Editor's Review

Microsoft, through its Africa Transformation Office and Microsoft Philanthropies program, is partnering with M-PESA to support MSME Digital Skills. 

 Microsoft is partnering with Mpesa Africa to support its Capability Development Academy.

In a statement, to newsrooms on Wednesday, October 4, Microsoft will provide access to the Microsoft Community Platform and SME Skilling Programs to drive capacity building and digitization for Micro, Small, and Medium SMEs (MSMEs) across several African markets.  

Through the Microsoft Community and Training platform, Mpesa Africa will digitize skilling and leverage the community platform to equip MSMEs with the necessary skills to develop stronger business models, manage their finances and offer exceptional customer service.

Mpesa is Africa’s leading fintech and payments service, connecting more than 60 million customers and more than 900,000 businesses through Mpesa business solutions across eight countries, processing more than 91 million transactions and over $1 billion in value per day. 

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Safaricom PLC Chief Financial Services Officer, Esther Waititu (right) with Vice President- Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI), Justin Spelhaug and Safaricom Director Sustainable Business & Social Impact, Karen Basiye. This was during the partnership meeting at Dunhill Towers.

The goal of the program is to improve livelihoods for MSME entrepreneurs and their communities, and hopefully, open opportunities for these small businesses to compete in the global market.

Mpesa Africa Managing Director Sitoyo Lopokoiyit said, "In line with our purpose of transforming lives, we continue to pursue innovations and partnerships that connect customers and businesses across the continent to more opportunities while uplifting their livelihoods. We are excited to partner with Microsoft to upskill entrepreneurs and provide them with business tools that will enable them to run their businesses better and to grow their businesses. Micro, Small and Medium businesses are the backbone of African economies and therefore empowering them to succeed creates an even larger impact for their communities due to their outsized economic contribution." 

“Digitisation can significantly enhance financial inclusion, most particularly for unserved and underserved enterprises such as MSMEs. Creating an enabling environment for these important economically active businesses that helps them thrive and participate actively in the continent’s economies is essential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. We are proud to be at the forefront of driving MSME development and financial inclusion in Africa and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of our partnership with M-PESA Africa across the continent,” says Gerald Maithya, Managing Director, Africa Transformation Office, Microsoft.