By Swaleh
M-PESA, Safaricom’s mobile money platform, has reached a remarkable milestone, surpassing 34 million subscribers in Kenya as of November 2024. Celebrating its 18th anniversary in March 2025, M-PESA has grown from a basic transaction tool to a comprehensive financial ecosystem that includes credit, savings, investments, wealth management, and insurance services. This evolution has made it a cornerstone of financial inclusion and economic growth in Kenya.
With a network of over 300,000 agents, M-PESA ensures even the most remote areas have access to financial services. The platform supports more than 1.5 million enterprises, from micro to large-scale businesses, by facilitating merchant payments. Safaricom’s acquisition of an insurance intermediary license has further expanded M-PESA’s capabilities, offering customers access to tailored insurance products.
Recent innovations, such as the launch of M-PESA Ratiba—a standing order solution for automated payments—have driven rapid adoption, with over 1 million users and 260,000 transactions recorded in just one month. Additionally, the Daraja platform provides secure API integrations, enabling businesses to connect seamlessly with M-PESA, fostering a developer community of over 90,000 and supporting more than 40,000 integrations.
Dr. Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom’s CEO, hailed this achievement as a testament to customer trust and the company’s commitment to delivering secure, innovative, and accessible financial services. He reaffirmed Safaricom’s dedication to advancing financial inclusion and transforming lives.
As part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations, Safaricom’s “Sambaza Furaha na Safaricom Caravan” is touring various regions in Kenya, addressing customer concerns and spreading festive cheer. These initiatives, combined with continuous innovation, underline M-PESA’s critical role in shaping Kenya’s financial landscape.
