M-pesa: A Case Study of the Critical Early Adopters’ Role in the Rapid Adoption of Mobile Money Banking in Kenya

Abstract

This study reviews key factors that led to the phenomenal growth of mobile money banking services in Kenya using M-PESA, “mobile cash money”, the leading mobile money service provider as a case study. The study considers the outstanding challenges experienced by users, possible solutions and future trends. These aspects are covered through a critical review of existing literature, secondary data and a survey targeting mobile phone users living in the major urban centers, considered to be the early adopters of new technologies in Kenya. Several lessons learnt from the mobile money rollout in this Kenyan experience are identified for future researchers and practitioners.