Many people see the news of ADI Chain's partnership with M-Pesa and might think it's just another project hitching a ride on Africa's big wave. But if you truly understand M-Pesa's position in Africa's financial system, you'll realize what this collaboration really means.

M-Pesa was launched in Kenya in 2007 and has since expanded to cover 8 African countries—Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Ghana, Egypt, and Ethiopia. According to World Bank data, digital payment transaction volume in Africa surged over 300% from 2020 to 2025, with M-Pesa accounting for over 60% of the market share. You might not find this number impressive, but looking at Kenya's situation makes it clear—more than 50% of the country's GDP flows through the M-Pesa system each year, meaning half of the money in the country runs on this platform.

Even more impressive is that M-Pesa doesn't require a smartphone or internet—just the simplest SMS can handle transfers. In Africa, about 40% of adults don't have bank accounts, but as long as they have a phone capable of receiving texts, they can buy groceries, pay bills, and receive salaries—everything. It's not just a payment app; it's the financial infrastructure for the local people.

This time, ADI Chain's integration directly grants access to an ecosystem of 60 million users. The next focus is on how to seamlessly embed blockchain applications into M-Pesa's existing financial network, rather than just adding features abruptly. That’s the real test of the team's capability.