M-Pesa has transformed the fortunes of many entrepreneurs in Kenya, providing financial opportunities and enabling them to improve their livelihoods. Dealers and agents have particularly benefited, with some turning small investments into thriving businesses that have supported their families and the economy.
Nancy Muthoni’s story exemplifies this transformation. In 2008, a young job seeker introduced her to the concept of becoming an M-Pesa agent. Initially a teacher, Muthoni used her savings of KSh300,000 to establish M-Pesa shops in Nairobi, Rift Valley, and Central Kenya. The business proved so lucrative that she quit teaching to focus on it full-time. Over the years, her business has enabled her to educate her children, one of whom studied abroad, and acquire property. Today, she employs hundreds of sub-agents, creating jobs for many.
Similarly, Dr. Esther Muchemi transitioned from a career in auditing to become one of the first and most successful M-Pesa dealers in Kenya. Starting with a small shop in Nairobi’s CBD, she capitalized on Safaricom’s early mobile money services, selling SIM cards and scratch cards. Despite financial constraints, she expanded her business by employing over 60 salespeople to distribute Safaricom products. Her determination and innovation led her to become a key distributor, and she eventually diversified into retail, real estate, and hospitality. Today, her Samchi Group operates across multiple sectors, demonstrating the long-term benefits of being an early M-Pesa dealer.
M-Pesa has not only created wealth for individual agents but has also played a crucial role in Kenya’s financial ecosystem. Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer, Esther Waititu, acknowledges that early dealers built a foundation of trust, making mobile money transactions accessible and reliable. With over 34 million users, M-Pesa remains a critical financial service, and agents continue to be at the heart of its success.
As digital transactions evolve, agents and dealers who adapt to new Safaricom innovations will continue to thrive. The success stories of Muthoni and Muchemi demonstrate that embracing opportunities in the mobile money sector can lead to financial empowerment and long-term business success.
