Safaricom revises M-Pesa charges periodically, and staying on top of the current fee structure can save you hundreds of shillings every month — especially if you send money frequently, run a business, or manage multiple bill payments. This guide covers every M-Pesa charge currently in effect for 2026, complete with full fee tables, real examples, and practical tips to reduce what you pay.
How M-Pesa Fees Work
M-Pesa fees are tiered by transaction amount — the larger the amount, the higher the absolute fee, though the percentage cost generally falls as amounts increase. There are four main transaction types to understand:
- Send Money — transferring funds to another M-Pesa user (registered) or to a non-M-Pesa number (unregistered)
- Withdraw — cashing out from an M-Pesa agent or ATM
- Lipa na M-Pesa (Paybill) — paying bills such as utilities, banks, and government services
- Lipa na M-Pesa (Buy Goods) — paying at retail till numbers
Understanding which transaction type you are using — and whether there is a cheaper alternative — is the first step to reducing your M-Pesa costs.
Send Money Charges 2026
Sending money to a registered M-Pesa user (someone who has an M-Pesa account on Safaricom) is always cheaper than sending to an unregistered recipient. Unregistered recipients receive an SMS voucher they can redeem at an agent, which involves more manual processing — hence the higher fee.
| Amount (KES) | Registered User Fee | Unregistered User Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 100 | Free | Free |
| 101 – 500 | KES 7 | KES 18 |
| 501 – 1,000 | KES 13 | KES 22 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | KES 23 | KES 35 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | KES 33 | KES 55 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | KES 53 | KES 77 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | KES 57 | KES 88 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | KES 78 | KES 105 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | KES 90 | KES 115 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | KES 100 | KES 145 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | KES 105 | KES 163 |
| 20,001 – 35,000 | KES 108 | KES 180 |
| 35,001 – 50,000 | KES 108 | KES 197 |
| 50,001 – 150,000 | KES 108 | KES 222 |
Key insight: For amounts above KES 20,000, the registered user fee is flat at KES 108 regardless of amount. Sending KES 149,999 costs the same fee as sending KES 20,001 — so if you are going to pay KES 108 either way, consider sending in one larger transaction rather than multiple smaller ones.
Withdrawal (Cash Out) Charges 2026
Withdrawing cash from an M-Pesa agent or Safaricom ATM incurs a withdrawal fee. These are separate from send money fees and apply whenever you convert your M-Pesa balance to physical cash.
| Amount (KES) | Withdrawal Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 – 100 | Free |
| 101 – 500 | KES 11 |
| 501 – 1,000 | KES 22 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | KES 33 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | KES 33 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | KES 35 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | KES 55 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | KES 77 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | KES 88 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | KES 99 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | KES 105 |
| 20,001 – 35,000 | KES 108 |
| 35,001 – 50,000 | KES 111 |
| 50,001 – 150,000 | KES 111 |
Practical tip: If you regularly withdraw large amounts, consider using your bank account linked to M-Pesa — transferring to your bank via Paybill (free) and then using your bank's ATM or debit card often costs less than a direct M-Pesa agent withdrawal.
Lipa na M-Pesa: Paybill Charges
This is where M-Pesa gives Kenyans significant value: Paybill transactions are free of charge to the sender in virtually all cases. When you pay your electricity bill (KPLC Paybill 888880), deposit money into your bank account (e.g., Equity Paybill 247247), or pay school fees, you pay KES 0 in M-Pesa transaction fees.
The business receiving the payment may pay a merchant fee to Safaricom, but this is not passed on to you as the sender. This makes Paybill the most cost-effective way to move money between M-Pesa and bank accounts, pay utility bills, or make government payments.
Paybill vs Send Money: The Smart Arbitrage
Many Kenyans lose money by using "Send Money" when they should be using Paybill. If you are topping up a family member's bank account at Equity, KCB, or Co-op, use Paybill — not Send Money. The fee difference on a KES 10,000 transfer is KES 100 (send money fee) vs KES 0 (Paybill). Do that twice a month and you have saved KES 2,400 per year.
Lipa na M-Pesa: Buy Goods (Till Numbers) Charges
Payments made at shops, restaurants, and businesses via a till number are also free to the buyer. You pay no fee when scanning a till number at a supermarket, fuel station, or any merchant using M-Pesa. The merchant bears a small processing cost on their end.
This makes Buy Goods one of the most financially sensible payment methods in Kenya — unlike card payments which may incur charges depending on the card type.
