Kenya M-PESA to hide phone numbers in transactions

Safaricom will phase out displaying full phone numbers in M-PESA transactions starting next week. The change affects peer-to-peer transfers first, then merchant payments and bank transfers by next year. While enhancing privacy by preventing scammers from using transaction alerts to target victims, it creates challenges for small businesses relying on SMS for reconciliation. Schools, landlords, and water companies use phone numbers to match payments to individuals. The move reflects Kenya's shift from social trust-based systems to formal digital infrastructure, though it introduces new friction in dispute resolution. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa acknowledged the inconvenience but emphasized security priorities. The rollout follows Kenya's 2019 Data Protection Act and 2024 amendments, which increased legal risks for data leaks.

SOURCE: https://techcabal.com/2026/03/23/the-end-of-the-phone-numbers-in-m-pesa-as-we-know-it/