M-Pesa to Roll Out Blockchain Payments Across Africa
M-Pesa has partnered with Abu Dhabi-based ADI Foundation to deploy ADI Chain blockchain infrastructure across nine African countries, including Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
The rollout will leverage M-Pesa Africa’s network of more than 60 million monthly active users, with transactions expected to begin in early 2026.
The initial application will focus on cross-border payments, including settlements for Abu Dhabi-based firms using a dirham-backed stablecoin. This marks M-Pesa’s first major venture into blockchain and crypto rails, positioned as an institutional-grade initiative.
ADI Foundation says its technology is designed to align with government priorities and regulatory frameworks.
The foundation is backed by Sirius International Holding, the digital arm of IHC, a major MENA-listed group. The dirham-backed stablecoin has public backing from UAE institutions, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, under UAE regulatory oversight.
For Kenyan users, the partnership promises faster, cheaper, and more reliable cross-border payments. The system is expected to cut costs and settlement times compared with traditional bank wires, which can take days to complete.
The dirham-backed stablecoin may also act as a hedge against local currency depreciation and inflation, allowing users to store value in a more stable digital asset.
The integration of blockchain with M-Pesa’s mobile payments infrastructure could expand financial inclusion, particularly for small businesses and individuals without bank accounts. Kenyan SMEs, freelancers, and e-commerce sellers could benefit from faster, predictable settlements when transacting with international clients and suppliers.
The partnership also introduces institutional-grade blockchain technology into mainstream financial services. It emphasizes regulatory compliance, aligning with both UAE oversight and Kenya’s evolving framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
ADI Chain, a Layer 2 network, will serve as the infrastructure for potential future applications in decentralized finance (DeFi) and other blockchain-based services accessible through M-Pesa.
Digital person-to-business payments are already well established in Kenya. In 2024, roughly 55.8% of adults used mobile payments to pay businesses, significantly above the Sub-Saharan African average of 20%.
This foundation positions the country for the adoption of blockchain-enabled services, potentially accelerating cross-border commerce and financial inclusion across the continent.
Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.
