M-KOPA is a pan-African financial-technology company that allows customers to acquire smartphones through an initial deposit followed by small daily, weekly or monthly repayments.
The company’s model is aimed mainly at people who earn money daily but may not have formal payslips, collateral or established banking credit histories. Customers build a repayment record while paying for their smartphones and may later become eligible for services such as digital loans, hospital cash cover, affordable data and device protection.
M-KOPA announced on July 22, 2026 that it had reached 10 million customers across five African markets. It said it was adding approximately 10,000 customers daily and processing more than two million payments every day.
M-KOPA Kenya at a Glance
Company: M-KOPA
Industry: Fintech, smartphone financing and connected devices
Founded: 2011
Commercial operations began: 2012
Co-founder and CEO: Jesse Moore
Kenya office: 21 Riverside Paddocks, Nairobi
Kenya customer-care number: +254 707 333 222
WhatsApp: +254 799 136 761
Email: [email protected]
Official M-PESA Paybill: 333222
Active markets: Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa
Customers: More than 10 million
Sales agents: More than 40,000 across five countries
Website: m-kopa.com
The customer, payment and agent figures are company-reported totals announced in July 2026.
What Is M-KOPA?
M-KOPA provides asset financing and digital financial services to customers who may have limited access to conventional bank loans.
Its financing relationship commonly begins with a smartphone. A customer pays an initial deposit, takes possession of the phone and completes the remaining amount through scheduled digital repayments.
The payment history helps M-KOPA develop an individual credit profile. Customers who maintain an acceptable repayment record may become eligible for additional financial products and services.
M-KOPA describes its target customers as “Every Day Earners,” including traders, motorcycle riders, shopkeepers, tailors and other people whose income is earned daily rather than through monthly salaries.
M-KOPA’s History
M-KOPA was founded in 2011 and completed its first commercial solar sale in Kenya in 2012.
The business initially became known for financing small solar-home systems for households that lacked reliable access to electricity. Customers paid for the systems through small mobile-money instalments.
M-KOPA later expanded into televisions, appliances, smartphones and financial services. Smartphones have since become the centre of the company’s growth strategy.
M-KOPA reached its first one million customers in 2020. After entering smartphone financing, it added another nine million customers over the following six years, reaching 10 million in July 2026.
Is M-KOPA Part of Safaricom?
M-KOPA is not owned by Safaricom and was not founded as a Safaricom business unit.
The companies have worked within the same digital ecosystem because M-KOPA customers in Kenya use M-PESA to make repayments. Some M-KOPA smartphone offers also include Safaricom connectivity or data benefits.
Customers should therefore distinguish between:
- M-KOPA, which provides the device-financing agreement
- Safaricom, which operates M-PESA and mobile-network services
- Phone manufacturers such as Samsung or M-KOPA’s manufacturing partners
- Insurance partners providing particular protection products
A Safaricom SIM card or M-PESA payment does not make M-KOPA a Safaricom subsidiary.
Countries Where M-KOPA Operates
M-KOPA currently operates in five African countries:
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- South Africa
Tanzania appeared in older descriptions of M-KOPA’s business but is not listed among the company’s five current operating markets.
M-KOPA also maintains a corporate presence in the United Kingdom.
M-KOPA Smartphones in Kenya
M-KOPA provides smartphones through financed repayment plans.
Its current product portfolio includes M-KOPA-branded and Samsung devices. Models displayed on its product platform in July 2026 included:
- M-KOPA X30
- M-KOPA X3
- M-KOPA S50
- M-KOPA M10
- M-KOPA S34
- Samsung Galaxy A07
- Samsung Galaxy A17
- Samsung Galaxy A26
- Samsung Galaxy A16
- Samsung Galaxy A06
- Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Samsung Galaxy A25
- Samsung Galaxy A15
Models, deposits and repayment plans can change according to availability and customer eligibility.
M-KOPA-Branded Phones
M-KOPA now sells smartphones carrying its own brand alongside devices from established manufacturers.
Current examples include the M-KOPA X30, X3, S50, M10 and S34.
The X30 is positioned as one of its higher-specification models, with 256GB of storage, a 50-megapixel front camera and a 50-megapixel rear camera system. The S50 and M10 target customers seeking more affordable devices.
The actual device offered to a customer depends on:
- Available stock
- Deposit amount
- Country
- Customer eligibility
- Repayment affordability
- Previous M-KOPA payment history
- Current promotions
How M-KOPA Phone Financing Works
The process generally involves four stages:
1. Choose a phone
A customer selects an available smartphone through an authorised M-KOPA agent, shop or official online channel.
