Safaricom’s M-PESA network handled KSh41.68 trillion in transactions during FY2026

Safaricom’s M-PESA merchant network reached 3.13 million businesses in the financial year ended 31 March 2026, as the mobile money platform processed 46.4 billion transactions worth KSh41.68 trillion. The company reported a 25.1% increase in transaction volumes, illustrating the scale of payment activity moving through its financial services infrastructure.

The figures in Safaricom’s FY2026 Sustainable Business Report put merchant payments within a much larger transaction network serving individuals and businesses. The report also places emphasis on the capacity needed to support that activity, as M-PESA handles a growing volume of payments across its services.

For businesses, merchant payment infrastructure supports the acceptance and processing of digital payments without requiring each retailer to operate a conventional card terminal or build a separate payment system. Safaricom’s reported merchant base gives an indication of the breadth of businesses connected to M-PESA, although the total should not be read as a count of businesses that were all active at the same level throughout the year.

M-PESA transaction volumes rose 25.1%

Safaricom reported that M-PESA processed approximately 46.4 billion transactions during FY2026, with the combined value reaching KSh41.68 trillion. Transaction volumes increased by 25.1%, placing additional demands on the systems that route and complete payments across the platform.

The transaction value captures activity across M-PESA rather than merchant sales alone. It therefore provides a measure of the platform’s wider financial activity, while the 3.13 million merchant businesses figure focuses on the commercial network connected to its payment services.

The distinction matters when interpreting the numbers. Merchant acceptance is one part of M-PESA’s operations, alongside person-to-person transfers and other financial services. Together, these activities contribute to the transaction volumes that Safaricom must process reliably.

Safaricom expands capacity to handle higher payment volumes

Safaricom said M-PESA’s processing capacity increased from 4,500 to 6,000 transactions per second during the reporting period, with the system able to scale beyond 12,000 transactions per second. The company also reported 99.999% availability for the platform.

Processing capacity determines how much activity a system can handle over a given period. For a payment platform used by consumers and merchants, that capacity helps accommodate busy periods and rising transaction volumes without relying on a fixed level of throughput.

Availability is another measure of the platform’s operational performance. Safaricom’s reported figure describes the service availability recorded in its reporting period, while the capacity figures indicate the throughput the company says its systems can support.

Merchant businesses remain central to the payments network

The 3.13 million merchant businesses connected to M-PESA provide a view of the platform’s reach across commercial activity. Retailers and other businesses can use digital payments to receive money from customers, while consumers can pay without relying exclusively on cash.

The growth in transaction volumes also places greater importance on maintaining the underlying systems that support payment acceptance, processing and settlement. As the number of transactions rises, system capacity and availability become part of the infrastructure businesses depend on when accepting digital payments.

Safaricom’s FY2026 figures show a merchant network operating within a high-volume payment platform. The reported combination of 3.13 million merchant businesses, 46.4 billion transactions and KSh41.68 trillion in transaction value provides a snapshot of the scale M-PESA had reached by the end of March 2026.

Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent and across the world.

Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to info@techtrendsmedia.co.ke