As part of its celebrations, Safaricom will appreciate its customers and partners across the country while marking 25 years in operation.
Safaricom’s mobile money platform, M-PESA, has now been in service for 18 years since launching in March 2007.
The service operates in over 170 countries and serves more than 70 million people.
It has expanded to over a million businesses and agents in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Ghana, and Egypt.
The platform integrates with over 55,000 systems through Daraja, which hosts more than 100,000 developers.
Capable of handling 4,000 transactions per second, it processes nearly 100 million transactions daily, making it Africa’s largest digital payment service.
This success is driven by accessibility and reliability, enabling millions to send and receive funds instantly and securely using mobile phones.
To celebrate 18 years in operation, M-PESA has launched activities nationwide to engage customers, investors, communities, tech partners, employees, regulators, and media representatives.
The initiative also reassures users of Safaricom’s commitment to a secure and reliable financial environment.
“In the past 18 years, M-PESA has changed the way millions manage money by providing accessible and affordable financial services. As smartphone adoption increases, we are evolving into a digital financial service that connects businesses and individuals to opportunities through technology,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa.
As more people transition to smartphones and broadband services, M-PESA continues shifting toward digital finance.
In 2021, M-PESA Africa introduced the M-PESA Super App, along with the M-PESA Business App, allowing businesses to operate virtual storefronts through Mini Apps.
Over the past 20 years, M-PESA has grown its services, boosting financial inclusion and supporting economic development.
In line with the 18-year milestone, Safaricom has introduced the Ziidi Investment platform, which includes the Ziidi Money Market Fund.
With over one million customers already signed up, it plans to offer Shariah-compliant investment options to support wealth growth.
Ziidi utilizes M-PESA’s convenience to provide a quick and user-friendly way to invest.
Esther Waititu, Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer, stated that the company is enhancing M-PESA to include more digital services, accelerate product development, and strengthen reliability.
“M-PESA will continue to offer easy-to-use financial solutions that integrate seamlessly with other services, giving customers greater control over their financial transactions,” she said.
M-PESA remains focused on expanding its offerings while ensuring a secure and efficient service for millions of users.
