M-PESA Africa will leverage the Microsoft Community and Training platform to digitize skilling initiatives, equipping MSMEs with the essential skills to enhance their business models, financial management, and customer service.

Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Managing Director of M-PESA Africa, emphasizes the importance of supporting these enterprises, as they play a vital role in African economies, contributing significantly to GDP and job creation. However, the skills gap, limited access to capital, and digital tools hinder their success.

Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office is committed to bridging this gap by providing digital tools and skilling resources to empower 10 million African SMEs, enabling them to access formal financial services and participate in the global market. These initiatives align with Sustainable Development Goal 10 of the UN, aiming to reduce inequality and empower vulnerable populations.

Through this collaboration, M-PESA Africa markets, including Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tanzania, will support the initiative, driving financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth for underserved MSMEs across the continent. Gerald Maithya, Managing Director of Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office, expresses enthusiasm for the positive impact of this partnership on MSME development and financial inclusion in Africa.