Safaricom Unveils KES 30 Billion Education Initiative to Transform Learning
Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Julius Bitok, delivers his remarks during the launch of M-PESA Foundation’s “Citizens of the Future” education initiative in Nairobi on October 30, 2025.
Safaricom, through the M-PESA Foundation, has launched a KES 30 billion education initiative aimed at upgrading over 600 learning institutions, offering 10,000 scholarships, and equipping teachers with digital skills over the next five years.
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok lauded the programme, saying it will complement government efforts to modernize learning spaces and prepare learners for a competitive global environment.
“Education relies on collaboration. While the government provides policy and allocates resources, it is through partnerships like this one that meaningful change will materialize. The Citizens of the Future programme exemplifies how private sector and government initiatives can achieve sustainable, equitable progress,” said Bitok.
Dubbed Citizens of the Future, the initiative seeks to improve education outcomes through infrastructure upgrades, teacher skilling, and scholarships across basic and tertiary institutions nationwide.
Also speaking, Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the programme consolidates the company’s education interventions to bridge gaps through innovation and material support.
“We have developed education interventions that seek to bridge the gap through innovation and material support. Under the Citizens of the Future Program, we are consolidating our initiatives to ease access to education from early learning to technical and vocational training in an initial investment of about KES30 billion in the next five years,” said Ndegwa.
The programme will also establish model “Schools of the Future,” featuring sustainable and inclusive infrastructure integrated with technology to accommodate learners with special needs.
On his part M-PESA Foundation Chairman Nicholas Nganga said the initiative will help redefine classroom experiences in a digital era.
“We are witness to what quality education can do for communities and therefore owe our learners and teachers an enhanced experience. In a world that is increasingly driven by digital advancements, the traditional classroom setting is evolving into something far more dynamic. We are going beyond supplementing education to transforming it,” said Nganga.
M-PESA Foundation Trustee Michael Joseph noted that the launch coincides with Safaricom’s 25th anniversary, reflecting its long-term commitment to transforming lives through inclusive education.
“This does indeed come at a defining moment, as we are celebrating 25 years of Safaricom, a journey anchored on our enduring purpose to transform lives. Our objective under Citizens of the Future is to enable every region have a model institution that not only trains for academic excellence, but to mould future-ready learners through digital integration,” said Joseph.
Kenyans will have one month to nominate a learning institution of their choice through www.citizenofthefuture.org, with deserving schools shortlisted based on set criteria.
As Safaricom marks 25 years of operation, it continues to invest in education, having already committed over KES 29 billion through its foundations, benefiting more than 4 million learners across Kenya.
