en.Wedoany.com Reported - Safaricom has noted that the number of registered users for its unified platform "My OneApp" in Kenya has exceeded 4.7 million. The telecom operator is accelerating the phasing out of its legacy digital applications.
The platform is designed to ultimately replace the standalone M-Pesa and MySafaricom apps, integrating mobile connectivity services with financial functions into a single digital interface.
Peter Gichangi, Director of Digital Commerce and Loyalty Services at Safaricom, stated on the Capital In The Morning program that the company has introduced stricter security measures to address the growing number of social engineering fraud cases.
According to Gichangi, the app is now directly linked to the user's physical SIM card. If the SIM card is not installed in the device, access to the app or financial transactions will be denied. This move aims to prevent fraudsters from remotely accessing customer accounts using secondary devices or stolen login credentials.
Currently, My OneApp has approximately 1.3 million daily active users and nearly 3 million monthly active users.
To encourage user migration, Safaricom has pushed notification banners in the legacy M-Pesa and MySafaricom apps, urging customers to switch to the new platform. The company plans to eventually remove the old apps from app stores, making My OneApp the primary digital access point for customers.
The app was first unveiled in April at the Decode 4.0 engineering summit in Nairobi. Its initial launch faced challenges, including user complaints about authentication issues, loss of historical data, and lack of Wi-Fi compatibility. Safaricom stated that its engineering team has resolved the Wi-Fi connectivity issues and restored several previously missing features.
The telecom company also plans subsequent upgrades integrating machine learning technology to enable personalized financial services and automated recurring transactions. Upcoming features are expected to include utility bill payment reminders, merchant recommendations based on user location and transaction history, and tools to help customers identify nearby merchants that accept Lipa na M-Pesa payments.
While advancing its digital transformation, Safaricom is continuing its expansion in Ethiopia, and its equity structure in Kenya is also facing adjustments. The Kenyan government is currently selling an additional 15% stake in Safaricom to South Africa's Vodacom, with the transaction valued at approximately 204.3 billion Kenyan shillings. Upon completion of the deal, Vodacom's direct and indirect shareholding will increase to 55%, while the Kenyan government's stake will decrease to 20%.
