Safaricom has launched a five-year education initiative through the M-PESA Foundation aimed at transforming learning outcomes and preparing Kenyan students for a technology-driven future.
The new programme, dubbed Citizens of the Future, will focus on improving infrastructure, training teachers in ICT, and awarding scholarships to over 10,000 students in senior secondary and tertiary institutions across the country.
Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the company is investing in education as part of its broader mission to bridge existing gaps and promote innovation.
“We have developed education interventions that seek to bridge the gap through innovation and material support. Under the Citizens of the Future Program, we are consolidating our initiatives to ease access to education from early learning to technical and vocational training in an initial investment of about KES30 billion in the next five years,” said Ndegwa.
The programme will also establish “Schools of the Future,” model institutions that combine modern, sustainable infrastructure with technology and inclusivity for learners with special needs.
Kenya’s education sector continues to face challenges despite years of investment and reforms. These include inadequate funding, a shortage of teaching materials, and insufficient infrastructure to support new forms of learning.
In the financial year 2023/2024, the government allocated Ksh 628.6 billion to the education sector, representing 20.7 per cent of national revenue and 4.7 per cent of GDP. While this exceeds UNESCO’s minimum threshold of 4 per cent, it remains below the recommended 15 to 20 per cent of total public expenditure.
Nicholas Nganga, Chairman of the M-PESA Foundation, said the new initiative seeks to redefine education by embracing technology and modern teaching practices.
“We are witnesses to what quality education can do for communities and therefore owe our learners and teachers an enhanced experience. In a world that is increasingly driven by digital advancements, the traditional classroom setting is evolving into something far more dynamic. We are going beyond supplementing education to transforming it,” Nganga said.
He added that the adoption of digital tools in classrooms will not only enrich the learning experience but also equip students with the adaptability needed in today’s fast-changing world.
M-PESA Foundation Trustee Michael Joseph said the launch comes at a significant moment as Safaricom celebrates its 25th anniversary.
“This does indeed come at a defining moment, as we are celebrating 25 years of Safaricom, a journey anchored on our enduring purpose to transform lives. Our objective under Citizens of the Future is to enable every region to have a model institution that not only trains for academic excellence, but to moulds future-ready learners through digital integration,” Joseph said.
Over the years, Safaricom’s foundations have invested more than Ksh 29 billion in education, impacting over 4 million learners across Kenya. The Citizens of the Future programme builds on that legacy, reaffirming Safaricom’s commitment to transforming education and empowering the next generation of leaders.
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