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The app is a rival to Ethio telecom’s massive Telebirr platform, and observers say the state-owned operator is likely concerned that M-PESA might erode its customer base.
Safaricom-affiliate M-PESA Ethiopia has lodged complaints with the authorities, alleging that its new financial services app has been disabled by state-owned operator Ethio telecom.
M-PESA Lehulum, a telecom agnostic customer-centric financial services app that allows any Ethiopian to transact on Safaricom’s M-PESA mobile money platform, was launched on December 1.
This mobile application can be downloaded from any telecommunication network and provides simple and secure access to digital financial services. The app is designed to work with any SIM card, without SIM and across any telecom platform. Onboarding is through Fayda National ID’s eKYC system.
The app is a rival to Ethio telecom’s massive Telebirr platform, and observers say the state-owned operator is likely concerned that M-PESA might erode its customer base.
A public statement issued by M-PESA on Friday December 5, 2025, reads “We would like to inform the public that M-PESA Lehulum is currently not accessible on smartphones using mobile data services managed by Ethio telecom, leaving our customers unable to log in, transact, or retrieve their funds.”
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The app is fully approved by the regulator, the National Bank of Ethiopia and INSA, according to the statement. M-PESA Ethiopia is a stand-alone legal entity duly registered in Ethiopia and holder of a payment instrument issuer license from the central bank.
