Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said Safaricom will broaden M‑PESA so users can save, invest and buy insurance directly from the app, aiming to democratise access to financial services.

The rollout will include the Ziidi Trader service, launched with the Nairobi Securities Exchange and Kestrel Capital, which lets customers trade listed securities from within M‑PESA.

Safaricom is also building tools for businesses of all sizes to accept payments, settle with suppliers and pay staff through a single integrated platform.

The company describes the initiative as a “one‑app” super‑app that will use artificial intelligence to personalise offers and help prevent fraud, which it currently combats with AI‑driven data layers.

M‑PESA already generates the bulk of Safaricom’s earnings, contributing KES 182.7 billion in revenue for the year to 31 March, or 45.6 % of Kenya’s service revenue.

The expansion puts Safaricom in direct competition with banks, insurers and fintech firms, though Ndegwa noted that these institutions remain both rivals and potential partners.

Financial performance and ownership dispute

Safaricom’s group service revenue rose 11.1 % to KES 414.1 billion and net income jumped 67.3 % to KES 99.7 billion, excluding hyperinflation accounting adjustments.

The company’s shareholders approved a final dividend of KES 1.15 per share, bringing the annual payout to KES 80.1 billion, a 66.7 % increase from the prior year.