Nairobi, Kenya – Kenyan families now have access to a vast digital library of children’s books directly through the M-Pesa App, thanks to a new partnership with the international non-profit Worldreader.
The leading mobile money service provider’s collaboration with Worldreader’s BookSmart app offers over 2,700 books in English and Kiswahili at no cost.
This initiative, aimed at children aged 3 to 12, is already showing success.
A recent “Get Kenya Reading” campaign, run in partnership with Pottermore Publishing, saw hundreds of children explore the magical world of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which was made freely available on the BookSmart platform.
To celebrate this achievement, Worldreader and Pottermore Publishing will host an exclusive tea party on Saturday, 6 December 2025, at Imaara Mall in Nairobi.
The event will honour 300 young “Reading Champions” who completed the book between July and December.
These dedicated readers will each receive a Reading Heroes certificate and a paperback copy of the novel, generously donated by Bloomsbury Publishing.
The partnership aims to address a critical educational gap, as 80% of 10-year-olds in Kenya struggle to read and understand a simple story. By providing free, convenient access to books, the initiative encourages families to develop a daily reading habit.
“By bringing BookSmart into the M-Pesa App, families can now access thousands of quality books from the convenience of their phones,” said Olivia Kimani, Worldreader’s Director of Partnerships.
This view was echoed during the reading campaign.
“This celebration is about more than one book – it is about building a joyful reading routine and a culture of learning,” said Elizabeth Wasunna Ochwa, Board Chair at Worldreader Kenya.
The collaboration is a key part of Worldreader’s five-year commitment to help one million Kenyan families start reading by 2030, turning any smartphone into a powerful personal library.
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