Safaricom’s M-PESA, a mobile money transfer service, is down due to a technical glitch. The service is unavailable on the M-PESA app, USSD code, and SIM card tool.
As a result, customers trying to use the platform received a pop-up message saying it was under maintenance.
Safaricom is working to restore normal operations as soon as possible.
”M-PESA is undergoing scheduled maintenance,” read a message from Safaricom.
Our sincere apologies Diana, we are currently having challenges with Mpesa services and resolution is underway. Please bear with us . ^PN
— Safaricom PLC (@SafaricomPLC) January 9, 2024
M-PESA, launched in 2007, has over 20 million users in Kenya. It is the main source of profit growth for the leading telecoms provider in East Africa, as voice and text services have become less profitable.
According to the company’s unaudited financial results for six months to September 30, 2023, M-PESA generated KShs 66.2 billion in revenue, up 16.5% from the previous year.
This accounted for 42.1% of the service revenue, a significant rise from the past year.
The value of Safaricom M-PESA transactions increased by 1.1% to KShs 18.28 trillion, while the volume of transactions grew by 34.7%.
In Ethiopia, the M-PESA platform generated a revenue of KShs 7.2 million.