M-PESA Ethiopia and Gebeya Inc. have introduced Dala Studio, an AI-powered co-creation platform aimed at expanding digital opportunities for Ethiopian youth, entrepreneurs and professionals. The platform was announced in Addis Ababa on February 25, 2026, alongside the launch of the Dala AI Bundle, a subscription package that allows users to pay for AI tools directly through their M-PESA wallets.
The companies say the initiative is the first time in Ethiopia that AI-powered creation tools have been bundled and distributed through a mobile money platform. The move is designed to remove payment barriers for users who do not have access to international credit or debit cards, a challenge that has long limited access to subscription-based software in many African markets.
By linking AI tools to mobile money, the partnership positions M-PESA Ethiopia as more than a payments provider. It also gives Gebeya national-scale distribution through a platform that already has broad consumer trust.
“M-PESA is evolving beyond payments into a gateway for digital services. Together with Gebeya, we are expanding inclusive access to AI through a platform millions already trust,” said Elsa Muzzolini, CEO of M-PESA Ethiopia.
Amadou Daffe, CEO of Gebeya Inc., said the goal is practical empowerment. He noted that the launch enables every Ethiopian with a mobile phone to build and create in their own language.
Tools Built for Local Use
Under the Dala AI Bundle, subscribers gain access to Gebeya’s Dala Studio platform. The tools include app-building features, AI agent creation, game development, comic book generation and AI-assisted content production. Users can develop apps, websites, games and interactive experiences by simply describing what they want in their local language.
A key part of the platform’s value proposition is localization. Dala Studio supports Amharic, Afaan Oromo, Swahili and other local languages. The companies say this focus is intended to make the tools more relevant for Ethiopian users building products and content for domestic audiences.
The platform does not require coding skills. According to the announcement, users can build functional digital products in hours rather than months. For students preparing portfolios, startup founders testing ideas or small businesses exploring digital channels, this lowers both technical and time barriers.
The bundle also includes monetization features. Creators can launch products, offer subscriptions and grow digital businesses within the platform. Payments for premium features are processed through M-PESA, allowing users to unlock services instantly without relying on foreign payment systems.
The Dala AI Bundle is currently accessible on the Dala Studio platform. The companies said there are plans to make it available directly within the M-PESA application, a move that could further expand reach among users already active in the mobile money ecosystem.
Connecting Mobile Money and AI
The partnership reflects a broader shift in Ethiopia’s digital landscape. Mobile money platforms are increasingly looking beyond transfers and bill payments to offer additional digital services. For M-PESA Ethiopia, the bundle strengthens its position as a platform for digital access rather than only a transaction rail.
M-PESA Ethiopia, a subsidiary of Safaricom Ethiopia regulated by the National Bank of Ethiopia, began operations in August 2023 after receiving a payment instrument issuer license in May 2023. It has since focused on mobile-first financial services including transfers, merchant payments and airtime purchases.
For Gebeya, the launch builds on earlier collaboration with Safaricom-linked initiatives such as the Safaricom Talent Cloud, which has trained thousands of Ethiopian developers. The Dala AI Bundle extends that work from skills development to practical tool adoption, offering creators and entrepreneurs direct access to AI-powered production tools.
The companies did not disclose pricing details, subscriber targets or a timeline for full integration into the M-PESA app. However, they framed the launch as a step toward accelerating Ethiopia’s participation in the growing creator and developer economy.
