Safaricom launches M-PESA Go service for kids

This past weekend Safaricom launched M-PESA Go, a new financial product for teens and preteens aged 10 to 17 years. The service seeks to empower parents and guardians to raise a financially healthy generation who are prepared for a cashless world.

The new service aims to 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.

To sign up for M-PESA Go, parents and guardians can self-onboard an already registered SIM card via this link or visit any Safaricom outlet. They will be required to have an active SIM card registered on M-PESA, a valid identification document as well as the child’s birth certificate.

Once registered, the juniors can download and do more with the M-PESA Go App, a customized version of the M-PESA Super App. 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 26^th November 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.