M-PESA Africa

This week we participated in Safaricom Decode 3.0, an annual showcase held by Safaricom PLC and other partners bringing together thousands of developers to demonstrate the latest advances in technologies, capabilities around Safaricom and M-PESA, and industry trends. We showcased the M-PESA Open API platform that enables developers and businesses to build and launch solutions across 6 countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho and DRC. The API platform empowers businesses and developers to safely and conveniently accept payments, disburse business to customer funds and launch M-PESA linked solutions and applications to more than 50 million customers and 1 million merchants across the continent. Developers and other users can register to access the API at https://lnkd.in/duHApfaX

Last week, we held an event to mark this year's International Women's Day. The momentous event sought to honor the progress, resilience, and extraordinary contributions of women who shape our world, leaving indelible imprints on our hearts and our future. Our guest of honour was Charlene Kimara (MAMA BIMA KENYA), a passionate advocate for financial literacy, who led a masterclass, addressing "money shame", financial personalities, and empowering us to create our financial visions. Margaret Wandia Kioko, our Director of Human Resources, highlighted the crucial role of self-awareness in becoming a woman of influence, emphasizing the importance of excellence, resilience and self-care in navigating career and life. She pledged her commitment to furthering the M-PESA Africa's women in fintech agenda. Makena Miriti, our Head of Supply Chain and President of M-PESA Africa Women in Fintech, unveiled the Women in Fintech Calendar and painted a vivid picture of the historical journey of IWD, advocacy, and celebration since the 20th Century. She echoed the urgent need for #AccelerateAction against systemic inequalities. Nelusigwe Mwangota, Head of M-PESA Strategic Planning & Reporting at Vodacom Tanzania Plc, a passionate advocate for women empowerment, emphasized the importance of mentorship and career sponsorship in building thriving careers, aligning with the #AccelerateAction agenda for women. Samantha Padayachee, Managing Executive, Group Compliance at Vodacom Group, and Advocate of the High Court, shared empowering ways women can support each other, amplify each other’s voices, and celebrate shared successes, igniting a passion for #AccelerateAction within us all. Palesa Mphunyetsane, our Managing Director for Lesotho, delivered a powerful message on resilience, fearlessness, and tenacity, inspiring women to navigate the journey from Classroom to Boardroom and encouraging more women to step into leadership and boardroom roles. She reinforced the responsibility of women leaders to lift others as they rise. Sharon Waga, Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Expert at Safaricom PLC, spoke on a holistic lifestyle that empowers the woman, encouraging us to seek accountability partners on wellness goals, and normalize asking for help—introducing the powerful concept of #UNITASKING. Sitoyo Lopokoiyit MBS, our CEO, also graced the event reinforcing our organisational commitment to champion gender equality and creating a sanctuary where women don't just survive, but thrive. He further emphasized that purpose fuels consistency and resilience. As we move forward, M-PESA Africa remains a steadfast ally, dedicated to fostering inclusivity, supporting women in fintech and leadership, and ensuring a future that is bright—powered by the incredible contributions of women everywhere. Let's continue to #EmpowerWomen, celebrate #IWD, and embrace the spirit of #WomenInFintech and #AccelerateAction

Over the weekend, represented by Yvonne Kaoma , Boikanyo Radiokana and Kwame Gyekye, we joined hundreds of Basotho for the annual Moshoeshoe Walk, which retraces the migration of King Moshoeshoe and his people to the Thaba Bosiu mountains establishing the Basotho Nation. Our participation is part of our community support initiatives. At M-PESA, we maintain a strong connection to our communities and their culture, as we believe we can only succeed if the community around us is succeeding.

We wish all women a Happy International Women's Day, and commit to constantly seek innovations that enable you to reach higher grounds.

