Safaricom has upgraded its M-PESA platform with a new core system called Fintech 2.0, the first major change since 2015, aimed at boosting capacity and reliability.
The new system raises M-PESA’s capacity of transactions from 4,500 to 6,000 transactions per second, with the ability to scale up to 12,000 transactions per second in the future.
A central element of the upgrade is the shift to an active-active architecture. This allows the system to run in multiple data centers at the same time, greatly reducing the chances of downtime and strengthening reliability.
The platform also gains AI features that focus on fraud detection, real-time monitoring, and self-healing mechanisms.
According to Safaricom Group CEO Peter Ndegwa, the transition to Fintech 2.0 is a step into the future of M-PESA. He noted that the system not only meets the demands of today but is designed to take advantage of opportunities that lie ahead.
“This upgrade is a bold investment in the future of M-PESA and reaffirmation of our commitment to innovation, resilience and customer trust. By moving to Fintech 2.0, we are unlocking a platform that not only scales to meet today’s demands but also anticipates tomorrow’s opportunities.”
M-PESA, which started in 2007 as a mobile money transfer service, has evolved into a broad financial ecosystem. It now supports payments, savings, credit, insurance, remittances, and online commerce.
