The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and the M-PESA Foundation have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to advance quality and equitable access to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services in Kenya.

The collaboration will focus on strengthening the health system through enhanced access to emergency obstetric and newborn care, expanding access to skilled birth attendance, scaling up digital health innovations, and tackling obstetric fistula through prevention and treatment interventions.

“Our purpose at the M-PESA Foundation is to transform lives in the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with UNFPA to invest in solutions that improve Maternal, Newborn, and Child health. We believe that together we can deliver impact where needed most and restore dignity to women and girls,” M-Pesa Foundation Chairman Mr Nicholas Ng’ang’a said.

Up-to-date, maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kenya remain a key concern especially in underserved regions such as the arid and semi-arid lands and urban informal settlements. 

Maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain high with 355 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 21 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births despite commendable progress in skilled birth attendance. This is often attributed to deep-rooted inequities and limited access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare

UNFPA and the M-Pesa Foundation will work to ensure that no mother or child is left behind, regardless of their geography or social status.

Under this MoU, the two organizations will collaborate to champion policy reforms, strengthen community engagement for client-centered service delivery, and mobilize resources. They will also explore innovative financing approaches including partnerships with private sector players—to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.

“Today, through this Memorandum of Understanding, UNFPA Kenya and the M-Pesa Foundation are embarking on a truly transformative partnership. The M-Pesa Foundation, a leader in innovation and social responsibility, brings deep commitment and an unparalleled expertise, leveraging technology and expansive telecommunication networks. 

"This collaboration leverages the strengths of both organizations to address systemic inequities and ensure that no mother or newborn is left behind, regardless of their geography or social status,” said Mr. Anders Thomsen, UNFPA Representative to Kenya. 

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