Kenya’s dominant mobile operator Safaricom has partnered with local startup Dynamic Data Systems for the launch of M-Pesa payments tracking app M-Ledger.
M-Ledger was developed by Dynamic Data Systems during the inaugural Safaricom Appwiz Competition in 2013, and is the first in a series of commercial partnerships Safaricom says it intends to pursue with startups in support of “high potential mobile tech start-ups offering solutions to everyday problems in Kenya”.
“We strive to be the first to market with pioneering products that help transform the lives of our customers – but we are aware that we cannot innovate alone. Our partnership with Dynamic Data Systems signals our increasing commitment to build capacity in the local start-up community,” said Bob Collymore, chief executive officer (CEO) of Safaricom.
With the rise of M-Pesa as a payments solution for many organisations in Kenya, M-Ledger provides a simple mobile platform to record mobile money transactions, allowing users to view and manage their past transactions on their mobile device.
Data can be extracted into spreadsheet format, and also has a search functionality allowing users to view payments at a particular Lipa na M-Pesa till, for example.
Safaricom launched the Appwiz Competition last year with the intention of encouraging mobile tech startups that build innovative, relevant and attractive solutions for Kenyan consumers and enterprises.
M-Ledger was one of 18 apps developed during the inaugural competition last year, with the 2014 competition set for two weeks’ time.
“We launched the competition with the long-term intention of creating the foundation for a vibrant m-economy that is locally-driven. Today’s partnership cements the commitment we are making to continued partnerships to deliver that vision,” Collymore said.
Participants in the competition take part in an incubation period which sees them provided with business skills training – such an business planning, marketing and financial management.
