M-Pesa Foundation, which began its journey fifteen years ago, has grown into a force for change in Kenya, investing in large-scale, long-term social initiatives that address critical community needs. These include health, education, economic empowerment, environmental conservation, disaster response, and humanitarian aid.
Since inception, the Foundation has invested billions of shillings into these key areas, directly and indirectly transforming the lives of millions of underprivileged Kenyans.
Among its wide-ranging interventions, two sectors stand out for their substantial societal impact: education and healthcare. These pillars form the bedrock of the Foundation’s most celebrated milestones.
Transforming Education: The M-Pesa Foundation Academy
At the heart of the Foundation’s educational efforts is the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika. Established on February 22, 2016, the co-educational, fully residential high school offers a holistic curriculum emphasizing leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. Its mission is to serve bright students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Karen Basiye, Director of Sustainable Business, Social Impact, and M-Pesa Foundation, has expressed immense pride in the academy’s legacy. “If I were to highlight one sector where we have had a significant impact, it would have to be education. Education is an equalizer and benefits the whole community,” she said.
She shared the inspiring journey of one of the Foundation’s first beneficiaries—a girl who completed high school through the program, earned a place at an Ivy League university in the U.S., and now works at Goldman Sachs. She is currently preparing to start a family, marking a full-circle moment that underscores the Foundation’s long-term impact.
However, getting into the Academy is no small feat. The Foundation receives between 7,000 and 8,000 applications annually, and only 500 candidates make it to the final shortlist. These students must be between 14 and 16 years old, demonstrate academic excellence, critical thinking, and leadership potential, and come from financially needy backgrounds.
Application forms are accessible via the Academy’s website, physical collection at Safaricom retail shops across the country, the Safaricom Headquarters in Westlands, and at the Academy itself. Once submitted—whether by email, postal mail, or in person—applications undergo a multi-layered evaluation process.
Applicants are assessed on several criteria: academic performance, leadership qualities, entrepreneurship potential, problem-solving skills, and responsible citizenship. Shortlisted candidates go through telephone and face-to-face interviews, and the M-Pesa Foundation team visits their homes to conduct needs assessments—a mandatory step before selection.
To broaden its impact, the Foundation recently announced the “Citizens of the Future” program during its 15th anniversary. This ambitious initiative will offer scholarships and training and aims to modernize 600 schools, including building ICT labs and equipping educators with digital teaching skills. These efforts are supported by partners such as the Ministry of Education, World Bank, Hilton Foundation, NG-CDF, and private philanthropists.
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Transforming Healthcare Across Counties
Healthcare is another area where the M-Pesa Foundation continues to make a tangible difference.
Karen recounted the powerful story of a 90-year-old grandmother who had lived with fistula for nearly 70 years. Shunned by her community, she regained her health and dignity through support from the Foundation. “This should never have happened for 60 or 70 years,” Karen said. “But we are immensely proud of what the Foundation did for her.”
In Samburu, where women rarely delivered in hospitals due to limited access and outdated facilities, the Foundation stepped in to upgrade hospitals, enabling women to give birth in safer, more modern environments. A similar intervention in Lamu saw the introduction of a speedboat ambulance, ensuring pregnant women could quickly reach healthcare centers.
Immunization efforts have also borne fruit. In both Samburu and Lamu, child immunization rates have now reached 90%, helping protect children against life-threatening diseases and reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to preventive healthcare.
Looking ahead, the Foundation plans to scale up its health initiatives by integrating technology and collaborating with doctors from developed countries to bring advanced medical care to underserved regions in Kenya.
A Lasting Legacy
As it marks 15 years of service, the M-Pesa Foundation continues to set the standard for philanthropic investment in Kenya. From building educational pathways through the M-Pesa Foundation Academy to transforming maternal and child healthcare in remote regions, the Foundation has left an indelible mark.
With new initiatives like “Citizens of the Future”, ongoing school modernization, and expanding access to maternal health services, the journey is far from over. As Karen Basiye aptly put it, this is only the beginning of a larger mission—one that will continue to uplift generations and shape the future of Kenya.
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