Safaricom Ethiopia is celebrating a significant milestone with the official launch of M-PESA ለሁሉም (M-PESA LeHulum), a groundbreaking mobile money service that is fully telco-agnostic, allowing every Ethiopian to access digital financial services using any SIM card.
This launch marks a transformative moment in Ethiopia’s journey towards digital and financial inclusion. For the first time, M-PESA services are accessible to all users, eliminating long-standing network limitations and empowering millions to participate in the digital economy through a simple, secure, and inclusive onboarding experience.
With M-PESA ለሁሉም, users can easily download the app, register with any phone number, verify their identity through the Fayda Digital ID, and start transacting within minutes.
The platform offers essential services that individuals and businesses rely on daily, including sending and receiving money, merchant and bill payments, airtime purchases including cross-network top-ups, QR payments, Errif Be M-PESA overdraft services, and seamless wallet-to-wallet and bank transfers via ETHSwitch.
This integration with the broader financial sector facilitates greater interoperability, paving the way for a more connected, convenient, and dynamic financial ecosystem.
The launch of this telco-agnostic mobile money platform significantly reduces access barriers in a market where millions remain underserved. It supports national digital transformation goals and expands opportunities for commerce, remittances, and small business growth.
“This is not only a technological achievement but also a commitment to ensure that digital financial services are a right, not a privilege,” said spokesperson Safaricom Ethiopia.
“M-PESA LeHulum reflects our belief that inclusion drives progress, and today, we are opening the door for every Ethiopian to participate fully in the digital economy.”
A key highlight of M-PESA ለሁሉም is that the entire platform was designed, engineered, and deployed in-house by Safaricom Ethiopia’s technology teams.
This showcases local engineering excellence, a deep understanding of Ethiopia’s financial and regulatory environment, a commitment to international-standard security and compliance, and a scalable foundation for future innovation.
Future upgrades will introduce expanded merchant solutions, credit and savings innovations, tools for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and digital lifestyle services, further strengthening the role of M-PESA as a driver of national digital growth.
