This archive report was first published on 25 October 2021.
October 25, 2021 - Safaricom's M-Pesa app has introduced a new feature that allows users to personalize their messages while sending money to contacts.
According to M-Pesa Africa Managing Director Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, the new feature enables users to add emojis and GIFs to their messages, improving user experience.
"The new M-Pesa app is a lifestyle super-app for Kenyans," said Lopokoiyit. "M-Pesa is there assisting users ever so silently and following on their life cycles so that whenever they need a financial transaction, it is available."
The feature also allows users to track expenditure by seeing what message they attached to what transaction, making it easier for micro-business enterprises to manage their finances.
Additionally, the app allows users to request money from another M-Pesa user, which can also be accompanied by a customised message.
"We have noted that many people have to delete their available balances when sharing messages to show proof of transaction. In the app, we have truncated that balance part so that if you are sharing the evidence, your balance does not appear," said Lopokoiyit.
The app also reduces the chances of sending money to the wrong person by displaying the name of the recipient before the sender completes the transaction.
According to Safaricom, the app currently has over 3.9 million users, with a target to upscale the number to 10 million in the next few months.
"We want to create a lifestyle around it. We want these mini-programmes to be available for all users and the app to be rolled out in all the seven countries in which we operate," said Lopokoiyit.
