Safaricom introduces a new foundation for the M-Pesa ecosystem
Safaricom has launched Daraja 3.0, the newest version of its developer platform and API suite that powers integrations with the M-Pesa ecosystem. The upgrade introduces full self-service onboarding for developers, improved sandbox environments, enhanced security features and support for third-party mini-apps that run inside the M-Pesa app.
The platform was unveiled on 25 November during Safaricom’s developer event, where the company described Daraja 3.0 as a major step in opening up its mobile-money and digital-services infrastructure to external builders.
A move that deepens Kenya’s super-app trajectory
Daraja 3.0 is more than an API refresh. It is the structural base for what increasingly resembles Safaricom’s shift toward a super-app model. By enabling third-party mini-apps, the company is positioning M-Pesa as an environment where financial services, transport, utilities, retail, government services and digital commerce can live inside one app.
This mirrors global patterns seen in platforms such as WeChat, Alipay and Grab, where an integrated ecosystem drives user loyalty and business growth.
The self-service onboarding model also changes how developers interact with Safaricom’s systems. They no longer need manual approvals to begin testing or building. A cloud-native backend and clearer documentation reduce the time, cost and friction required for fintechs, SMEs and enterprise developers to integrate with M-Pesa.
For Kenya’s broader digital economy, Daraja 3.0 expands what local startups can build. It strengthens M-Pesa’s reach beyond payments into lifestyle, retail and enterprise solutions. It also increases competitive pressure on regional mobile-money operators who may now need to open up their own ecosystems.
The groups that gain from the upgrade
Fintechs, SMEs, app developers and enterprise service providers are the immediate beneficiaries. They gain faster integration, smoother development cycles and access to M-Pesa’s large Kenyan user base.
Consumers may eventually see more services consolidated inside the M-Pesa app as mini-apps roll out. Government agencies, utilities, transport operators and retailers could also adopt the platform to simplify digital transactions and service delivery.
For Safaricom, Daraja 3.0 supports its evolution from a traditional telco into a platform company with deeper service stickiness and higher-value digital activity.
What unfolds in the coming months
Safaricom will begin onboarding developers to the new platform and certifying early mini-app partners. More APIs, expanded use cases and additional enterprise features are expected over the coming months.
The key indicators to watch include the rate at which mini-apps appear inside M-Pesa, how quickly developers adopt the platform and whether Safaricom formally positions M-Pesa as a super-app. The next six to twelve months will reveal whether Daraja 3.0 becomes a central engine for Kenya’s digital-services ecosystem.
