In a bid to drive transformative innovations and empower businesses across Africa, M-PESA Africa, a pioneer in mobile money services, recently convened a high-level session in partnership with Microsoft and G42. The session, led by esteemed leaders including Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, Kiril Evtimov, Group CTO of G42, and Sitoyo Lopokoiyit MBS, Managing Director of M-PESA Africa, aimed to explore collaborative opportunities and leverage cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of millions of businesses and SMEs across the continent.
The strategic partnership between M-PESA Africa, Microsoft, and G42 is driven by a shared commitment to Transform Lives through innovation and digital empowerment. With over 60 million businesses, 5 million merchants and SMEs, and a thriving community of 70,000 developers on the M-PESA platform, the collaboration seeks to deliver impactful digital solutions and harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive business growth and economic inclusion.
Central to their joint mission is the objective to enable over 1 million SMEs to scale their operations rapidly and efficiently using digital tools and AI-driven insights. By providing tailored solutions and support, the partnership aims to empower SMEs to navigate the digital landscape effectively, driving economic growth and job creation across Africa.
Moreover, the collaboration emphasizes the importance of upskilling and capacity building for SMEs and developers. Through various initiatives, including learning tools, knowledge-sharing platforms, and financial literacy programs, the partnership aims to bridge the skills gap and equip entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed in the digital economy.
Beyond empowering established businesses, the partnership is committed to fostering innovation and growth within the startup ecosystem. By providing startups with enhanced access to customers, resources, and support networks, the collaboration aims to accelerate the growth trajectory of emerging ventures, driving innovation and entrepreneurship in Kenya and beyond.
