MPESA (M-Pesa) is a mobile money service that was launched in 2007 by Safaricom, a leading telecommunications provider in Kenya. The name “M-Pesa” stands for “mobile” (M) and “pesa,” which means “money” in Swahili. It is a popular and widely used mobile payment system in Kenya and has also been adopted in other countries.
MPESA enables users to perform various financial transactions using their mobile phones, even without a traditional bank account. Users can deposit money into their MPESA accounts by visiting authorized agents, who are typically local shops or businesses. The deposited funds are stored in a virtual account linked to the user’s mobile phone number.
Once users have funds in their MPESA accounts, they can perform a range of transactions, including sending money to other MPESA users, withdrawing cash from authorized agents, paying bills, purchasing goods and services from participating merchants, and even saving money in an MPESA savings account.
To send money, users simply need to specify the recipient’s mobile phone number and the amount to be transferred. The recipient receives a notification and can then withdraw the money from an authorized agent or use it for other transactions.
MPESA has played a significant role in financial inclusion, particularly in regions where access to traditional banking services is limited. It has empowered individuals and businesses to conduct transactions easily and securely, fostering economic growth and reducing the reliance on cash-based transactions. The success of MPESA has inspired similar mobile money services in other countries, contributing to the global expansion of mobile financial services.