M-KOPA Unlocks $1.6B In Credit For Kenyans

M-KOPA Kenya has unlocked more than $1.593 billion (KES 207 billion) in access to formal credit since 2010, according to its Kenya-specific Impact Report.

The company says the milestone marks a major boost for financial inclusion in underserved communities. The report shows that 4.9 million customers have benefited from M-KOPA’s pay-as-you-go financing model, with 4.5 million now using smartphones, including 2.1 million first-time smartphone owners.

According to the findings, 67 percent of users rely on M-KOPA-financed products to generate income, while 52 percent report increased earnings after joining the platform.

“Kenya has always been the beating heart of M-KOPA’s progress journey,” said Martin Kingori, General Manager, M-KOPA Kenya. “Our 2025 Impact Report demonstrates how inclusive financing, responsible lending, and digital innovation are transforming lives at scale. What matters most is the lived progress of Every Day Earners, 9 out of 10 report an improved quality of life, and more than half are now earning more.”

The company’s economic footprint includes 14,000 sales agents, 1,320 direct employees, and $291.8 million (KES 20.3 billion) invested in local procurement in 2024. M-KOPA contributed $29.18 million (KES 3.79 billion) in taxes over the same period. Its Nairobi assembly plant has produced 2 million smartphones, supporting local manufacturing and circular economy efforts.

The report also highlights M-KOPA’s climate gains, including 2.03 million tonnes of CO2e avoided through solar products, refurbished devices, and e-mobility initiatives. The company has sold over 5,000 electric motorbikes, broadening access to clean transportation.

“Reaching 5,000 electric motorbikes demonstrates how M-KOPA’s financing model works across asset classes,” said Brian Njao, General Manager – Mobility. “Whether it’s a smartphone or an e-motorbike, we’re solving the same challenge, making expensive, income-generating assets accessible to people earning day by day. For riders, the impact is immediate: lower costs, higher earnings, and the dignity of building towards ownership. This is financial inclusion meeting climate action.”

M-KOPA attributes its growth to partnerships with Safaricom, Bolt, Turaco, Ampersand, Roam, Spiro, and the Gates Foundation, which have supported distribution, financing, product design, and regulatory engagement.

Looking ahead, the company plans to scale local manufacturing, expand responsible digital financial services, and deepen collaborations aligned with national priorities such as the Digital Economy Blueprint and Kenya Vision 2030.