2. Pay the initial deposit
The deposit differs according to the device and financing offer.
Customers should confirm the deposit and total repayment amount before accepting the agreement.
3. Make scheduled repayments
Payments can be structured daily, weekly, monthly or paid ahead, depending on the agreement.
4. Complete the repayment
The customer finishes paying the total amount stated in the credit agreement.
Customers must read the agreement carefully because the total repayment amount can be significantly higher than the phone’s cash price.
Does M-KOPA Accept Cash?
No.
M-KOPA states that its Kenyan stores, agents and representatives must not accept cash payments.
Official repayments should be made through:
- M-KOPA’s M-PESA Paybill 333222
- The M-KOPA mobile application
When using Paybill 333222, customers should enter the identification or account details required by their M-KOPA agreement.
M-KOPA warns customers not to pay agents using personal mobile-money numbers or cash.
M-KOPA Paybill Number
The official M-KOPA Kenya M-PESA Paybill is:
333222
Customers should use the account identifier provided by M-KOPA.
Before confirming payment, check that:
- The Paybill is 333222
- The account number is correct
- The confirmation message refers to the intended account
- The amount matches the planned repayment
Customers should retain every M-PESA confirmation message.
What Happens When an M-KOPA Payment Is Missed?
M-KOPA-financed smartphones contain administrative technology that can restrict the device when payments fall into arrears.
If a required repayment is missed, the phone may be deactivated until the account is brought up to date. More than one payment may sometimes be required if the account has accumulated arrears.
M-KOPA also states that it reports payment history to credit-reference bureaus. Consistent repayment can help build a credit profile, while persistent late or missed payments may damage the customer’s credit history after the applicable notices have been issued.
Customers experiencing difficulty should contact M-KOPA before the arrears increase.
Can M-KOPA Lock a Fully Paid Phone?
M-KOPA’s terms say its administrative rights normally remain in place until the financed amount has been paid.
However, customers who obtain additional products linked to the original device should read the relevant agreement carefully. The company’s terms state that administrative controls may be reactivated where additional financed products or services remain unpaid.
Customers should request clarification before taking an additional loan or financed service connected to a phone they have already paid for.
SIM Secure Feature
Some M-KOPA smartphones use a SIM security feature.
M-KOPA says the phone may be linked to the customer’s registered SIM card. Inserting another SIM can cause the device to lock.
Customers who need to replace or change their registered SIM should visit an authorised M-KOPA shop with identification documents.
M-KOPA Digital Loans
Eligible customers may gain access to digital cash loans after building a repayment record through an M-KOPA product.
Eligibility is not automatic.
M-KOPA can consider:
- Repayment consistency
- Existing outstanding balances
- Length of payment history
- Customer account behaviour
- Internal credit assessment
- Credit-reference information
The amount offered may start small and increase when a customer demonstrates reliable repayment behaviour.
M-KOPA Loan Interest
M-KOPA’s current Kenyan loan terms state that customers will be informed of the loan amount, interest and applicable charges before accepting a loan.
The terms provide for monthly interest ranging from approximately 3% to 15%, subject to applicable law and the customer’s individual agreement.
A customer should check:
- Principal amount
- Monthly interest rate
- Total amount repayable
- Repayment frequency
- Due dates
- Late-payment consequences
- Whether another device can be restricted
- Credit-bureau reporting terms
Borrowers should not consider the amount received alone. The total repayment cost is more important.
How to Qualify for an M-KOPA Loan
Customers generally need to:
- Obtain an eligible M-KOPA-financed smartphone.
- Make repayments regularly.
- Build an acceptable payment record.
- Wait for an eligibility notification.
- Apply through the official M-KOPA channel.
- Review the loan cost before accepting.
M-KOPA’s public pages contain different references to eligibility after approximately two or three months of successful repayments. The actual qualifying period and offer therefore depend on the customer, product and terms shown in the app or eligibility message.
Health Cover
Selected M-KOPA smartphone plans include hospital cash cover provided through an insurance partner.
M-KOPA has partnered with Turaco to provide qualifying customers with cash benefits following eligible overnight hospital admission.
The company has previously described benefits of KSh1,000 for each eligible night in a Ministry of Health-registered hospital, subject to annual limits and policy conditions.
This is hospital cash cover, not necessarily comprehensive medical insurance.
Customers may still need to pay their medical bills before submitting a claim.
