M-Pesa Festival Empowers Small Businesses Across Rift Valley with Digital and Financial Tools
Esther Waitito, chief financial services officer at Safaricom, said the company is using the M-Pesa Sokoni Festival to engage business owners directly.
Safaricom Chief Financial Services Officer Esther Waitito [With a Safaricom flag]. Photo/Safaricom.
By Robert Assad
More than 18 years after M-Pesa launched, its latest financial literacy initiative is targeting small businesses across Kenya, with a focus this week on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Rift Valley.
Esther Waitito, chief financial services officer at Safaricom, said the company is using the M-Pesa Sokoni Festival to engage business owners directly.
Held in Eldoret, the capital of the Rift Region, the campaign provides training on working capital, digital marketing, and customer engagement to help businesses grow, Wednesday, July 17.
“We’re combining digital literacy with financial tools to help entrepreneurs manage, forecast and promote their businesses,” Waitito said. “The goal is to empower them to become bigger, better and more efficient contributors to the economy.”
The festival also promotes Safaricom’s “Grow” program and business super app, which allows vendors to monitor cash flow, track transactions and interact with consumers in a centralized marketplace. By integrating M-Pesa services, the app helps entrepreneurs extend their reach while simplifying operations.
Organizers said the initiative targets businesses that are already using or willing to adopt M-Pesa’s tools. Interactive booths, live demonstrations and giveaways are being used to teach business owners how to digitize operations and attract new customers.
In addition to Eldoret, Safaricom is bringing the festival to surrounding areas, including Nandi County and Nakuru, with future stops planned in Nyeri, Nanyuki and Embu. The series is part of the broader M-Pesa 18th anniversary celebration.
“We’re building not just awareness, but action. These are not just lectures,” Waitito said. “We’re rewarding customers for learning and making sure they leave with something practical they can implement.”
Safaricom said it hopes to expand the program to additional counties later this year.
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