Safaricom, the largest telecommunications provider in Kenya, saw growth in its money transfer platform M-Pesa as it waived fees for small transactions, in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus through in-person payments. Launched in Kenya in 2007, M-Pesa is now available in seven African countries and used for transactions worth $12 billion each month, according to Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa. In an interview with CNN, Ndegwa says, “Telecommunication businesses will make a big difference to free trade in Africa. I’m really delighted to have worked in both East Africa and also in the West, in Ghana and Nigeria — and seeing how little trade flows across between East and West, I think there’s a real opportunity to enhance that, and telecommunication companies play a big role.”
SOURCE: CNN
More Stories
Tunes from the Rose of Bamako
National Carriers Across Africa are Going Through the Same Turbulence
Zimbabwe’s Political Options Just Expanded
Protecting Forests from Developers has been a Daunting Task in Kenya
Looking to Relocate To and Live in Africa?
Storm Leaves Trail of Destruction in Mozambique
First Kenyan to Reach the Third Round of a Grand Slam in any Singles Event
Researchers are Creating Translation Tools to Recognize and Promote African Languages
Cameroon Shocked after Tragic Event at Stadium
The Man Tasked with the Preservation of African Heritage
Local Footballers Protect Ghana’s Sea Turtles
Economic Pinch Forces Sudan’s Hand