How to Claim the Health Benefit
M-KOPA’s FAQ directs qualifying Kenyan customers to contact Turaco through:
Toll-free telephone: 0800 221 245
WhatsApp: 0768 387 245
Claims should be reported promptly and accompanied by the required hospital documents.
Customers should check their own insurance certificate because benefit levels and claim requirements may differ by phone model and purchase date.
Device Protection
Selected M-KOPA smartphones include device-protection benefits.
Depending on the product, these may cover:
- Broken-screen repair
- Theft
- Loss
- Replacement under defined conditions
Excess fees, reporting deadlines and exclusions apply.
For example, some product terms require the customer to report a stolen phone, visit an authorised service centre and pay a replacement contribution.
Device protection does not mean every loss or damage claim will be accepted automatically.
Affordable Data Bundles
M-KOPA offers mobile-data products to eligible smartphone customers.
Data may be provided as:
- Included promotional data
- Pay-now bundles
- Financed “Lipa Pole Pole” bundles
Available allowances, repayment terms and network conditions are displayed through the M-KOPA app before purchase.
Customers should confirm:
- Bundle size
- Validity period
- Supported network
- Repayment amount
- Whether the bundle is financed
- Consequences of missed payments
M-KOPA Solar Products
M-KOPA established its reputation through pay-as-you-go solar-home systems.
Older products included:
- Solar lighting kits
- Solar panels
- Rechargeable lights
- Radios
- Televisions
- Home-power systems
However, M-KOPA’s current corporate and Kenyan consumer platforms focus predominantly on smartphones, financial services and electric mobility.
Solar products should therefore be discussed as an important part of M-KOPA’s history rather than automatically presented as its main current retail product in Kenya.
Customers seeking a solar system should confirm current availability directly with M-KOPA.
Televisions and Refrigerators
M-KOPA previously financed appliances including televisions and refrigerators in some markets.
These products are not prominently listed in the company’s current global product catalogue, which centres on smartphones, loans, services and mobility.
The article should not promise that televisions or refrigerators are currently available at every Kenyan shop.
Customers should ask an authorised outlet about current stock.
Electric Motorcycles
M-KOPA has expanded into electric mobility in Kenya.
Its mobility business provides electric motorcycles through financed repayment plans aimed mainly at commercial riders.
Current services can include:
- Electric motorcycle financing
- Battery services
- Insurance
- Theft tracking and locking
- Roadside or rescue support
- Replacement products during qualifying repairs
- Warranty coverage
Terms vary by motorcycle, battery configuration and financing agreement.
M-KOPA published an example in June 2026 involving a KSh25,000 deposit and daily payments of KSh550 for a single-battery Roam Air configuration. This was an illustrative offer and should not be treated as a permanent price.
Smartphone Assembly in Kenya
M-KOPA opened a smartphone assembly operation in Kenya in 2023.
By July 2026, the company said the facility employed more than 400 people and had produced more than 3.3 million devices.
M-KOPA also described the facility as globally ISO-certified and capable of producing more than two million smartphones annually.
The factory supports M-KOPA’s increasing use of its own smartphone brand alongside devices supplied by partners such as Samsung.
M-KOPA Customers and Credit
M-KOPA says it has unlocked more than $2 billion in credit for customers.
The company’s model differs from a conventional unsecured mobile-loan application because the initial relationship typically begins with financing a physical asset, especially a smartphone.
The customer’s repayment behaviour becomes part of the credit-assessment process for future products.
Is the M-KOPA Phone More Expensive Than Buying With Cash?
The total amount paid through financing may be higher than the phone’s normal cash retail price.
The difference can reflect:
- Financing costs
- Interest
- Credit risk
- Insurance
- Device protection
- Data
- Distribution costs
- Customer support
- Payment collection
- Other bundled services
Customers have the right to ask M-KOPA for a breakdown of repayments and product-related costs.
Before signing, compare:
- Initial deposit
- Daily repayment
- Number of payment days
- Total repayment
- Cash price elsewhere
- Included insurance
- Included data
- Repair or replacement benefits
- Missed-payment consequences
Calculating the Total M-KOPA Phone Cost
Use this basic formula:
Total cost = initial deposit + all scheduled repayments + applicable charges
For example, when a phone requires:
- KSh5,000 deposit
- KSh80 daily
- 365 payment days
The repayment portion is:
KSh80 × 365 = KSh29,200
The approximate total becomes:
KSh5,000 + KSh29,200 = KSh34,200
This is only an example. Customers must use the deposit and repayment period shown in their own agreement.
