Safaricom’s flagship mobile financial service, M-PESA, is celebrating its 18th anniversary since its revolutionary launch in March 2007. Over the years, M-PESA has evolved from a simple money transfer service to Africa’s largest fintech platform, serving over 70 million customers across more than 170 countries.
The Evolution of M-PESA – From Money Transfers to Africa’s Fintech Giant
M-PESA’s success has been driven by its accessibility, simplicity, and reliability. With more than one million businesses and agents operating in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Ghana, and Egypt, M-PESA has grown into a comprehensive digital financial ecosystem.
Its Daraja platform, which supports over 55,000 API integrations and hosts more than 100,000 developers, continues to drive innovation. Currently, M-PESA processes close to 100 million transactions daily, with a capacity of up to 4,000 transactions per second, cementing its place as Africa’s leading financial technology solution.
M-PESA’s Role in Financial Inclusion
Since its introduction, M-PESA has been a key driver of financial inclusion in Kenya, with the latest data showing financial inclusion reaching 83.7% of adults by 2021, compared to just 26.7% in 2006. Through its services, M-PESA empowers millions of individuals to:
- Send and receive money instantly
- Pay bills and shop online
- Access savings and loans services
- Participate in global remittances and e-commerce
M-PESA’s influence extends beyond Kenya, contributing to economic growth and digital inclusion across the region.
Celebrating 18 Years – Engagements Across the Ecosystem
To mark M-PESA’s 18th anniversary, Safaricom has launched a year-long celebration campaign, aligning it with the company’s ongoing 25th birthday celebrations. The campaign will engage:
- Customers
- Investors
- Communities
- Technology partners
- Employees
- Regulators
- Media
This broad engagement aims to reassure customers and stakeholders of Safaricom’s ongoing commitment to a secure, reliable, and innovative financial ecosystem.
Dr. Peter Ndegwa: M-PESA’s Future in Digital Finance
Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa highlighted M-PESA’s continuous evolution as smartphone adoption increases across Africa. As part of M-PESA’s digital transformation, the M-PESA Super App and M-PESA Business App have enabled businesses to create virtual storefronts, sell directly to customers, and offer services through M-PESA Mini Apps.
“In the last 18 years, M-PESA has transformed the lives of millions of customers, empowering them with useful and affordable financial services. With increasing smartphone usage across the continent, we are transitioning to be a digital financial services provider connecting customers and businesses to opportunities and powering their growth through our tech-powered solutions,” said Dr. Ndegwa.
Safaricom Unveils Ziidi Investment Platform
A key highlight of M-PESA’s 18-year celebrations is yet another official launch of the Ziidi Investment platform. This product, which leverages the convenience of M-PESA, offers customers a simple, fast, and smart way to invest.
Safaricom says Ziidi Money Market Fund has already attracted over one million opt-ins, underscoring the growing appetite for accessible investment solutions. Safaricom also announced plans to introduce Shariah-compliant investment options, further broadening the platform’s appeal.
Esther Waititu: The Next Phase of M-PESA
Esther Waititu, Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer, emphasized that M-PESA’s future lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate with other services, ensuring customers have access to a comprehensive suite of financial tools.
“M-PESA’s future success will be based on its ease of use, and its seamless integration with other services and products to give customers a comprehensive suite of financial services at their fingertips. M-PESA represents the future of mobile financial services across the continent,” said Waititu.
M-PESA’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
As M-PESA embarks on this next chapter, its legacy of transforming lives and driving financial inclusion remains central to its mission. From mobile money transfers to investments, insurance, and global payments, M-PESA continues to shape the future of digital finance in Africa.
The year-long celebrations will also see Safaricom recognizing and rewarding customers and partners, highlighting their role in M-PESA’s success story.
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