Under the deal, ADI’s blockchain network, known as ADI Chain, will support cross-border payments and other digital transactions using a stablecoin backed by the United Arab Emirates dirham. The rollout is expected to begin in early 2026.
Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to maintain a stable value by pegging them to traditional assets like the U.S. dollar or another fiat currency. They are widely seen by technologists and financial firms as a cheaper and faster alternative for international transfers, which can otherwise take days and incur high fees.
“M-Pesa has been amazing in terms of financial inclusion,” said Huy Nguyen Trieu, a member of the ADI Foundation’s advisory council, in a statement. “We believe we can push it further by providing the right digital infrastructure for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises.”
Launched in Kenya in 2007 by Safaricom, M-Pesa has become one of Africa’s most widely used financial platforms, allowing users to send, receive and store money on mobile phones without a traditional bank account. The mobile money service now generates a significant share of Safaricom’s revenue and has expanded into multiple African markets.
The partnership marks M-Pesa’s first major foray into blockchain and digital currencies, following the company’s previous cautious approach due to regulatory concerns, particularly in Kenya. Regulators in that jurisdiction have required virtual asset service providers to obtain licenses and comply with anti-money laundering and consumer protection standards.
ADI Foundation, owned by Abu Dhabi investment firm Sirius International Holding, the digital arm of the United Arab Emirates’ largest listed company, says it works with governments and regulators to build blockchain infrastructure that aligns with national priorities and compliance requirements.
For M-Pesa users and Africa’s broader digital economy, the deal could mark a significant shift toward integrating blockchain technology into everyday financial services. In markets across the continent, demand for digital asset infrastructure has surged, driven by cross-border trade, remittances, and efforts to hedge against currency instability.
In Kenya, for example, platforms that facilitate cryptocurrency and stablecoin transactions have grown in popularity, and analysts have documented increasing use of these assets for merchant settlements and regional commerce.
Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, chief executive of M-Pesa Africa, a joint venture between Safaricom and Vodacom, described the partnership as a “transformative” step that could expand how digital financial services are delivered to users.
As mobile money platforms like M-Pesa explore new technologies, their role in shaping Africa’s financial landscape continues to evolve, blending traditional mobile payments with emerging digital currency innovations.
