Safaricom, through its M-PESA brand, has committed KES 10 million towards the upcoming HSBC SVNS2 Rugby Sevens Tournament, scheduled for Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February 2026 at Nyayo National Stadium. The investment reinforces Safaricom’s long-standing support for Kenyan rugby and its broader role in enabling world-class sporting events through technology and financial services.
The HSBC SVNS2 tournament is part of the global HSBC SVNS rugby sevens series and will bring together elite men’s and women’s teams competing for promotion to HSBC SVNS Division 1. Kenya will host the event following successful bids by the Kenya Rugby Union, with national teams Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses leading the local charge in front of a home crowd.
Safaricom Named Official Technology Partner
Under the partnership, Safaricom will serve as the official technology partner for the tournament, providing end-to-end digital and communication support aimed at enhancing event delivery, media coverage, and fan engagement.
Key components of Safaricom’s support include the establishment of a fully equipped, world-class media centre, reliable high-speed internet connectivity across key functional areas of the stadium, and communication support through devices and airtime. These measures are designed to ensure seamless coordination between organisers, teams, broadcasters, and journalists covering the international event.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa praised the Kenya Rugby Union for securing hosting rights for the prestigious tournament, noting that Safaricom was proud to play a role in supporting both the sport and the broader ecosystem around it.
He said the company’s involvement goes beyond sponsorship to ensuring that players, fans, and media remain connected throughout the event, while also leveraging M-PESA’s digital platform to enhance the overall fan experience.
M-PESA App Offers Discounts and Fan Benefits
As part of the tournament experience, Safaricom will roll out special M-PESA App discount deals and exclusive Rugby BLIVE data bundles during the event period. Fans attending the matches will enjoy discounts on travel and transport services booked through the M-PESA App between 14th and 16th February 2026.
Customers who spend KSh 5,000 on trips and flight bookings will receive a 25 percent discount, while those spending KSh 1,500 on bus bookings will also enjoy a 25 percent reduction. Younger M-PESA users who spend KSh 250 will receive KSh 100 back on their trips.
The incentives are aimed at driving digital payments adoption while making it easier and more affordable for fans to attend the matches and travel during the tournament weekend.
Continued Investment in Kenyan Rugby
The KES 10 million commitment builds on Safaricom’s broader and long-term investment in Kenyan rugby through its M-PESA brand. M-PESA is currently the official sponsor of the national sevens teams, Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses, under a two-year partnership agreement with the Kenya Rugby Union.
The sponsorship, valued at over KES 100 million, supports player and official monthly allowances, comprehensive medical insurance, airtime allowances, and financial literacy programmes for players and team officials. Through its remittance subsidiary, Safaricom Money Transfer Services Limited, the company has focused on ensuring reliable and timely payment of salaries and allowances to players.
This structured financial support has been credited with improving player welfare, professionalism, and performance across Kenya’s national rugby teams.
Kenya Targets Promotion on Home Soil
The two-day HSBC SVNS2 tournament will see a total of 12 teams compete across the men’s and women’s categories. The men’s competition will feature Kenya, USA, Uruguay, Germany, Belgium, and Canada, all of whom qualified through the SVNS3 pathway.
In the women’s category, Kenya will face Brazil, Spain, China, South Africa, and Argentina, also qualifiers from SVNS3. For both Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses, the tournament represents a critical opportunity to secure promotion back to HSBC SVNS Division 1.
Kenya Lionesses captain Sheila Chajira said the team was eager to compete on home soil and thanked sponsors for their continued financial and institutional support, noting that it had played a key role in elevating performance on the pitch.
With Nyayo National Stadium expected to draw large crowds, organisers say the tournament will showcase fast-paced, high-intensity rugby while reinforcing Kenya’s growing reputation as a capable host of international sporting events.
Strengthening Sports, Technology, and Digital Payments
Safaricom’s involvement in the HSBC SVNS2 tournament reflects a broader strategy of using sports partnerships to strengthen brand engagement while demonstrating the practical application of its technology and digital financial services.
By combining connectivity infrastructure, digital payments, media enablement, and consumer incentives, the company is positioning M-PESA as an integral part of major national and international events, while supporting the growth of sports as an economic and social sector in Kenya.
As Kenya prepares to host the global rugby community in Nairobi, the partnership between Safaricom, M-PESA, and the Kenya Rugby Union underscores the increasing role of private sector support in advancing sports development, fan experience, and international visibility.
