M-pesa Africa and the ADI Foundation recently announced a strategic partnership to integrate institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure across the mobile money platform’s network, potentially reaching more than 60 million monthly users in eight African nations.
The collaboration will deploy ADI Chain, a high-performance Layer 2 blockchain, across M-pesa’s operations in Kenya, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The move aims to create “digital rails” for individuals and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to access faster cross-border settlements and stablecoin-based transactions.
Since its inception in 2007, M-pesa has been a global leader in financial inclusion, allowing users to bypass traditional banking barriers via mobile devices. This new partnership seeks to build upon that infrastructure by adding decentralized capabilities designed to meet modern regulatory standards.
“M-Pesa has been amazing in terms of financial inclusion,” said Huy Nguyen Trieu, a council member on the ADI Foundation’s board of advisers. “Our view is that we can push it further again by providing the right digital infrastructure… The foundation’s infrastructure can act as the building blocks to accelerate digital transformation.”
The partnership comes as demand for digital assets surges in Africa. Data from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission reported $50 billion in crypto transactions in the year ending June 2024, with many users turning to stablecoins to hedge against local currency volatility.
Also read: Study: Bitcoin Dominates Crypto Purchases in Nigeria, South Africa
The ADI Foundation, established in 2024 by Sirius International Holding (the technology arm of the $240 billion UAE conglomerate IHC), focuses on “sovereign-grade” systems. Unlike retail-focused blockchains, ADI Chain is said to be designed to operate within the specific regulatory and security constraints of national governments.
A key component of the rollout, expected by early 2026, is the support for a UAE dirham-backed stablecoin. Issued by First Abu Dhabi Bank and IHC under the oversight of the UAE Central Bank, the stablecoin will provide a blueprint for how mobile money platforms can manage cross-border commerce with price stability.
“We are excited to partner with ADI Foundation to tap into their expertise around new technologies and how these can transform financial services,” said Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, CEO of M-pesa Africa.
The ADI Foundation currently maintains partnerships in 20 countries with over 50 institutional projects. This M-pesa deal represents its most significant step toward its stated goal of onboarding one billion people to blockchain by 2030.
- Which countries are included in the rollout? Kenya, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
- What blockchain is being integrated? ADI Chain, a Layer 2 system built for speed and compliance.
- How many users could benefit? Over 60 million monthly M‑Pesa customers across eight African nations.
- What’s the key innovation? UAE dirham‑backed stablecoin enabling faster, stable cross‑border settlements.
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