Safaricom Unifies Mobile Services in Strategic Overhaul
Kenya’s leading telco, Safaricom, is migrating users from its standalone M-PESA and mySafaricom apps to a new unified platform called My OneApp. This move aims to consolidate over 10 million users under a single interface as the company defends its fintech dominance against increasingly competitive Kenyan banks.
The rollout began on April 3rd, with users receiving updates directing them to My OneApp—signaling a phased transition for one of Africa’s most successful mobile money platforms. While the mySafaricom app remains active for now, Safaricom has not disclosed when legacy apps will be fully retired.
Strategic Implications of Consolidation
My OneApp represents a key component of Safaricom’s FinTech 2.0 strategy, which envisions transforming the company into a broader technology platform by 2030. By merging duplicated features and services, Safaricom seeks to:
- Reduce app switching friction for users
- Create a unified environment for tracking behavior and spending patterns
- Simplify its API structure for future development
- Lay groundwork for AI-driven automation and personalized recommendations
Technical Capabilities & New Features
Built on a cloud-native architecture that can process 6,000 transactions per second, My OneApp offers:
- A single sign-on via biometric authentication
- Integration of over 80 third-party services (train bookings, health insurance)
- Machine learning-powered quick actions based on user behavior
- Direct access to new financial products like Ziidi money market fund and trader tools
The platform’s design allows Safaricom to collect valuable consumer data while providing a seamless experience—potentially increasing average revenue per user (ARPU) through higher engagement.