Can Payments Be Made Early?
M-KOPA’s terms allow customers to make payments by the due date or in advance.
Customers seeking to settle the entire outstanding amount should contact customer care or check the M-KOPA app for an accurate account balance.
Never estimate the settlement figure by multiplying the daily amount without first requesting an official balance.
How to Check an M-KOPA Balance
Customers can use:
- The M-KOPA mobile app
- Official customer-care channels
- An authorised M-KOPA service point
The app can display account information, repayments and available services.
Customers should avoid giving their national identification details, PINs or verification codes to unofficial social-media accounts.
M-KOPA Customer Care in Kenya
Customer-care telephone
+254 707 333 222
Official WhatsApp
+254 799 136 761
General email
Customer-protection and fraud reports
Kenya office
21 Riverside Paddocks, Nairobi
These are the contacts currently displayed on M-KOPA’s official contact and terms pages.
Is M-KOPA Customer Care Available 24 Hours?
M-KOPA’s mobility platform specifically advertises 24-hour phone and rescue support for its motorcycle customers.
However, M-KOPA’s main contact page does not clearly publish one 24-hour schedule covering every Kenyan smartphone, loan and service-centre enquiry.
A safer description is:
“Contact M-KOPA directly to confirm current customer-care and branch operating hours.”
M-KOPA Shops and Service Centres
M-KOPA has shops, authorised agents and service locations across Kenya.
Customers can use them for services such as:
- Applying for a phone
- Viewing available models
- Identity verification
- SIM updates
- Device support
- Repair enquiries
- Protection claims
- Account assistance
M-KOPA advises customers to visit their nearest shop when they need help changing a SIM or registered telephone number.
The claim that M-KOPA has exactly 65 or more Kenyan service centres could not be confirmed from its current official website. NyongesaSande.com should therefore avoid publishing a fixed number unless M-KOPA provides an updated branch list.
How to Find the Nearest M-KOPA Shop
Customers can:
- Call +254 707 333 222
- Send WhatsApp to +254 799 136 761
- Use the contact options on M-KOPA’s official website
- Ask an authorised M-KOPA representative for a verified map pin
Before travelling, confirm:
- Exact location
- Opening hours
- Available products
- Repair services
- Required documents
- Whether an appointment is necessary
Documents Needed to Get an M-KOPA Phone
Requirements can vary, but customers generally need:
- Valid identification
- An active mobile number
- A registered SIM card
- Initial deposit
- Customer verification
- Acceptance of the credit agreement
A conventional bank account is not necessarily required. M-KOPA states that applicants can obtain a smartphone without having a bank account, provided they meet the identification and eligibility requirements.
M-KOPA Agents
M-KOPA distributes its products through a large direct sales-agent network.
In July 2026, the company reported more than 40,000 agents across its five operating countries.
An agent should:
- Carry valid identification
- Explain the total repayment terms
- Use official registration systems
- Avoid accepting cash
- Provide accurate product information
- Direct payments to approved channels
Customers should report any agent who demands cash or payment to a personal number.
Avoiding M-KOPA Scams
Customers should be cautious of impersonators using M-KOPA’s name and logo.
Warning signs include:
- Requests for cash
- Personal M-PESA numbers
- A Paybill other than 333222
- Requests for an M-PESA PIN
- Requests for one-time verification codes
- “Loan activation” charges
- Guaranteed loan promises
- Social-media accounts without verification
- Pressure to pay immediately
- Agents unwilling to identify their shop
M-KOPA directs customers to report suspected fraud or misleading conduct through [email protected].
Complaints and Account Disputes
Customers with a complaint should provide:
- Full name
- Registered telephone number
- M-KOPA account number
- Device model
- Date of purchase
- Payment transaction codes
- Description of the problem
- Previous support reference numbers
- Supporting photographs where relevant
Do not publish sensitive details publicly on Facebook, X or other social platforms.
Use M-KOPA’s official customer-care or complaint form.
Returns and Refunds
Return and refund rights depend on the product agreement and reason for returning the device.
M-KOPA’s terms state that credit payments already made can be non-refundable even where a product is returned under the applicable return provision.
Customers should ask for written clarification about:
- Cooling-off period
- Return deadline
- Device condition
- Deposit treatment
- Repayment treatment
- Outstanding balance
- Data deletion
- Collection process
Warranty and Repairs
M-KOPA phones carry warranty and service conditions that vary by model.
