Safaricom’s Ziidi Money Market Fund has been recognised with the Best Fintech and Digital Commerce Innovation Award at the 2026 Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO), held during the 2026 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
The award, among the highest accolades in the mobile and digital finance sector, celebrates initiatives that are transforming financial services and trade through innovative mobile technologies. Ziidi was chosen from a global shortlist of five candidates for its impact in expanding access to investment opportunities in Kenya.
Safaricom officials hailed the award as a milestone in the company’s evolution from a mobile money platform to a comprehensive digital financial ecosystem. Stephen Chege, Safaricom’s Chief Corporate and External Affairs Officer, said the recognition underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive financial empowerment.
“This global recognition is a proud moment for Safaricom and for Kenya,” Chege said. “Ziidi reflects our dedication to giving our clients meaningful financial opportunities. This milestone, which coincides with 19 years of M-Pesa, highlights our journey from enabling simple money transfers to providing a complete digital financial ecosystem covering savings, credit, payments, and now investing.”
The Ziidi platform allows users to seamlessly transition from saving to investing within the M-Pesa ecosystem, eliminating traditional barriers to participation in capital markets. By integrating investment products directly into mobile wallets, Safaricom has enabled more Kenyans to save securely and invest in ways that were previously cumbersome or inaccessible.
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A key feature of the platform is Ziidi Trader, launched in February 2026, which allows Kenyans to buy and sell shares listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) directly through their M-Pesa accounts. Previously, investors were required to open separate Central Depository System (CDS) accounts with stockbrokers, limiting accessibility. Ziidi aggregates investor funds into a single account managed by Kestrel Capital, simplifying the investment process.
Huawei has played a pivotal role as a foundational technology partner for the platform, providing next-generation digital infrastructure to enable real-time processing, enhanced security, and rapid deployment of new financial products. This support has allowed Safaricom to scale its fintech solutions quickly, expanding access to inclusive wealth creation tools.
GLOMO awards are presented annually at MWC Barcelona to honour the world’s most innovative mobile and digital solutions across sectors including fintech, commerce, connectivity, and social impact. Safaricom has a strong track record at the awards, having previously received recognition for the M-PESA Super App, BLAZE DigiTruck, and DigiFarm.
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The Ziidi Money Market Fund forms part of Safaricom’s broader effort to deepen financial inclusion in Kenya. By embedding investment options within mobile money, the company reduces the complexity and cost of entering financial markets, enabling a wider segment of the population to participate in wealth-building activities.
Industry analysts note that initiatives like Ziidi are helping reshape Africa’s digital finance landscape. By combining mobile payment infrastructure with investment platforms, Safaricom is effectively creating a Fintech 2.0 ecosystem where users can save, invest, and access credit seamlessly.
With this latest recognition, Safaricom continues to demonstrate the potential of mobile technology to transform financial services, particularly in emerging markets where access to traditional banking remains limited. The award also reinforces Kenya’s position as a regional leader in mobile fintech innovation.
By making investing simple, secure, and accessible to smartphone users, Safaricom’s Ziidi platform is not only expanding financial inclusion but also enabling everyday Kenyans to participate in capital markets and grow their wealth.
