The M‑Pesa Sokoni caravan has arrived in Nairobi for its grand finale promising to be the biggest celebration of hustle, innovation, and opportunity yet.
This follows a series of M-Pesa Sokoni caravans in other regions such as Coast, Rift Valley, Mt. Kenya, and Western Kenya, showcasing the power of digital finance to uplift everyday business.
The finale will bring together more than 150 local merchants, from street vendors and artisans to tech startups and established SMEs, all under one roof.
With a rich mix of cultural showcases, live performances, SME empowerment forums, and fun competitions, the event promises something for everyone.
Among the major attractions is the popular “M‑Pesa or the Box” challenge, where participants stand a chance to win prizes worth up to Ksh 180,000.
Shoppers will also enjoy flash discounts, giveaways, and real-time rewards just for using M‑Pesa services on-site.
Safaricom, Kenya’s giant telco, is celebrating 18 years of M-Pesa, transforming the lives of mama mbogas, boda boda riders, fashion designers, creatives, and fintech entrepreneurs.
“In Mombasa, I started with just one crate of tomatoes,” says Amina Yusuf, a trader who attended Sokoni in the coastal city.
“After learning about M‑Pesa Business Till and Fuliza ya Biashara, I’ve grown my business and now supply to three markets.”
Throughout its journey, the caravan has spotlighted the wide range of financial services available on the M‑Pesa platform, including Lipa na M‑Pesa, Fuliza, Ziidi, and Masoko, reinforcing the idea that opportunity should not be limited by location, income level, or background.
“M‑PESA Sokoni is more than a marketplace,” said a Safaricom representative.
“It’s a cultural and economic movement. It shows that whether you’re running a kiosk in Kibera or coding an app in Westlands, you have the tools to thrive.”
Safaricom CEO Dr Peter Ndegwa has urged Nairobi residents to come out in large numbers and be part of the celebrations marking 18 years of M-Pesa and the achievement of reaching 50 million customer subscriptions.
On Tuesday, Safaricom held the Safire Connect forum at Strathmore University, bringing together individuals to exchange ideas around personal branding, entrepreneurship, community opportunities, and financial wellness.
On Wednesday, the M-Pesa Foundation hosted the Wezesha Mama initiative at the Michael Joseph Centre, aiming to empower women’s groups in the region through digital and financial literacy training, as well as access to seed capital to support their business ventures.
On Thursday, Safaricom honoured the contribution of its partners through the M-Pesa Agent Awards, recognising outstanding performance and dedication among its agent network.
On Friday, the Grow with Safaricom Business Forum will be held at the Michael Joseph Centre, where small and medium-sized enterprises will receive training. This is aimed at equipping them with insights to help scale their businesses, improve operations, access markets, and overcome regulatory and branding challenges.
The telco will wrap up the week with the Safaricom Hook youth engagement and market day at Greenspan Mall on Saturday, offering young people an opportunity to network, showcase their talents, and explore digital tools.
Read: 17k to 50M: Safaricom Walks a Road Paved With Deep Connections
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