A warranty may not cover:
- Accidental damage
- Liquid damage
- Unauthorised repairs
- Physical modification
- Misuse
- Lost accessories
- Damage outside the warranty period
Device-protection benefits are separate from a manufacturer’s warranty.
Customers should visit an authorised service centre instead of using an unapproved technician, particularly while the device remains under financing.
Credit Reference Bureau Reporting
M-KOPA states that it reports customer payment histories to credit bureaus.
Positive repayments may help establish a credit record. Late or missed payments may negatively affect the customer’s score and future access to credit.
Where a customer has more than one financed product, each product may be reported separately.
Customers disputing inaccurate information should first contact M-KOPA and retain all payment records.
M-KOPA’s Current Scale
As of July 2026, M-KOPA reported:
- More than 10 million customers
- More than two million daily payments
- More than $2 billion in credit unlocked
- More than 40,000 sales agents
- Five active African markets
- More than 3.3 million smartphones produced in Kenya
- More than 400 workers at its Kenyan assembly operation
These are company-reported figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is M-KOPA?
M-KOPA is a fintech company that finances smartphones and other productive assets through deposits and small instalment payments.
When was M-KOPA founded?
M-KOPA was founded in 2011 and completed its first commercial solar sale in 2012.
Who is the M-KOPA CEO?
Jesse Moore is M-KOPA’s co-founder and chief executive.
How many customers does M-KOPA have?
M-KOPA announced on July 22, 2026 that it had reached 10 million customers across five African countries.
Which countries does M-KOPA operate in?
Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.
Does M-KOPA operate in Tanzania?
Tanzania appeared in older M-KOPA descriptions but is not included in the company’s current list of five operating markets.
What is the M-KOPA Paybill number?
The official Kenyan Paybill number is 333222.
Does M-KOPA accept cash?
No. M-KOPA says cash payments are not accepted by its stores or agents.
What is the M-KOPA Kenya customer-care number?
Call +254 707 333 222.
What is M-KOPA’s WhatsApp number?
The official Kenya WhatsApp number is +254 799 136 761.
Where is the M-KOPA office in Nairobi?
M-KOPA’s current contact page lists its Kenyan office at 21 Riverside Paddocks, Nairobi.
Can I get a smartphone without a bank account?
M-KOPA says a bank account is not required, although applicants need valid identification and must meet its eligibility requirements.
Can M-KOPA lock a phone?
A financed phone can be restricted when required repayments are missed, as provided in the customer agreement.
Does M-KOPA report customers to CRBs?
Yes. M-KOPA says it reports payment histories to credit-reference bureaus.
Can I get a cash loan from M-KOPA?
Eligible smartphone customers may receive digital-loan offers after developing an acceptable repayment history.
How long must I pay before qualifying for a loan?
Public M-KOPA pages refer to eligibility after approximately two or three months, but the actual period depends on the account and offer. Customers should rely on the eligibility notification displayed in their app or sent by M-KOPA.
Does M-KOPA provide insurance?
Selected smartphones include hospital cash cover and device-protection benefits, subject to policy conditions.
Does M-KOPA sell solar systems?
M-KOPA began as a solar-financing company, but its current public business is primarily centred on smartphones, financial services and electric mobility. Customers should confirm whether solar systems are currently available in Kenya.
Does M-KOPA sell TVs and refrigerators?
M-KOPA has financed these products historically, but they are not prominent in its current product portfolio. Availability should be confirmed directly.
Does M-KOPA finance electric motorcycles?
Yes. M-KOPA operates an electric-mobility financing business in Kenya.
Can I pay ahead?
Yes. M-KOPA’s terms permit repayments in advance. Customers should request the correct settlement balance before clearing an account.
How do I report an M-KOPA scam?
Contact M-KOPA customer care or email [email protected].
Final Word
M-KOPA has evolved from a Kenyan pay-as-you-go solar company into one of Africa’s largest smartphone-financing and digital-credit platforms.
Its model gives customers access to smartphones without requiring the entire purchase price upfront. It can also create access to loans, hospital cash cover, device protection and data.
However, customers should not judge an offer only by the daily repayment amount.
Before accepting an M-KOPA phone or loan, check:
- Initial deposit
- Total repayment
- Payment period
- Interest and charges
- Included benefits
- Device-locking conditions
- Credit-bureau reporting
- Insurance exclusions
- Repair and replacement fees
- Early-settlement balance
Make payments only through M-KOPA’s official app or Paybill 333222, and never hand cash to an agent.
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