To mark its 18th anniversary, M-PESA has embarked on a series of activities across Kenya aimed at engaging customers, investors, communities, technology partners, employees, regulators and the media.

One such initiative is the Ziidi Investment platform with Ziidi Money Market Fund, which now boasts more than one million opt-ins and is set to introduce Shariah-compliant investments with the aim to grow customers’ wealth. Ziidi leverages the convenience of M-PESA to give customers a simple, faster and smarter way to invest and grow wealth.

Peter Ndegwa
CEO of Safaricom

“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.”

Previous slide
Next slide

M-PESA is the world’s first mobile money transfer system and Africa’s largest fintech

Since its launch in 2007, financial inclusion in Kenya increased to 84.8% in 2024 from 26% in 2006.

Exploring new frontiers

As we celebrate the first 18 years of M-PESA, the future of this innovative platform remains bright.

M-MAZING!

M-PESA’s growth since launching in 2007 has been tremendous. Here are a few fascinating facts about M-PESA you may not have known: 

1. It was marketed simply as a way to send money home

The simplicity of the message was key to M-PESA’s success, as before many people would send money home physically as a parcel on a bus or with a neighbour.

2. Lipa na M-PESA (Pay with M-PESA)

In 2010, Safaricom partnered with several leading supermarkets to enable customers to pay for their goods via M-PESA.

3. No more queues

From 2009, customers were able to pay for electricity to Kenya Power. The platform now includes other utility payments services, such as internet and TV subscriptions, water bills, fuel, public transport, and more.

4. Unmatched versatility

Over the years, M-PESA has grown from money-sending, to a platform for paying bills, purchasing airtime, borrowing money, saving money on a virtual account (M-Shwari), using M-PESA as a virtual Visa card to make online payments, setting up recurring standing order payments and using the Fuliza overdraft service.

5. Everyone can access M-PESA

In 2018, Safaricom partnered with Dot Incorporation to launch the DOT braille watch, which displays SMS notifications in braille, enabling visually impaired people to manage their money on M-PESA. Hearing-impaired customers can access M-PESA through an Interactive Voice Response platform.

Click here to see the full timeline of M-PESA innovations and breakthroughs.