M-PESA Celebrates 18 Years of Financial Innovation, Officially Unveils Investment Product

M-PESA, Africa’s leading mobile financial service by Safaricom (NSE: SCOM), marks 18 years since its groundbreaking launch in March 2007. What started as a simple money transfer service has evolved into a comprehensive digital financial ecosystem, serving over 70 million customers across 170+ countries and empowering over 1 million businesses and agents in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, DRC, Lesotho, Ghana, and Egypt.

M-PESA’s Daraja platform now integrates with 55,000+ businesses, hosts a developer community of over 100,000, and processes nearly 100 million transactions daily—solidifying its position as Africa’s largest fintech solution. With a 4,000 transactions-per-second capacity, M-PESA continues to be the go-to platform for instant, secure, and reliable financial transactions.

A Year of Celebration: Engaging Stakeholders Across the Ecosystem

To commemorate 18 years of financial empowerment, M-PESA has rolled out a year-long engagement campaign that brings together:
✅ Customers – Celebrating their trust in M-PESA’s secure and convenient financial services.
✅ Investors – Reinforcing M-PESA’s role in Africa’s financial landscape.
✅ Communities – Strengthening financial inclusion through innovative digital services.
✅ Technology Partners & Developers – Enhancing integrations and solutions for businesses.
✅ Employees & Regulators – Ensuring continuous innovation in mobile financial services.
✅ The Media – Amplifying the story of M-PESA’s impact.

M-PESA’s Digital Evolution: Beyond Mobile Money

The shift to smartphones, 3G, and 4G broadband has fueled M-PESA’s transition from a mobile money transfer service to an end-to-end digital financial platform.
✅ M-PESA Super App (2021) – A one-stop hub offering seamless digital financial services.
✅ M-PESA Business App – A game-changer for businesses, enabling them to operate virtual storefronts via M-PESA Mini Apps.
✅ Digital & Green Finance – Driving financial inclusion and economic growth while integrating sustainability into financial services.

Introducing Ziidi: A Smarter Way to Invest

As part of its 18-year celebrations, Safaricom has launched Ziidi Investment Platform, which includes the Ziidi Money Market Fund. With over one million opt-ins, the platform makes investing simpler, faster, and smarter.

✅ Shariah-Compliant Investment Options – Catering to diverse customer needs.
✅ Seamless M-PESA Integration – Making wealth growth effortless.
✅ Inclusive Financial Growth – Democratizing access to investment opportunities.

The Road Ahead: Shaping Africa’s Digital Finance Future

With its commitment to innovation, security, and financial inclusion, M-PESA is set to launch more digital financial solutions to support individuals and businesses across Africa and beyond.

About Safaricom

Safaricom is East Africa’s leading telecommunications company, connecting over 45.9 million customers through 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks covering 99% of Kenya’s population. Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Safaricom reported revenues of KES 335.4 billion as of March 2024.

Key Milestones

✅ World’s largest mobile payment system – M-PESA, Africa’s largest fintech.
✅ Driving financial inclusion – From 26.7% in 2006 to 83.7% in 2021.
✅ KES 139.9 billion in M-PESA revenue (FY24) – A catalyst for economic growth.
✅ 1.1 million jobs supported – Directly and indirectly.
✅ Sustainability Focus – Committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.
✅ Diversity & Inclusion – Targeting 50:50 gender parity in senior management by 2025.

As M-PESA continues to innovate and expand, it remains Africa’s leader in financial transformation, shaping the future of digital payments, wealth creation, and inclusive economic development.