Safaricom launches M-Pesa Go for minors

Telecommunications giant Safaricom on Saturday launched M-Pesa Go, a new financial product for teens and preteens aged 10 to 17 years.

In a statement to newsrooms, Safaricom said the service seeks to empower parents and guardians to raise a financially healthy generation who are prepared for a cashless world, as well as improve digital money management and financial literacy among young Kenyans.

“It will enable users to send and receive money, buy airtime and bundles, use Lipa na M-Pesa services, and access a customized version of the M-Pesa Super App dubbed M-Pesa Go App. To safeguard users, M-Pesa Go restricts services such as withdrawing money, access to digital loans, and betting or forex payments,” read the statement.

The telco’s CEO Peter Ndegwa, speaking during the launch, said: “As M-Pesa we are committed to empowering and transforming the lives of everyone, and in M-Pesa Go, we are providing a revolutionary product designed for youngsters, but with oversight by parents or guardians. Leveraging the M-Pesa Super App, we plan to introduce a financial literacy platform that will equip children with tools for managing money.”

The M-Pesa Super App is also the gateway through which parents and guardians can guide their children’s financial journey, as it contains monitoring and tracking features, and parental control features such as setting transaction limits.

One of the Mini-Apps available on the M-Pesa Super App is Kodris Africa, the provider of Kenya’s first-ever government-approved program for teaching coding.

For 60 days, starting November 26, 2022, parent’s looking to get their children started on the coding journey can purchase an annual Kodris Africa subscription via the M-Pesa App and enjoy 50% off.