The artificial intelligence revolution in Africa is unfolding in real time, powered not by global tech giants alone, but by local innovation tailored to African realities.

In a landmark move, Gebeya Inc. has partnered with M‑PESA Ethiopia to launch the Dala AI Bundle, a subscription service that allows Ethiopians to access advanced AI creation tools and pay using their mobile wallets.

This marks a historic first, as an African mobile money platform integrates AI-powered creative tools into its mainstream offerings, effectively removing traditional financial barriers such as credit card requirements.

For millions of Ethiopians, this innovation represents more than convenience—it represents access.

By leveraging the widespread adoption of M‑PESA, artificial intelligence is being placed directly into the hands of everyday users.

From students and entrepreneurs to storytellers and developers, anyone with a mobile phone can now create digital assets, build applications, or develop AI-driven content.

This shift signals a new era where Africa is not merely consuming AI technology but actively shaping and building it.

Mobile Money Meets AI Creation

The Dala AI Bundle introduces a suite of localized AI tools available through the Dala Studio platform, designed specifically for African creators.

These tools enable users to build apps, create AI agents, design games, generate comics, and produce AI-powered content in local languages such as Amharic and Oromo.

This localization is critical, as language accessibility has historically been a major barrier to digital participation across Africa.

By enabling payments through M-PESA wallets, the partnership eliminates reliance on international banking infrastructure, which has often excluded millions from participating in digital economies.

According to Gebeya CEO Amadou Daffe, the initiative is about empowering Africans to build their own digital futures.

He emphasized that students, merchants, and creators across Ethiopian cities can now develop digital products in their own languages, using tools previously out of reach.

This initiative builds on Gebeya’s earlier collaboration with Safaricom through the Safaricom Talent Cloud, which trained thousands of Ethiopian developers.

However, the Dala AI Bundle goes a step further by moving from training to direct empowerment, giving users immediate access to AI creation tools.

The bundle will be accessible through the Dala Studio platform and integrated into the M-PESA application, ensuring seamless adoption and widespread reach.

More importantly, the integration of AI into mobile money platforms transforms mobile wallets from simple financial tools into gateways for digital productivity.

Elsa Muzzolini, CEO of M-PESA Ethiopia, described the initiative as a critical evolution, positioning M-PESA as a platform that enables access to advanced digital services, not just financial transactions.

Strategic Impact and Africa’s Digital Future

The partnership carries profound implications for Ethiopia’s digital economy and Africa’s broader technological trajectory.

By combining AI accessibility with mobile payment infrastructure, the initiative democratizes innovation, allowing individuals without traditional resources to participate in the global digital economy.

This approach aligns with Ethiopia’s broader digital transformation agenda and strengthens its position as an emerging technology hub.

For M-PESA Ethiopia, the collaboration expands its role beyond financial services into digital enablement, creating new opportunities within the country’s growing creator and developer ecosystem.

For Gebeya, the partnership validates its AI bundle model at a national scale, leveraging M-PESA’s extensive distribution network to reach millions.

More broadly, the initiative reflects a significant shift in Africa’s AI narrative.

Instead of relying solely on foreign-built tools, African companies are creating and distributing AI solutions designed specifically for African users.

This ensures cultural relevance, language inclusion, and economic empowerment. It also enables African creators to build locally relevant solutions while competing globally.

As mobile penetration continues to rise across Africa, integrating AI into widely used platforms like M-PESA could accelerate innovation across sectors, including education, entertainment, commerce, and software development.

The model demonstrates how combining existing infrastructure with emerging technologies can unlock unprecedented opportunities.

Conclusion

The partnership between Gebeya and M-PESA Ethiopia represents more than a technological milestone—it represents a structural shift in how artificial intelligence is accessed and utilized in Africa.

By removing payment barriers and delivering AI tools directly through mobile platforms, the Dala AI Bundle empowers millions to transition from technology consumers to creators.

This initiative signals the emergence of a new digital ecosystem where AI is accessible, localized, and inclusive.

It demonstrates that Africa’s technological future will not be defined solely by external innovation, but by homegrown solutions tailored to its people.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to economic growth and creative expression, initiatives like this ensure that Africa is not left behind but positioned at the forefront of the global digital revolution.