Powering Progress: How Safaricom Is Uplifting MSMEs on Their Day
Powering Progress: How Safaricom Is Uplifting MSMEs on Their Day
Today marks World MSME Day, a timely reminder that micro, small, and medium enterprises are the real engines of our economy.
From mama mbogas and shoe sellers to book vendors and school bag traders, these everyday entrepreneurs do more than just earn a living they power our communities.
That’s why they deserve not only recognition but also meaningful financial and infrastructural support from both government and the private sector.
As I reflect on the companies actively supporting MSMEs in Kenya, one brand consistently comes to mind: Safaricom.
Safaricom Business https://www.business.safaricom.co.ke/ has shown a strong commitment to MSME empowerment. Through flexible and affordable tools like Zidisha Plus, business owners can access voice or data packages tailored to their needs for as little as KSh 250.
Even better, these resources can be shared among staff under a single bill, helping teams stay connected and collaborative.
In an interview by https://techtrendske.co.ke/ Frankline Okata, Tribe Lead, Packaged Solutions at Safaricom notes that “Our flagship offering, M-PESA for Business, supports over 1.5 million enterprises, from informal traders to growing SMEs. With features like Business Till, PayBill, Bulk Payments, and Pochi la Biashara, MSMEs are able to collect payments, manage payroll, and build credit history, all through mobile.”
Powering Progress: How Safaricom Is Uplifting MSMEs on Their Day. Photo Courtesy TechTrends
Beyond Connectivity: Building Capacity and Opening Doors
To help businesses grow online, Safaricom offers Domain and Email Hosting, giving MSMEs a professional presence at affordable rates. Paired with 4G and 5G for Business, entrepreneurs can now operate faster and more efficiently on Kenya’s largest network.
But it doesn’t stop there. “Safaricom is also championing financial inclusion through credit products like Fuliza ya Biashara and Taasi Pochi, which offer small businesses accessible loans without the usual barriers of paperwork and collateral” Explains Okata
Additionally, these solutions have become lifelines for rural traders and women-owned kiosks that need working capital to restock or scale.
In March 2024, Safaricom launched Grow with Safaricom Business—a platform that provides MSMEs with the skills, tools, and networks they need to grow.
Through year-round workshops and seminars, business owners learn how to digitize operations, enhance their market reach, build strong brands, and adapt to changing consumer habits.
Safaricom’s bold vision is to become Africa’s most accessible and dependable digital enabler for MSMEs. This includes continued investment in tools that drive entrepreneurship, expansion of training programs, and collaboration with partners to unlock value for small businesses across the continent.
In conclusion, as we celebrate World MSME Day, let’s recognize the vital role that MSMEs play in shaping our economy and applaud the organizations like Safaricom that are actively creating space and solutions for them to thrive.
