Safaricom Inks Deal With The National Olympic Committee Of Kenya (NOC-K) And Visa For 2024 Paris Olympics

The KES 30 million sponsorship deal with NOCK grants Safaricom exclusivity as Team Kenya's Technology and Payments Partner. The partnership with Visa, will see 4 Kenyans win a trip for two to Paris to support Team Kenya at the Olympics

Nairobi, 8^th June 2024

Safaricom, through M-PESA has today announced its partnership deal with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) to support Team Kenya in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which will be held from Friday, 26 July 2024, to Sunday, 11 August 2024, in France.

Safaricom has come on board as the official technology, and payments partner for the Kenyan Olympic team, committing KES 30 million in cash and in kind, including, travel insurance for athlete’s, airtime and data bundles to support team Kenya. Safaricom will also offer financial literacy workshops and provide casual wear for athletes during their camps and workshop sessions.

Safaricom’s sponsorship deal for Team Kenya 2024 Paris Olympics will grant the company various rights, including the right to name the residential camps and training centres, the right to run a competition to design a new mascot, and the right to provide financial literacy workshops during residential training camps.

"This sponsorship reflects our commitment to supporting our athletes by empowering athletes with technological and financial tools. Our athletes have worked hard to prepare for the Olympics, our support to them is to ensure that they are also well prepared beyond the stadium thanks to the financial literacy workshops.” Said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom

Courtesy of a partnership with Visa, the Worldwide Payment Technology Partner of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, 4 Kenyans plus a companion each will also win a trip to Paris to support Team Kenya and witness the magic of the Olympics firsthand.

The trip package for the winners and their companions includes flights, accommodation, food, drinks, and stadium tickets for various events, thereby providing them with the ultimate Olympic experience.

Any transaction worth KES 1,500 and above made via the M-PESA GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card through the M-PESA App automatically enters the draw for a chance to win a trip to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“We are also excited to offer four Kenyans the chance to experience the Olympics in Paris with a companion, fostering national pride and unity. We believe in the power of sports to inspire and unite people, and we are honored to support Team Kenya's journey to success,” said Mr. Ndegwa.

“As the Worldwide Payment Technology Partner for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are thrilled about our partnership with Safaricom, a collaboration that brings together two innovative and customer-centric organizations. This is an exciting opportunity for M-PESA GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card customers and a testament to our commitment to making everyday transactions rewarding”, said Chad Pollock, Visa East Africa Vice President and General Manager. 

Esther Waititu, Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom (left), hands over a cheque of KES 30 million to Paul Tergat, President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (right), during the official Safaricom and Visa sponsorship partnership announcement to support Team Kenya at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The event was held at Hyatt Regency, Westland in Nairobi.

Chad Pollock-Vice President & Manager Visa East Africa (Left) and Esther Waititu, Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom (Right) displays a dummy ticket to Olympic games in Paris during the official partnership announcement held at Hyatt Regency, Westland in Nairobi.

From left: Zizwe Awuor- Director of Brand and Marketing at Safaricom, Paul Tergat- President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), Esther Waititu- Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom and Chad Pollock-Vice President & Manager Visa East Africa during the official Safaricom and Visa sponsorship partnership announcement to support Team Kenya at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The event was held at Hyatt Regency, Westland in Nairobi.

From left: Paul Tergat- President of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), Zizwe Awuor- Director of Brand and Marketing at Safaricom, Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala and Chad Pollock-Vice President & Manager Visa East Africa during the official Safaricom and Visa sponsorship partnership announcement to support Team Kenya at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The event was held at Hyatt Regency, Westland in Nairobi.