Safaricom’s AI exposes betting firms’ money laundering schemes on M-PESA
Safaricom has implemented real-time transaction monitoring, machine-learning models to detect unusual patterns and check for risks across its network.
Kenya.- Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, has identified cases of money laundering connected to betting platforms using its M-PESA mobile money service.
The findings were made possible by new artificial intelligence systems designed to improve financial oversight, as detailed in the company’s 2025 Sustainable Business Report released on October 7, 2025. According to the report, Safaricom has implemented real-time transaction monitoring, machine-learning models to detect unusual patterns and check for risks across its network.
These tools process millions of daily transactions on M-PESA, which handles more than 37 billion operations annually valued at 38.3 trillion Kenyan shillings (€273bn). In addition to betting-related laundering, the systems flagged suspicious international transfers and uncovered 1.7 billion shillings (€12m) in inflated deposits by agents.
The company also detected payments linked to 14 wildlife poachers and forwarded the findings to Kenya’s Financial Reporting Centre. Safaricom’s efforts stem from a push to meet regulatory standards and protect the integrity and reputation of its platform, which serves 35.8 million active users.
Kenya’s betting industry, one of Africa’s most active, has long drawn scrutiny from authorities like the Central Bank of Kenya and the Financial Reporting Centre, who view it as vulnerable to illicit funds from crimes such as corruption or fraud. M-PESA’s role in facilitating quick digital payments makes it a key channel for these activities, prompting the upgrades.
At the Safaricom Sustainability Summit held in Nairobi, CEO Peter Ndegwa highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability. He said: “Over the past 25 years, Safaricom has evolved into a purpose-led technology company guided by one simple mission: to transform lives by connecting people to people, people to opportunity and people to information.” He added that AI helps “detect anomalies faster and safeguard the ecosystem against abuse”.
While Safaricom didn’t name specific betting firms involved, it indicated that it was collaborating with authorities to address the issue and prevent further illicit activities.
