Country guides

Launching mobile money in Kenya

Kenya is the reference market for mobile money. Almost every adult uses it, so a new service must be clearly better for a specific group of customers. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) authorises e-money issuers and payment service providers.

This guide is also available in:English Français العربية Kiswahili

Successful new providers in Kenya serve a defined community: a bank's or SACCO's members, a merchant network, a sector such as transport or farming, or the diaspora.

Interoperability with the existing wallets and with banks is essential. A service that sends and receives across networks and banks, and pays merchants, is what customers expect.

The rules in brief

Regulator: Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)
Main texts: National Payment System Act, 2011, and the National Payment System Regulations, 2014
Licence routes: Authorisation as an e-money issuer or payment service provider; banks and SACCOs can also partner with a licensed provider
Minimum capital: KES 60 million core capital for an e-money issuer under the 2014 regulations
Interoperability: PesaLink (IPSL) for instant bank transfers; RTGS through KEPSS
KYC and limits: Tiered KYC with transaction and balance limits set by the CBK
Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES)

Summary of published texts, checked on 2026-10-16. Rules change: confirm the current text with the regulator or your lawyer before you apply.

Payment rails to connect

Mobile money: 3 main operators
Banks
National instant payments
Cards

KenyaCurrency: KES

Methods in Kenya

Mobile money
The country's mobile money networks
Adapter ready
Cards
Debit and credit cards through your acquirer
Adapter ready
Wallet
Your own wallet (with our mobile money product)
Adapter ready
Bank transfer
Account to account, through your bank partners
On agreement

Payouts to: mobile money · bank account

Each row is a method type; the networks behind it are set up in your back office as you connect them. Cards go through the acquirer you choose. The list grows as you sign rails.

Launching with PesaBridge, step by step

Choose your licence route: your own licence, a partner bank or e-money issuer, or a licensed aggregator.

Build your proposal online: countries, payment rails and plan, in 10 minutes.

We set up the platform, your brand and the payment rails while you finish the licence file.

Test with a pilot group of customers, agents and merchants, and with the regulator where required.

Go live, recruit agents and merchants, and add services and countries as you grow.

Questions

Can a SACCO launch its own wallet?

Yes, through a partnership with a licensed provider or its own authorisation. PesaBridge connects the wallet to member savings and loans.

Can customers pay to other mobile money wallets?

Yes. Each mobile money operator and PesaLink connect as rails, so customers can send to other networks and banks.

Can the apps run in Swahili?

Yes. The apps run in English and Swahili.

Central Bank of Kenya: National Payment System

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