On Saturday, telecommunications giant, Safaricom, officially launched M-Pesa Go, a product specifically designed for kids between the age of 10-17years to enable them to use select M-Pesa services independently.
M-Pesa Go is supposed to be a toned down version of the M-Pesa app for minors. Safaricom has been running a pilot for juniors account for some time.
Before today’s launch, Safaricom worked with Alliance High School students for feedback and information when developing it.
In a statement, Safaricom said the service seeks to empower parents and guardians to raise a financially healthy generation who are prepared for a cashless world, as well as improve digital money management and financial literacy among young Kenyans.
“It will enable users to send and receive money, buy airtime and bundles, use Lipa na M-Pesa services, and access a customized version of the M-Pesa Super App dubbed M-Pesa Go App. To safeguard users, M-Pesa Go restricts services such as withdrawing money, access to digital loans, and betting or forex payments,” read the statement.
Services Allowed On The M-Pesa GO Account
Minors can now use the junior account to complete the following functions:
- Send money
- Lipa Na M-PESA (PAYBILL AND BUY GOODS)
- Buy Airtime and Bundles
- Receive cash from another customer /bank.
- My account
Services Not Allowed On The M-Pesa GO Account
The juniors will however not be able to carry out the following transactions using the junior account:
- Withdraw money
- Loans and savings-(KCB M-PESA, Fuliza, mshwari and other loan app)
- Payment to betting companies.
- Payment to political parties.
How To Sign Up For The Account
To register new sim cards, the parent or guardian should visit a Safaricom outlet or M-Pesa agent with the following documents.
- Parent/guardian active sim card registered on M-Pesa
- Valid childbirth certificate.
- The parent/guardian National ID/Passport/ Military ID/Alien ID
A parent or guardian can onboard an already registered SIM card by following this link and filling the required fields. An already registered SIM card is one that belongs to a kid but has been registered under his or her parent’s or guardian’s ID.
Once registered, the juniors can download the M-PESA Go App, a customized and toned down version of the M-PESA Super App.
How Will A Parent Or Guardian Control The M-Pesa GO Account?
The parent/guardian will be able to control the junior account by dialing *334#. They will get the following options.
- Manage services: Enable Services & Disable services
- Manage Junior Relationships: Add / Remove Junior Accounts & View Junior Accounts list
- View Junior Account Info: Query account balance & View last 5 transactions
Parents/guardians will also be able to use the M-Pesa Super App to monitor what their kids are doing with their Junior Accounts.
The telco’s CEO Peter Ndegwa, speaking during the launch, said: “As M-Pesa we are committed to empowering and transforming the lives of everyone, and in M-Pesa Go, we are providing a revolutionary product designed for youngsters, but with oversight by parents or guardians. Leveraging the M-Pesa Super App, we plan to introduce a financial literacy platform that will equip children with tools for managing money.”
One of the Mini-Apps available on the M-Pesa Super App is Kodris Africa, the provider of Kenya’s first-ever government-approved program for teaching coding.
For 60 days, starting November 26, 2022, parent’s looking to get their children started on the coding journey can purchase an annual Kodris Africa subscription via the M-Pesa App and enjoy 50% off.
