Safaricom M-Pesa is one of the most used “unbanked” financial services in Kenya, attracting 37.9 million one-month active M-Pesa customers in Kenya as of September 2025 (H1 FY26), illustrating how trusted the service has become since its initial launch in 2007. If you are an everyday M-Pesa user, every M-Pesa transaction you make in 2026 comes with a fee that varies based on the amount and transaction type.
Each year, Safaricom reviews and updates M-Pesa transaction charges. These changes are based on the national Finance Bill, which is usually updated in May or June and takes effect in July. As of 2026, Safaricom has not announced new M-Pesa charges, so the 2025 rates still apply. Any updates are usually shared by May or June to match the Finance Bill review.
So what are the M-Pesa transaction fees? Or perhaps how much is the M-Pesa withdrawal fee in 2026? These are but a few questions that in this comprehensive guide we will tackle and address. Here is all that you need to know.
M-Pesa Send Money Charges 2026
Sending money through M-Pesa remains one of the most convenient ways to transfer funds in Kenya. The charges depend on the amount you’re sending and whether the recipient is registered on M-Pesa, Airtel Money, or T-Kash, as mentioned earlier in our opening paragraph.
The change that remains vital from previous (pre-2024 years) is that the cost of sending money via M-PESA has been standardized across different networks. This means sending Ksh1,000 to another Safaricom user costs the same as sending it to Airtel Money or Telkom’s T-Kash, which is now Ksh 13.
At the same time, transfers to unregistered mobile money users have been discontinued to prevent fraud and money laundering. All recipients must have an active mobile money account to receive funds.
Below are the M-PESA transaction charges in 2026 when you send cash to registered M-PESA users and other users on other networks:
| Amount Range (Ksh) | To M-Pesa/Airtel/T-Kash |
|---|---|
| 1 – 49 | Free |
| 50 – 100 | Free |
| 101 – 500 | Ksh7 |
| 501 – 1,000 | Ksh13 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | Ksh23 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | Ksh33 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | Ksh53 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | Ksh57 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | Ksh78 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | Ksh90 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | Ksh100 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | Ksh105 |
| 20,001 – 35,000 | Ksh108 |
| 35,001 – 50,000 | Ksh108 |
| 50,001 – 250,000 | Ksh108 |
NB: The maximum amount you can send per transaction is Ksh250,000. Your daily transaction limit and maximum account balance are both capped at KSh500,000. These limits apply to all M-Pesa accounts in Kenya.
M-Pesa Withdrawal Charges 2026
As for withdrawing cash from M-Pesa agents, it costs significantly more than sending money. While it costs Ksh13 to send Ksh1,000, withdrawing the same amount costs Ksh29. This difference encourages cashless transactions within the M-Pesa ecosystem.
As per Safaricom’s official data, the minimum withdrawal amount at any M-Pesa agent is KSh50, and thus amounts below this cannot be withdrawn. In addition, as per Safaricom, the maximum single withdrawal is Ksh250,000, which incurs a charge of Ksh309.
For a comprehensive M-Pesa withdrawal amounts, below is the full table:
| Amount Range (Ksh) | Charge (Ksh) |
|---|---|
| 1 – 49 | N/A |
| 50 – 100 | Ksh11 |
| 101 – 500 | Ksh29 |
| 501 – 1,000 | Ksh29 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | Ksh29 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | Ksh29 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | Ksh52 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | Ksh69 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | Ksh87 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | Ksh115 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | Ksh167 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | Ksh185 |
| 20,001 – 35,000 | Ksh197 |
| 35,001 – 50,000 | Ksh278 |
| 50,001 – 250,000 | Ksh309 |
The only transaction range where withdrawal charges are lower than send money fees is Ksh2,501 to Ksh3,500. In this bracket, withdrawal costs Ksh52 compared to the Ksh53 send money charge.
M-Pesa ATM Withdrawal Charges 2026
Aside from making withdrawals via the 300,000 M-Pesa agents spread all over the country, you can withdraw cash from your M-Pesa account using ATMs without a bank card. This service works at most bank ATMs across Kenya, giving you 24/7 access to your funds, but they also incur charges as follows:
| Minimum (Ksh) | Maximum (Ksh) | Charge (Ksh) |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | 2,500 | Ksh35 |
| 2,501 | 5,000 | Ksh69 |
| 5,001 | 10,000 | Ksh115 |
| 10,001 | 35,000 | Ksh203 |
To withdraw from an ATM using M-Pesa, here are the precise steps that you need to follow:
- Dial *334# or open your M-Pesa app
- Select “Withdraw Cash” then “From ATM”.
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw
- Confirm with your M-Pesa PIN
- You’ll receive a unique code via SMS
- Visit any participating ATM within 3 hours
- Enter the code at the ATM to collect your cash
Free M-Pesa Transactions
Not every M-Pesa transaction costs money. Safaricom offers several services at zero cost:
- All deposits to your M-Pesa account
- M-Pesa registration
- Buying airtime
- PIN changes
- Reversals
- M-PESA Balance Enquiry
What is the daily limit for M-Pesa?
M-Pesa transaction and account limits have evolved over the years to accommodate customer needs and regulatory guidance. The last major revision before 2023 was in March 2020, when Safaricom adjusted transaction limits and account balances.
In 2023, following approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Safaricom increased the maximum daily transaction and account limits from KSh 150,000 to KSh 500,000. While these limits were increased, the per-transaction limit remained at KSh 250,000, allowing customers to make multiple transactions in a day as long as the total does not exceed the daily maximum.
As of 2026, the full M-Pesa limits applicable to all users are as follows:
- Maximum Account Balance: KSh 500,000
- Maximum Daily Transaction Value: KSh 500,000
- Maximum Per Transaction Limit: KSh 250,000
- Minimum Withdrawal at an Agent: KSh 50
- Minimum ATM Withdrawal: KSh 200
Questions And Answers About M-Pesa Charges
What is the cheapest way to send money via M-Pesa?
Amounts between Ksh1 and Ksh100 are completely free to send. For larger amounts, sending directly to another M-Pesa user costs less than withdrawing cash and handing it over.
How much does it cost to send KSh 1,000 via M-Pesa in 2026?
Sending Ksh1,000 to any registered M-Pesa, Airtel Money, or T-Kash user costs Ksh13. This rate applies across all mobile money networks in Kenya.
What’s the maximum amount I can send via M-Pesa?
The maximum per transaction is Ksh250,000. You can transact up to Ksh500,000 daily across all M-Pesa transactions.
How do I reverse a wrong M-Pesa transaction?
Send the transaction confirmation SMS to 456 immediately. Safaricom will process the reversal if the recipient hasn’t withdrawn the money. You can also call 100 (PrePay) or 200 (PostPay) for assistance.
How much does it cost to send KSh 100?
It costs Ksh 7 to send money to another M-Pesa user and other Networks
How to Send Money via M-Pesa
You can initiate a send money transaction using three methods:
- Dial *334# on your Safaricom line
- Use the Safaricom SIM toolkit menu
- Download the M-Pesa app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store
Select “Send Money,” enter the recipient’s phone number, input the amount, and confirm with your M-Pesa PIN. The transaction completes instantly, and both you and the recipient receive SMS confirmations.
