M-KOPA Acquires Finnish Software Firm KilpiTek for USD 8 M

M-KOPA, the Kenyan pay-as-you-go financing company, has acquired Finnish software developer KilpiTek Oy for USD 8 M, taking full ownership of the technology used to remotely restrict or lock financed smartphones when customers miss repayments.

The deal, which closed on March 26, 2026, involved about USD 2.67 M in cash, with the remaining USD 5.33 M paid through M-KOPA shares, deferred payments and other consideration.

KilpiTek’s software is central to M-KOPA’s smartphone financing model, effectively turning devices into collateral by restricting access when repayments fall behind.

The acquisition gives M-KOPA direct control over a critical part of its technology infrastructure, allowing it to adapt the locking system across devices from different manufacturers and reduce reliance on an external provider.