![[Kenya] Safaricom is introducing junior mobile numbers that willl allow them save on M-Pesa](Images/Key Logos/Safaricom center.jpg)
[Kenya] Safaricom is introducing junior mobile numbers that willl allow them save on M-Pesa
While announcing the telco's half-year results last week, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa confirmed that the company is planning to roll out mobile numbers for juniors.
The phone numbers will be under the accounts of their parents and allow kids to save on M-Pesa.
“Going forward the junior will be able to have their own number but under the parent account and that convert to the junior automatically when they turn 18 rather than having that problematic element that used to happen before.” the CEO said.
Ndegwa said that the special sim cards will have features protecting juniors from accessing services such as betting and others. “We have simplified the menu that the junior account will have so that they are not able to access certain services like betting,” said the CEO.
“That has received very strong support from the regulator because it is about parental control of what juniors do rather than using an adult account.”
Safaricom has been a trailblazer in the industry, frequently introducing novice ideas that have been well-received by consumers. With the right measures in place, the sim cards for juniors is likely to quickly onboard several users.
The telco also announced that it will soon be launching new products and services in the second half of the financial year. This includes the M-PESA Go product that allows minors to buy goods and services, pay bills and even buy airtime/data on M-PESA at the supervision of their parents/guardians.
