations.

“As Jamaica’s most widely used instant messaging platform WhatsApp gives GKMS a powerful way to meet consumers where they are,” the company told the Jamaica Observer in an emailed response to queries on the new development.

The service, called Whatsapp Pay, gives users access through a designated number.

“The simple WhatsApp Pay responses will guide you through each easy step to complete your payment. Remember, your Bill express WhatsApp payments are fast, secure and private,” the company said in a social media ad.

The feature carries a $55 transaction fee, which is lower than the in-store rate, giving customers a cheaper option to pay bills and top up mobile credit without visiting a location.

Since its launch GKMS said early response has been encouraging, with steady growth in transaction volumes and queries. The company expects usage to increase as more people learn about the service, particularly among younger, mobile-first users who prefer digital interactions.

WhatsApp Pay also positions Bill Express to capture a wider Diaspora market — a segment the company believes will increasingly rely on mobile-based solutions to manage payments back home. GKMS said the service is accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection and supports both local and overseas debit or credit cards.

“The feedback from users has affirmed our belief that WhatsApp Pay meets a real need in the market, and we’re excited about what lies ahead for the service,” the company told the Business Observer.

Security has also been central to the roll-out. The company said the platform uses encryption, multi-factor authentication, and real time monitoring to protect customer data, and that the system complies with local and international standards for cross-border transactions.

The company said the technology was developed through collaboration between GraceKennedy’s internal team and an external provider. It added that the partnership combined its understanding of the local market with the technical expertise needed to build a user-friendly solution.

Although the company declined to share transaction figures, it said WhatsApp Pay is part of a wider digital transformation plan aimed at deepening customer engagement rather than chasing short-term profits.

“WhatsApp Pay was launched as a strategic digital initiative, designed first and foremost to deliver innovation and convenience to our customers. We anticipate positive outcomes as adoption grows but the main objective is to expand access and strengthen our position in customer-focused digital payments,” GKMS said.