M-PESA Charges 2026: The Ultimate Guide to Transaction and Withdrawal Fees
Making sense of the costs of mobile money in Kenya is a must if you want to stay on top of your personal and business finances. Whether you're using Lipa na M-PESA to pay for groceries, sending some cash to a family member, or perhaps withdrawing cash at an agent, understanding the current M-PESA charges for 2026 will help you avoid any un-warranted surprises and save a pretty penny or two.
In 2026, Safaricom decided to stick with the expanded transaction limits they introduced previously, making M-PESA an even more vital player in the Kenyan economy. Here's a straight-up breakdown of the latest M-PESA transaction charges and withdrawal fees.
M-PESA Transaction Limits for 2026: What You Need to Know
Before we dive into the fees, it's worth taking a look at the maximum amounts you can move around. Safaricom have tweaked these limits to support small businesses and high-volume users:
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Your Maximum Account Balance: KShs 500,000
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How Much Can You Send in a Day?: KShs 500,000
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The Maximum Amount per Transaction: KShs 250,000
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Your Minimum Transaction Amount: KShs 1
M-PESA Sending Money Charges for 2026: What You Really Want to Know
If you're looking for info on mpesa charges for sending money, it's worth noting that sending small amounts (under KShs 100) to other M-PESA users is currently free as a bird.
As for sending to other registered mobile money users like Airtel Money and Telkom T-Kash, the charges have been levelled out to promote interoperability - and keep things simple.
M-PESA to M-PESA & Other Registered Users
| Amount Range (KShs) | M-PESA / Other Mobile Users (KShs) |
| 1 – 49 | Free |
| 50 – 100 | Free |
| 101 – 500 | 7 |
| 501 – 1,000 | 13 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | 23 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | 33 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | 53 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | 57 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | 78 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | 90 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | 100 |
| 15,001 – 250,000 | 108 |
M-PESA Withdrawal Charges 2026: Watch Out for These Fees
When you need to get your hands on some cash, you'll come up against withdrawal charges. And let's be honest, these can vary quite a lot depending on how much you're pulling out. Just a heads up: you can't withdraw less than KShs 50 at an agent.
Withdrawal From M-PESA Agent
| Amount Range (KShs) | Agent Withdrawal Fee (KShs) |
| 50 – 100 | 11 |
| 101 – 500 | 29 |
| 501 – 2,500 | 29 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | 52 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | 69 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | 87 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | 115 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | 167 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | 185 |
| 20,001 – 35,000 | 197 |
| 35,001 – 50,000 | 278 |
| 50,001 – 250,000 | 309 |
Lipa Na M-PESA: Paybill and Buy Goods Charges - What You Need to Know
For shoppers and business owners, safaricom transaction charges for payments are a hot topic.
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Buy Goods (Till Number): Usually free for you. But it's worth noting that the merchant usually has to pay a small percentage (0.5% capped at KShs 200) - so they end up footing the bill.
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Paybill: Fees vary depending on whether a business has opted for "Customer Pays" or "Business Pays".
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If the customer pays, the charges are usually lower than sending cash directly.
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A little tip: If you're using Paybill and the amount is under KShs 100, it's usually free for the customer.
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ATM Withdrawal Charges - A Few Things to Be Aware Of
If you're going to pull out cash from an ATM instead of an agent, the fees are structured a bit differently.
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ATM Withdrawal Limit: Max KShs 35,000 per withdrawal.
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What You'll Pay: Charges usually range from KShs 35 to KShs 200, depending on the bank and the amount. Often, it's more cost-effective to pull out large amounts from an ATM rather than at an agent.
Don't Miss Out on Free M-PESA Services
In 2026, Safaricom continues to offer several services at no cost to the user:
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M-PESA Registration: Always Free.
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Depositing Money: Free at any agent.
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Buying Airtime via M-PESA: Free.
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M-PESA Balance Enquiry: Free on the App (USSD charges may apply).
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PIN Change: Free.
3 Quick Tricks to Save on M-PESA Charges
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Transact in Bulk: Instead of sending KShs 500 five times (costing KShs 35), just send KShs 2,500 once (costing KShs 33).
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Use the M-PESA App: The M-PESA Super App often features "No-Data" usage and gives you a clear breakdown of charges before you hit send - so you don't get any nasty surprises.
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Lipa na M-PESA: When you can, use Buy Goods instead of sending cash to a merchant's personal number to avoid paying the transfer fee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much can i send in a day if needed?
Starting in 2026 our daily limit is set at KShs 500,000.
How much does it cost to send KShs 100 to family & friends?
The good news is sending KShs 100 to a registered M-PESA user is absolutely free of charge.
Can i send cash to friends or family who dont have M-PESA yet?
Yes, it is possible, but be aware that withdrawal charges for unregistered users are a lot higher than the regular rates. It really pays off for both of you in the long run if they register their line first.
Do i pay any fee to reverse a M-PESA transaction i sent myself ?
No, you wont incur a charge if you initiate a reversal by sending your transaction code off to 456.
