Safaricom MPesa Ownership History, CEO, List of Branches, and Contacts

Safaricom MPesa ownership history dates back to 1997 when it was incorporated as a subsidiary of Telkom Kenya. The firm has since outgrown its parent company in the number of subscribers and profit margins. Economy analysts attribute the immense growth to good governance, stable network, and best-seller products such as MPesa.

The prosperous Safaricom PLC with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, ranks among the best telecommunication companies in Africa. Its profitability and scale of operation are particularly attractive.

Safaricom MPesa ownership history since 1997

Who are the owners of Safaricom PLC? The shareholding structure of Safaricom PLC comprises the government of Kenya at 35%, the South Africa-based Vodacom at 35%, Vodafone at 5%, and free float at 25%.

Safaricom with at least 40 million subscribers controls about 70 percent of the Kenyan market. The closest competitors are Zuku Kenya, Telkom Kenya, and Airtel Kenya.

Established in 1997 as a subsidiary of Telkom Kenya, Safaricom eventually upgraded to a public company in 2002 with government shares pegged at 60%.

Who owns MPesa?

While the government of Kenya and Vodacom are giant shareholders, Vodafone owns MPesa rights and its intellectual properties. However, attempts are ongoing to transfer the MPesa brand and its intellectual rights to Safaricom.

Who Invented MPesa? Safaricom PLC recognizes Nyagaka Anyona Ouko as the inventor of the MPesa launched in 2007 by former CEO Michael Joseph. Nyagaka, an alumna of JKUAT, allegedly received an unspecified reward from the telco.

Hughes vs Nyagaka

In 2012, Nyagaka allegedly presented a Certificate of Copyright affirming himself as the founder.

Conflicting information indicates that Vodafone head of social enterprises Nick Hughes pioneered the MPesa idea in 2003.

Records show that the idea of mobile transactions earned Nick Hughes a whooping Ksh. 140 million in funding within a couple of years.

The UK’s Department for International Development trusted Hughes with the capitation upon conviction that it was futuristic.

Some sources indicate that Hughes worked closely with Susie Lonie who was equally enthusiastic with Vodafone mobile commerce in Europe.

Above all, Nyagaka Anyona Ouko is credited for helping Hughes and his team with a mobile money transfer breakthrough dubbed MPesa.

Between 2013 and 2016, Safaricom introduced additional features such as M-Shwari – a mobile-based savings and loans product offered in partnership with a local bank.

In 2017, the Kenyan government recognized the significance of M-Pesa and introduced regulations to ensure the safety and stability of mobile money services.

How many countries use Safaricom?

MPesa is available in about 10 countries with Ethiopia being the latest beneficiary.

The list of countries with MPesa services is as follows;

1. Ghana
2. India
3. Egypt
4. Lesotho
5. Ethiopia
6. Tanzania
7. Afghanistan
8. Mozambique
9. Democratic Republic of Congo

The success of MPesa is now spilling to more African and Asian countries.

Safaricom PLC Branches in Kenya

How many branches does Safaricom have? There are about 55 operational Safaricom Branches in various parts of the country.

About 25 outlets are located in central Kenya, specifically in Nairobi City County.

1. Safaricom shops in Nairobi City

2. Coastal region Safaricom shops

3. Central Kenya region Safaricom shops

4. Eastern region Safaricom shops

5. Nyanza region Safaricom shops

6. Rift Valley region Safaricom shops

7. Western region Safaricom shops

8. North Eastern region Safaricom shops

Accessibility to services is key for continued growth at Safaricom PLC.

List of Safaricom CEOs

These are the Chief Executive Officers at Safaricom PLC since its founding in 1997.

Peter Ndegwa is the current CEO at Safaricom PLC. The founding CEO was Michael Joseph.

Safaricom customer care contacts

Provided below are dedicated contacts for customers seeking categorized services.

i. Customer support team

ii. Online support team

iii. Safaricom Home internet support

iv. Safaricom ethics hotline – reporting

The history of Safaricom in Kenya is one marked by immense digitization. The telco from three decades ago is thriving on “Twaweza” and “The Better Option” slogans.

sir enock

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