Safaricom has announced a planned upgrade of its M-Pesa platform. The exercise is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, from 12:30 am to 3:30 am.
Services to Be Unavailable
During the three-hour window, all M-Pesa services will be offline. This includes:
- Sending and receiving money
- Buying airtime
- Paying bills
- Accessing savings and loans
Safaricom stated that the timing was chosen carefully to minimize disruption. Most customers are less active in the early morning hours.
Why the Upgrade Matters
The company explained that the upgrade will improve security, reliability, and performance of the mobile money service.
“For 18 years, M-Pesa has transformed lives in Kenya and beyond. To keep our promise of safe and reliable financial products, we will carry out this upgrade,” Safaricom said.
Customers Advised to Plan Ahead
Safaricom has urged users to complete important transactions before the scheduled maintenance. The company also apologized for any inconvenience caused.
M-Pesa at 18 Years
The upgrade comes as M-Pesa celebrates 18 years since its launch. The platform has grown to:
- Serve more than 70 million customers worldwide
- Operate in over 170 countries
- Support over one million businesses and agents
In Kenya, M-Pesa has been a major driver of financial inclusion. Access to financial services rose from 26.7% in 2006 to 83.7% in 2021. By 2024, the service generated more than Sh139.9 billion in revenue.
Safaricom’s Commitment
Safaricom reaffirmed its commitment to offering secure, innovative, and reliable financial services. The company thanked customers for their continued support.
Customers are reminded to plan their transactions before 12:30 am on September 22, 2025.
