Michael Joseph (businessman)

Michael Joseph is a Kenyan-Irish businessman best known for his role in pioneering mobile money transfer services in Africa. He served as the founding CEO of Safaricom, the largest mobile network operator in Kenya, from 2000 to 2010, during which time he spearheaded the development and launch of M-Pesa, a revolutionary mobile payment system.

Under Joseph's leadership, M-Pesa transformed financial inclusion in Kenya and beyond, providing access to financial services for millions of people previously excluded from the traditional banking system. The platform enabled users to send and receive money, pay bills, and access credit through their mobile phones.

Following his tenure at Safaricom, Joseph served in various advisory and leadership roles, including serving on the boards of several companies. He returned to Safaricom as interim CEO in 2019, after the death of Bob Collymore, and served until 2020. He has been recognised internationally for his contributions to mobile technology and financial inclusion in emerging markets. He has also held positions within Vodafone and has been actively involved in initiatives related to healthcare and environmental sustainability. His expertise is often sought by governments and organizations looking to replicate the success of M-Pesa in other regions.