Fuliza M-Pesa Charges (Overdraft)
Fuliza is M-Pesa's overdraft facility — it lets you complete transactions when your M-Pesa balance is insufficient. However, it comes at a cost that many users underestimate.
| Fuliza Amount (KES) | Daily Maintenance Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 – 100 | KES 2 per day |
| 101 – 500 | KES 5 per day |
| 501 – 1,000 | KES 10 per day |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | KES 15 per day |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | KES 20 per day |
| 2,501 – 70,000 | KES 30 per day |
Fuliza fees accrue every single day until the borrowed amount is repaid. A KES 1,500 Fuliza balance that you carry for 7 days costs KES 140 (7 × KES 20) — an effective annual interest rate exceeding 2,000%. Fuliza is a short-term bridge, not a loan product. Repay it the same day or the next day whenever possible.
M-Shwari Charges
M-Shwari, operated by NCBA Bank and accessible via *456#, has its own fee structure:
- Saving (locking funds): Free
- Withdrawing savings to M-Pesa: Free
- Loan fee: 7.5% one-time facilitation fee on the loan amount (charged upfront)
- Loan term: 30 days — if not repaid, a 7.5% rollover fee applies
A KES 5,000 M-Shwari loan costs KES 375 for 30 days. If you roll it over, you pay another KES 375. Unlike Fuliza, the fee is fixed — not daily — making it more predictable for planned short-term borrowing.
M-Pesa Global (International Transfers) Charges
Sending money internationally via M-Pesa Global is significantly more expensive than domestic transfers. Fees vary by destination country and amount, but generally range from 1–4% of the transaction value. For international remittances, dedicated services like Wise, Sendwave, or WorldRemit typically offer better rates than M-Pesa Global for most corridors.
M-Pesa Daily and Transaction Limits
| Limit Type | Amount (KES) |
|---|---|
| Maximum single transaction | KES 150,000 |
| Maximum daily send limit | KES 300,000 |
| Maximum M-Pesa wallet balance | KES 300,000 |
| Minimum Send Money amount | KES 1 |
| Minimum Withdraw amount | KES 50 |
Note: Limits for M-Pesa Business and M-Pesa Global accounts differ. Business accounts can have higher daily limits approved by Safaricom.
5 Ways to Reduce Your M-Pesa Fees
1. Use Paybill for Bank Deposits
Never use Send Money to deposit money into a family member's bank account. Every major bank has a Paybill number. The transfer is free, instant, and goes directly into the bank account.
2. Consolidate Transactions
For amounts above KES 20,000, the fee is flat at KES 108. Instead of sending KES 10,000 twice (2 × KES 90 = KES 180), send KES 20,000 once (KES 108) and save KES 72.
3. Pay Bills Directly via Paybill
Use Paybill to pay KPLC, water bills, NHIF, NSSF, and school fees. Never send money to a person who will then pay the bill on your behalf — you pay twice (once to send, once is wasted on their withdrawal).
4. Repay Fuliza Immediately
Fuliza daily fees add up fast. Set a reminder to repay within 24 hours whenever you use it. If Fuliza is a regular habit, consider applying for a proper emergency loan product with more transparent terms.
5. Withdraw in One Large Amount
Three withdrawals of KES 3,000 cost 3 × KES 35 = KES 105. One withdrawal of KES 9,000 costs KES 88. Plan withdrawals to minimise the number of transactions.
Are M-Pesa Fees Going Up in 2026?
Safaricom has maintained broadly the same fee structure since the 2022 tariff revision. While the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) continues to review mobile money fees, no official reduction has been announced for 2026. The current structure has been in place since late 2022 and remains the applicable tariff at the time of publication.
For the most current official fee schedule, always check the Safaricom M-Pesa terms and conditions page or dial *334# and navigate to "My Account → Transaction Costs."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to receive money on M-Pesa?
Yes — M-Pesa does not charge the recipient any fee. Only the sender pays the transaction fee.
Why did my Paybill payment fail but the money left my M-Pesa?
If a Paybill payment fails after funds are deducted, the money is typically reversed automatically within 24 hours. If not, call Safaricom on 0722 000 100 with your M-Pesa transaction ID.
Does M-Pesa charge for checking balance?
No — dialling *334*0# to check your M-Pesa balance is free.
What is the cheapest way to send KES 50,000 via M-Pesa?
If the recipient has a bank account, use Paybill — it is free. If sending directly to M-Pesa, the fee is KES 108 for KES 50,000, which is the flat maximum fee for registered user transfers.