M-PESA to launch new privacy feature by end of March

Safaricom’s mobile money platform, M-PESA, will introduce a new privacy feature by the end of March, aimed at protecting users’ personal information during transactions.

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the update responds to customer concerns about privacy and trust.

The Safaricom CEO said the new enhancement will limit the details recipients see when receiving money.

“We have listened to customer concerns about privacy and are introducing a new enhancement that minimises the personal information shared while conducting Send Money transactions on M-Pesa. With this update, recipients will see limited details of the sender, helping to protect their privacy while ensuring transactions are completed seamlessly,” he said.

Recipients will only see minimal information about the sender, ensuring that transactions remain seamless while safeguarding privacy.

The sender will receive a prompt to approve sharing their information. If accepted, the recipient will get the sender’s full name and mobile number via SMS.

If declined or if there is no response within two hours, the request will not go through.

“If the recipient needs the sender’s full details, they can request them within 24 hours of the transaction. The sender will receive a prompt asking whether they approve of sharing their full details. If accepted, the recipient will receive the sender’s full name and mobile number via SMS. If declined, or if there is no response within two hours, the request will not go through.”

Ndegwa said the feature will first be rolled out by the end of this month, with plans to extend it across the entire M-PESA ecosystem in phases to ensure the platform remains safe and secure for all users.

“We remain committed to building a safer, more trusted digital financial system that continues to meet all our customers’ needs,” he added.

M-PESA has been at the forefront of digital financial services in Kenya, providing millions with convenient, secure ways to transfer money, pay bills, and access financial services since its launch in 2007.

The new privacy feature marks the latest effort to enhance user protection as the platform approaches two decades of operation.

M-Pesa has reached 40 million monthly active users in Kenya, marking a major milestone as the service celebrates 19 years since its launch.

What began as a simple person-to-person money transfer service has evolved into a comprehensive digital financial ecosystem embedded in the daily lives of millions of Kenyans.

In a statement marking the anniversary, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the platform’s evolution reflects the company’s broader mission to empower individuals and businesses through accessible digital financial tools.

“Our goal is to give Kenyans and Africa at large digital financial tools to empower them to be more prosperous. Reaching 40 million monthly active customers in Kenya is a milestone we celebrate as we recommit to enable every Kenyan to transact safely, grow their savings, and build their wealth,” Ndegwa said.

“To us, every M-Pesa transaction tells a story of someone building their future.”

From money transfers to a full financial ecosystem, over nearly two decades, M-Pesa has transformed from a payments platform into a diversified financial services hub offering credit, savings, investment, and merchant payment solutions.