M-PESA turns 18! A truly remarkable story of positive purpose and people. M-PESA’s story is best told in the personal stories behind the more than 180 million transactions that happen on our platform every day. It is about someone in rural Kenya accessing a loan to start her business. It is about the fisherman in Lake Victoria receiving payment for their catch at 5 AM. It is about the Maasai herder receiving proceeds from the sale of their goats and sheep. It is that 13 year old who has newly made it into teenagehood making their first step into their saving journey by making their first deposit to their bank account through their mobile phone. It is about that daughter supporting her mother to put up their family home somewhere in Southern Kenya. It is about that farmer purchasing genetic services and solutions from the United States from the comfort of their farm here in Kenya, that young Kenyan working for a client abroad as a freelancer and getting paid through M-PESA. M-PESA is about the community coming together to contribute to a friend's hospital bill, enabling an expectant lady to get to hospital safely. It is about more than 5 million visually impaired people being able to transact financial transactions independently, without having to rely on other people for assistance. This is what M-PESA is about, enabling millions of people to better and change their lives, reducing inequalities, and empowering the society in which we live! It has always been about serving and empowering the society. M-PESA's success is when a customer makes that deliberate choice to use our service because it makes their life better. And behind every story, behind every transaction is an incredible, passionate, dedicated, and driven team that worked tirelessly to innovative, provide a supportive regulatory framework, and chase approvals to deliver solutions to customers. A long list of key people and individuals have played a big role in shaping the M-PESA journey. They go beyond staff and include as varied stakeholders from the Government of Kenya, to the Central Bank of Kenya, our partners, international development partners, agents, and many more. It is almost impossible to name all the people who have contributed to making M-PESA what it is today. Some of the heroes and heroines and the legends that made M-PESA:- Michael Joseph, Nick Hughes, Pauline Vaughan, Susie Lonnie, Betty Mwangi, Bob Colymore, Hon John Michuki, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Prof. Njuguna Ndungu, who was the Govenor at the Central Bank of Kenya when M-PESA launched, Stephen Mwaura, Dr Patrick Njoroge (former CBK Govenor), the entire MPS team in the UK, Boniface Mungania, Peter Arina, Catherine Gichunge and many more. We endeavor to keep to our DNA of ensuring we help to build a better society and stay true to our purpose of contributing positively! The future of Africa and M-PESA will keep rising!#mpesa #mpesafrica

The M-PESA Africa success story has been powered by a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem of stakeholders, ranging from technology partners to financial institutions. To our technology partners, thank you for building and maintaining a secure, scalable, and robust platform that has enabled M-PESA to process billions of transactions seamlessly. To our stakeholders; banks, financial service providers, and business partners, your collaboration and trust have been key in expanding the reach and impact of M-PESA. To our dealers and agents, you are the face of M-PESA, the connection between technology and the people it serves. Adil Khawaja MBS, MGH (MGH) - Chairman, Safaricom PLC #MPESANation

Good morning from the Michael Joseph Centre as we celebrate M-PESA turning 18! ???? From a groundbreaking idea to a global fintech leader, M-PESA has transformed lives, empowered businesses, and redefined financial services. Today, we honour the journey, the people, and the innovation that made it all possible. ?? Here’s to 18 years of progress, inclusion, and impact. Join us as we celebrate this incredible milestone. #MPESANation Dr. Peter Ndegwa C.B.S KCB Bank Group Patrick Njoroge Esther Masese Waititu Michael Eganza Adil Khawaja MBS, MGH Zizwe Awuor Vundla

From a bold idea to a global fintech revolution that has transformed our society, today we celebrate a huge milestone, M-PESA turns 18 ?? It’s been an incredible journey, one that mirrors Kenya’s own evolution and showcases the transformative power of technology. From a simple solution that helped Kenyans send money home safely, to a digital financial service that enables Kenyans to take charge of their financial journey, M-PESA has redefined how Kenyans, Africa, and the world experience mobile money. More than 34 million customers in Kenya and 51 million across eight markets in Africa choose and trust M-PESA as it continues to drive financial inclusion, offering a wide array of innovations in financial services. Our customers can now transact in over 174 countries, solidifying M-PESA’s place on the global stage. As we step into ‘adulthood,’ we celebrate the customers, partners, merchants, agents, regulators, and developers who have made this journey possible. To mark this milestone, the Safaricom PLC team will be across the country, sharing special offers, giveaways, and acts of service to say thank you as we celebrate together so look for exciting delights coming your way. #MPESANation

Celebrating 18 years of M-PESA! From a spark in 2007, M-PESA ignited a cashless revolution, transforming Kenya's economic landscape! Every transaction, every transfer, every dream realized – M-PESA has been the engine of progress, driving financial inclusion and empowering communities. Here's to many more years of innovation and growth! #MPESAat18 #MPESANation M-PESA Africa

Inspired by a purpose to Transform Lives, 18 years ago we launched a service that empowered millions to instantly send money to each other. All they needed was a phone. Today, M-PESA connects more than 50 million customers, 1 million merchants, 100,000 developers, and 680,000 agents, empowering customers and businesses to Send and Receive money and payments both in country and globally, save, access affordable credit, access government services, invest, and access insurance services. As we turn 18, we are grateful to each and everyone who has walked this journey of transforming lives with us, including our regulators and partners. To show our appreciation, we maintain our commitment to relentlessly pursue innovations and partnerships that continue to uplift our customers' livelihoods by connecting them to more opportunities around the world. Thank you!