Safaricom's M-PESA 'Fintech 2.0' Upgrade Adds AI Fraud Detection Amidst Report on Surging Digital Fraud in Kenya - November 2025

Safaricom has announced a major "Fintech 2.0" upgrade for M-PESA, introducing features like tap-to-pay, wallet sharing, and AI-powered fraud detection. The upgrade also transitions M-PESA to an "always-on" service, officially ending service downtimes that were previously required for system maintenance. This significant revamp aims to enhance both convenience and security for users. The addition of AI-powered security comes as a new TransUnion report reveals a significant surge in digital fraud in Kenya. The report notes that Kenya faces a higher fraud risk compared to global averages, with methods becoming more sophisticated, including AI-driven impersonation.