Safaricom Repositions M-PESA as National Digital Infrastructure - April 2026

Safaricom is rebranding its flagship product, M-PESA, from a payment service to a foundational element of Kenya's digital financial infrastructure, aiming to foster broader economic growth. The telecom giant recently launched nesti, a mini-app within the M-PESA application designed to build a financial identity based on consistent rent payments, potentially unlocking loans for users. Additionally, a Communications Authority report ranked Safaricom first in network quality across Kenya's telecommunications industry, even as overall sector performance showed signs of decline. These developments position Safaricom as a dominant force in Kenya's digital transformation, extending beyond simple mobile payments into comprehensive financial and connectivity infrastructure.