Vending machines used to be simple coin-operated snack boxes but have since evolved into intelligent and automated points of sale. Beyond convenience, modern vending machines deliver a seamless, frictionless shopping experience that fits well within Kenya’s thriving mobile money economy.

With Mobile Money payments such as M-PESA, vending machines can operate completely unmanned without the risks associated with handling physical cash.

Vending machines allow for remote management. Operators can monitor stock levels in real time, track the performance of each machine, and quickly identify “hero products” across different locations. This data-driven approach helps reduce stockouts, optimize restocking schedules, and improve operational efficiency.

Reports, including sales reports, are very rich in that they capture the time, location, and type of product bought, allowing vending machine owners to stock intelligently as the demand characteristics are well defined.

Find the YouTube video demonstrating a typical vending machine set up in Kenya below.