M-Pesa, UAE Firm Ink Deal to Enable Stablecoin payment

M-Pesa Africa has entered a strategic partnership with an Abu Dhabi-based blockchain initiative, the ADI Foundation, to integrate stablecoin-enabled payment infrastructure into its renowned mobile money network across eight African markets , a move set to redefine digital payments and cross-border transactions on the continent. 

Under the agreement, the ADI Chain , a compliant, institutional-grade blockchain platform will be deployed across Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania, connecting more than 60 million monthly M-Pesa users to blockchain-powered financial services. 

A key feature of the collaboration is the planned rollout of stablecoin-based transactions, backed by a UAE dirham-pegged digital currency set to launch in early 2026. This stablecoin will provide users with faster, lower-cost alternatives to traditional cross-border money transfers and remittances — often constrained by slow settlement and high fees in conventional systems. 

The move also aligns with broader regulatory shifts in Africa, notably in Kenya, where new virtual asset service provider (VASP) laws now create clearer frameworks for digital currency innovation while maintaining strong anti-money-laundering and consumer-protection standards. 

For M-Pesa ,a pioneer in mobile money since its 2007 launch in Kenya  the deal represents its first major foray into regulated blockchain and stablecoin payments after years of a cautious approach due to earlier regulatory concerns. 

Analysts say the integration could boost financial inclusion and expand digital payment use cases across East and Southern Africa, by enabling quicker cross-border settlements, hedging against currency volatility, and unlocking new payment rails for commerce and remittances. 

The partnership also underscores a growing trend: Middle East-Africa fintech collaboration aimed at leveraging blockchain infrastructure for real-world payments, particularly as demand rises for efficient, compliant alternatives to traditional remittance channels. 

As rollout plans progress toward early-to-mid-2026 launch, industry observers will be watching how stablecoin integration with M-Pesa reshapes payment habits, especially among underbanked populations and cross-border traders seeking faster, cheaper transaction solutions across the region. 

West Arekameh