M-Pesa has partnered with Abu Dhabi–based ADI Foundation to launch blockchain infrastructure across eight African countries, including Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
The partnership aims to create new digital rails for over 60 million M-Pesa users, including individuals and small businesses, facilitating stablecoin transactions. The initial application will focus on cross-border payments, including settlements for Abu Dhabi–based firms using a dirham-backed stablecoin.
“M-Pesa has been amazing in terms of financial inclusion,” said Huy Nguyen Trieu, council member on the ADI Foundation’s board of advisers. “Our view is that we can push it further again by providing the right digital infrastructure, both for individuals and SMEs. The foundation’s infrastructure can act as the building blocks to accelerate digital transformation.”
Kenyan consumers are set to benefit from the collaboration through faster, cheaper, and more reliable cross-border payments. Compared to traditional bank transactions, the system is expected to significantly reduce costs and settlement times. Transactions are expected to begin early 2026.
“We are excited to partner with ADI Foundation to tap into their expertise around new technologies and how these can transform financial services,” said Sitoyo Lopokoiyit CEO M-Pesa Africa .
ADI Foundation partnership: A key milestone for M-Pesa
Since its inception in 2007, M-Pesa has grown from a simple mobile money platform into a full digital financial services ecosystem. Key milestones include the launch of M-Shwari, Lipa na M-Pesa, and M-Pesa Global, among others. The fintech’s collaboration with ADI marks its first major venture into blockchain and crypto rail.
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