By The Weekly Vision Business Desk
M-KOPA has published its first Kenya-specific Impact Report, highlighting a decade of progress in driving digital inclusion, financial access and economic growth for Everyday Earners. Since launching in 2010, M-KOPA Kenya has unlocked more than KSh 207 billion in credit for 4.8 million customers – most of whom were previously excluded from formal financial services.
A cornerstone of this impact has been smartphone ownership: 4.5 million devices financed, including 2.1 million first-time smartphone owners. Martin Kingori, General Manager of M-KOPA Kenya, said: ‘Kenya has always been the beating heart of M-KOPA’s journey. This 2025 Impact Report shows how responsible lending, inclusive financing and digital innovation are transforming lives at scale. Most importantly, nine out of ten Everyday Earners tell us their quality of life has improved, and more than half are now earning more.’
The report underscores the link between smartphone access and economic opportunity:
- 67% of customers use their M-KOPA device to generate income
- 52% report higher earnings since joining the platform
- 64% say they can now meet household goals more easily
For nearly half of users, M-KOPA marks their first encounter with formal finance: 47% are first-time smartphone owners, 37% received their first formal loan, and 68% obtained their first health insurance policy. Beyond individual impact, M-KOPA’s contribution to the wider Kenyan economy is substantial.
In 2024 alone the company paid KSh 3.79 billion in taxes, spent KSh 20.3 billion with local suppliers, directly employed 1,320 staff and supported 14,000 sales agents – the majority of them young people entering the job market for the first time.M-KOPA’s Nairobi smartphone assembly plant, now Africa’s largest, has produced 2 million devices and is building local expertise in electronics manufacturing, quality control and advanced assembly techniques.
The company has also financed over 5,000 electric motorbikes for boda boda riders – Everyday Earners who previously had no access to vehicle financing. Riders save an average of KSh 730 per day on fuel and maintenance, with 66% reporting higher earnings and many now able to cover school fees and household expenses. Brian Njao, General Manager – Mobility, commented: “Whether it is a smartphone or an electric motorbike, we are solving the same problem: making expensive, income-generating assets affordable for people who earn day by day. For riders, the benefits are immediate – lower running costs, higher take-home pay and the pride of working towards outright ownership.”
Electric motorbikes reduce harmful emissions by more than 90% compared with petrol bikes, delivering both financial and environmental gains.M-KOPA emphasises responsible lending: 95% of customers describe the loan terms as fair, there are no hidden fees or penalties for late payment, and customers can return a device at any time for a full deposit refund.
Device-locking technology ensures users never fall into unmanageable debt. Since 2010, M-KOPA’s operations, from solar products to refurbished smartphones and circularity programmes – have avoided 2.03 million tonnes of CO₂e. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand local manufacturing, scale responsible digital financial services and deepen partnerships that support Kenya’s Digital Economy Blueprint and Vision 2030.
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