Project information

StatusFinalist
URLGo to website
CategoryEconomic Development
Business and enterprises
CountryKenya
Operational areasUrban, Rural
Target groupsYouth, Women, Men, Seniors
Wireless connectionSatellite, GSM , none
Access pointsBusiness, Home, Cafe
InteractDesktop Computer, Cellphone, Laptop, PDA, None
Software License TypesProprietary

Project location

Random images Challenge 2008

M-PESA Money transfer service

  • Brief description
  • M-PESA is a new Safaricom service allowing customers to transfer money using their mobile phone. M-PESA provides a fast safe and affordable way to transfer money by SMS anywhere in Kenya. Registration for M-PESA is free and you do not need a bank account.  
  • Vision, Objectives and Goals
  • M-PESA is the first mobile money transfer service in Kenya and is going to be the largest in Africa. M-PESA customer base is approximately at 1.31  million with nationwide agent network of 1464 Agents,  since its launch in March 2007. M-PESA aims to make money transfer safe, affordable and convenient to an ordinary person.
  • How does ICT contribute to the organisational objectives
  • In the last few years, Africa has recorded the greatest mobile telephony growth in the world. In Kenya alone, there are over 8 million mobile subscribers, yet out of 33 million Kenyans, only 3 million operate bank accounts. Mobile technology is the ICT platform through which M-PESA transactions are carried out. The dynamic changes in the economy, have led to an increasing need to transfer money. M-PESA bridges this gap using technology that makes money transfer affordable, accessible, secure, fast and convenient thus meeting the core objective of our organization.
  • Transferability
  • Mobile phone operators in other countries and ISP's can replicate the business, however, it cannot be done by a private group and according to the Kenyan regulations, currently does not require a government department in between.
  • Project summary
  • M-PESA customers are able to send and receive money as well as buying airtime for their mobile phones or for others. Soon they will be able to pay Utility bills, purchase goods and services as well as send money to other countries. Records are generated and maintained through a secure web based application that can be easily accessed by authorised users who can generate reports, monitor and initiate transactions. M-PESA service is a Short Messaging System based service which makes it even more cost effective.