Gamechangers
Mobile money—how innovation in Kenya paved the way for digital payments
This monthly podcast series looks at the people and stories behind game-changing ideas and innovations
PAYING FOR things using your phone has become far more widespread during the pandemic. But Western consumers are playing catch-up. Mobile payments have been widespread for more than a decade in Africa, and in particular in Kenya, where the world’s first successful mobile-money system, called M-PESA, was launched in 2007. Why did it take off in Kenya first, how did users shape the development of the product—and what does this story reveal about innovation? Tom Standage hosts. Runtime: 33 min
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