Modern technology no longer relies on devices; it thrives on experiences. Digital interactions now shape daily routines, from grocery shopping to running a business. As Safaricom marks 25 years, cloud-native Daraja 3.0 shows how a telecom operator can actively shape and architect a full digital lifestyle in Africa.
The centre of that story is M-PESA. Safaricom’s new Fintech 2.0 upgrade is its biggest overhaul since 2015. The system now handles higher transaction loads and uses AI to detect fraud. It applies self-healing capabilities to reduce outages. It runs on a cloud-native, active-active architecture designed for stability. These choices strengthen M-PESA not just as a payments tool, but as a broader digital services platform.
Structural Change of the Digital Lifestyle Ecosystem
Daraja 3.0 reinforces that shift. The cloud-native API layer opens M-PESA to developers and supports mini-apps, improved sandboxing, IoT integrations, and enhanced security APIs. Safaricom is actively turning its payments engine into a marketplace where third-party services can reach millions of users with less friction. This move creates a structural shift in how digital services will be built, distributed, and trusted.
For consumers, the impact is immediate. Payments are quicker and more reliable. Services such as shopping, insurance, and micro-credit appear within a single app, without multiple downloads. Personalised financial products become possible as AI processes behavioural and transaction metadata. Safaricom’s leadership says these upgrades are not about size but about resilience. “It is an ambitious investment in our future and a recommitment to innovation and customer trust,” said CEO Peter Ndegwa.
Connectivity and social impact remain central. Network expansion, fibre rollout, and 5G readiness have shaped how Kenyans work, learn and receive healthcare remotely. These investments show how telecom networks underpin remote jobs, e-commerce, telemedicine and entertainment.
For innovators, the platform play is key. “Daraja 3.0 is a gateway to the next frontier of fintech,” said Chief Financial Services Officer Esther Waititu. The company is pushing for co-creation with the developer community.
The message is clear: the next wave of digital living will be built on platforms that offer scale, trust and regulatory-ready security.
