M-KOPA is an established pan-African fintech that has served over 7 million customers and unlocked more than $2.5 billion in credit across the continent since its founding in 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Operating across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, the company offers affordable smartphone financing and digital financial services without requiring collateral or a salary slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This model is purpose-built for low-income earners who have historically been locked out of formal credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa is one of M-KOPA\u2019s newer markets, having launched in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In just two years, it has already unlocked over R370 million in credit for more than 105,000 customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why this matters for South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The problem M-KOPA is addressing is well-documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to GSMA data, low-income earners in sub-Saharan Africa would need to spend 99% of their monthly income to afford a basic smartphone, and 1GB of data costs an additional 2.4%, rising to 5% for the poorest 40%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, 77% of adults in the region do not own a smartphone, and for one in three, cost is the primary barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Access to credit is equally limited: 88% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa have never borrowed formally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is against this backdrop that M-KOPA\u2019s inclusive finance model, which allows customers to repay in small daily amounts through a mobile app, with no penalties for missed payments and a full deposit refund option, becomes not just a product offering but a meaningful intervention in the digital divide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This approach is closely aligned with South Africa\u2019s national policy agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During its G20 presidency in 2025, the South African government placed specific focus on building a Universal and Equitable Digital Inclusion Framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ICASA Chairperson Mothibi Ramusi has noted that the mobile internet gender gap is “not just a technological disparity; it is a gap in opportunity, empowerment, and equality,” calling for faster action to bridge the digital gender divide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has likewise set a vision to “see all South Africans digitally empowered to create and participate in tech-enabled opportunities.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M-KOPA\u2019s work in South Africa is directly aligned with these goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women are leading the way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The headline finding from the 2025 Impact Report is the outsized role women are playing, both as M-KOPA customers and as the agents driving the business on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women make up 49% of M-KOPA South Africa\u2019s customer base, the highest proportion across all of M-KOPA\u2019s markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of those female customers, 36% are first-time smartphone owners, compared to 24% of male customers, underscoring how M-KOPA is reaching women who have been most excluded from digital access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
88% of female customers report an improved quality of life since getting a smartphone through M-KOPA, compared to 82% of male customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the agent side, the results are equally striking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M-KOPA South Africa leads all M-KOPA markets in female agent participation, with 84% of its 1,300 sales agents being women, up from 49% the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
62% of agents, including 65% of female agents, said their role at M-KOPA is their first income-earning opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
73% report earning more now than when they first joined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Before M-KOPA, I was unemployed,” said Thando, who started as an agent and has since progressed to Sales Executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When I started, I was surviving on my child support grant, I had just moved out of my mom’s home, and I was sleeping on the floor with my kids. Now, I can afford to do everything for my kids. It has brought peace in my life because now I’m able to provide for my kids without having to ask anyone.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M-KOPA supports its female agents through flexible working arrangements that accommodate caregiving responsibilities, as well as safety measures, including a partnership with AURA that provides agents with a panic button app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bridging the digital divide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Across its customer base, the impact data, independently collected and verified by global consultancy Caribou, tells a consistent story of economic participation unlocked through digital access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
84% of M-KOPA South Africa\u2019s customers report an improved quality of life since getting a smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
64% are using their device for income generation, and 35% report earning more as an M-KOPA customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
39% say they are now able to invest in their children\u2019s education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notably, 65% of surveyed customers say they could not have afforded a smartphone without M-KOPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Reaching over 100,000 customers is more than a milestone. It represents 100,000 pathways into the digital economy,” said M-KOPA South Africa General Manager Cameron Perumal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Customer Sbongile, who makes and sells wigs, is one example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since getting a smartphone through M-KOPA, she has transformed how she runs her business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I run a small business making and selling wigs. Each day, I style wigs, take photos of my work, chat with clients on WhatsApp, and post my products on Facebook. I manage everything from my phone, and it has helped me grow my customer base a lot over time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “South Africa\u2019s unemployment crisis demands bold, inclusive solutions,” said Perumal. “Our Impact Report shows that when Every Day Earners gain access to fair and flexible financing, they use it to unlock income, stability, and opportunity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n M-KOPA South Africa continues to expand its services and aims to strengthen its value-added services further to support South Africans on their journeys to prosperity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2024, the business contributed over R24 million in tax revenue and over R155.5 million in local procurement, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/M-KOPA-Article-Image.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe future is bright<\/h2>\n\n\n\n