Kenya

A global pioneer in mobile money and financial inclusion

Overview

Kenya is internationally recognized as the birthplace of mobile money and remains one of the most advanced digital payment ecosystems in Africa

The launch of M-Pesa transformed how consumers and businesses transact, making mobile wallets and digital transfers central to daily commerce

Financial inclusion, fintech growth, and innovation in cross-border payments continue to drive Kenya’s payment evolution

Key Characteristics

Mobile money dominates both urban and rural transactions

Strong interoperability between telecom-led and bank-led payment systems

Digital payments integrated into e-commerce, utilities, and remittances

Rapid growth in QR code and contactless payment solutions

Supported Payment Methods

M-Pesa mobile money

Airtel Money and T-Kash

Bank transfers and card payments via Visa and Mastercard

QR code payments and digital wallets

Emerging fintech solutions for cross-border transactions

Key Providers

Safaricom through M-Pesa remains the dominant provider in mobile payments

Banks such as Equity Bank and KCB drive digital financial innovation

Fintechs like Flutterwave, Cellulant, and Pesapal support merchant acquiring and global connectivity

Regulation and Compliance

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) oversees payments under the National Payment System Act focusing on interoperability, consumer protection, and digital security

The regulatory environment encourages innovation while ensuring stability and trust across payment systems

Want to know more about payments in Kenya?

Contact Bizz2Pay today to discuss your requirements or get introduced to the right Payment Provider covering the most popular payment methods offered in Kenya