M-Pesa Go: A number of banks in Kenya offer what they call special kids savings accounts that enable young children or teens to grow from a piggy bank under their bed and begin learning how to save or even use a bank account.
Choosing an account for your child means you will have to pay attention to so many things including interest rates, fees or minimum balance requirements and most importantly the way you and your child can access and use the funds.
Kenya’s leading telco saw a gap here and after months of teasing it has finally rolled out a new financial product for teens and preteens aged 10 to 17 years. Known as M-Pesa Go, the product seeks to empower parents and guardians to raise a financially healthy generation who are prepared for a cashless world.
Safaricom says M-PESA Go aims to improve digital money management and financial literacy among young Kenyans. It will enable users to send and receive money, buy airtime and bundles, use Lipa na M-PESA services, and access a customized version of the M-PESA Super App dubbed M-PESA Go App.
To safeguard users, the product Go will restrict services such as withdrawing money, access to digital loans, and betting or forex payments.
Safaricom taking on banks with their new #MPESAGo product meant for teens and preteens aged 10 to 17 years.
Also, do banks still have junior accounts? #fintech #mobilemoney #mpesapic.twitter.com/h6NUabLkGR
— Kanali (@NicKanali) November 28, 2022
How can one sign up?
If you’re a guarding or parent wondering how you can sign your teen or preteen on M-Pesa go, don’t worry about getting a second sim card. You can self-onboard your already registered SIM card via https://safaricom.com/mpesa-go/onboarding or visit any Safaricom outlet.
You will be required to have an active SIM card registered on M-PESA, a valid identification document as well as the child’s birth certificate.
Once registered, the juniors can download and do more with the M-PESA Go App, a customized version of the M-PESA Super App. The Super Apps is a digital lifestyle platform launched by Safaricom in 2021 that provides enhanced M-PESA functionalities and a host of mini-apps that enable customers to complete tasks such as deliveries, ticket booking, shopping, license applications, insurance, government services, utilities, and many more, within the app.
The M-PESA Super App is also the gateway through which parents and guardians can guide their children’s financial journey, as it contains monitoring and tracking features, and parental control features such as setting transaction limits.
One of the Mini-Apps available on the M-PESA Super App is Kodris Africa, the provider of Kenya’s first-ever government-approved program for teaching coding. For 60 days, starting 26th November 2022, parent’s looking to get their children started on the coding journey can purchase an annual Kodris Africa subscription via the M-PESA App and enjoy 50% off.
What Safaricom CEO Said
“As M-PESA we are committed to empowering and transforming the lives of everyone, and in M-PESA Go, we are providing a revolutionary product designed for youngsters, but with oversight by parents or guardians. Leveraging the M-PESA Super App, we plan to introduce a financial literacy platform that will equip children with tools for managing money,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC.
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