MPesa transaction charges have become a controversial topic in Kenya, as they have the potential to discourage users from utilizing digital payment platforms. Generally, these fees can vary depending on the provider and the specific payment method being used, but they can significantly increase the overall cost of making an online transaction.
According to a recent study, the average transaction charge for online payments in Kenya is about 2.5% of the total amount being paid. This may not seem like a significant amount, but for large or frequent transactions, these charges can add up quickly. For small businesses or individuals with limited financial resources, these fees can be a significant burden.
Despite the potential drawbacks, digital payment providers argue that transaction charges are necessary to maintain their operations and provide a high level of service to their users. Running and maintaining a payment platform requires significant investments in technology, infrastructure, and security measures. These costs must be covered in order to keep the platform running smoothly and securely.
Additionally, digital payment providers must also compete with traditional financial institutions, which often have their own fees and charges for similar services. In order to stay competitive, digital payment providers may need to charge their own fees in order to generate revenue and remain profitable. Below is a list of MPesa transaction charges;
MPesa Transaction Charges
M-Pesa has a range of transaction charges for different types of services. Here are some of the charges for M-Pesa transactions in Kenya:
- Depositing money into your M-Pesa account: Free
- Withdrawing money from an MPesa agent outlet:
Range
Charges
Amount Transaction Cost
Ksh 1 - Ksh 49 Free
Ksh 50 - Ksh 100 Ksh 10
Ksh 101 - Ksh 500 Ksh 27
Ksh 501 - Ksh 2,500 Ksh 28
Ksh 2,501 - Ksh 3,500 Ksh 50
Ksh 3,501 - Ksh 5,000 Ksh 67
Ksh 5,001 - Ksh 7,500 Ksh 84
Ksh 7,501 - Ksh 10,000 Ksh 112
Ksh 10,001 - Ksh 15,000 Ksh 162
Ksh 15,001 - Ksh 20,000 Ksh 180
Ksh 20,001 - Ksh 35,000 Ksh 191
Ksh 35,001 - Ksh 50,000 Ksh 270
Ksh 50,001 - Ksh 150,000 Ksh 300
- Transfer charges to other MPesa and mobile money users;
Transfer Range
Charges
Ksh 1 - Ksh 100 Free
Ksh 101 - Ksh 500 Ksh 6
Ksh 501 - Ksh 1,000 Ksh 12
Ksh 501 - Ksh 1,000 Ksh 22
Ksh 1,501 - Ksh 2,500 Ksh 32
Ksh 2,501 - Ksh 3,500 Ksh 51
Ksh 3,501 - Ksh 5,000 Ksh 55
Ksh 5,001 - Ksh 7,500 Ksh 75
Ksh 7,501 - Ksh 10,000 Ksh 87
Ksh 10,001 - Ksh 15,000 Ksh 97
Ksh 15,001 - Ksh 20,000 Ksh 102
Ksh 20,001 - Ksh 35,000 Ksh 105
Ksh 35,001 - Ksh 50,000 Ksh 105
Ksh 50,001 - Ksh 150,000 Ksh 105
- M-Pesa statement (requesting a transaction history): KES 20 per request.
- M-Pesa account balance inquiry: Free
Why People Use MPesa
It is versatile
M-Pesa is a versatile service that can be used for a wide range of transactions. In addition to sending and receiving money, users can also pay for goods and services, transfer money to other M-Pesa users, pay bills, and more. This versatility makes M-Pesa a convenient and useful tool for many people. M-Pesa can be used for both personal and business transactions, making it a valuable resource for a variety of users.
Individuals can use M-Pesa to quickly and securely send money to family members or to pay bills on time. Businesses can use M-Pesa to make purchases, accept payments from customers, pay suppliers, and even manage payroll. With M-Pesa, users can make the most of their financial resources and ensure that their transactions are safe and secure. M-Pesa is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to make the most of their money.
It offers low-cost services
While M-Pesa does have transaction charges, these charges are generally lower than the fees charged by traditional banks for similar services. This makes M-Pesa an affordable option for many people. M-Pesa's low costs make it particularly attractive for users who may not have access to traditional financial services, or who may not be able to afford the fees charged by banks. Not only does this make it more accessible for people in rural areas, but it also provides a secure platform for people to transfer funds between family members and business partners. This is especially beneficial in countries where basic banking services are not widely available.
Convenience
M-Pesa is a highly convenient service that allows users to easily send and receive money, pay for goods and services, and transfer money to other M-Pesa users, all with their mobile phones. This eliminates the need for users to visit a bank or financial institution in person, saving them time and effort. M-Pesa is also available 24/7, so users can access the service anytime, anywhere.
With M-Pesa, users can easily send money to family and friends, pay for purchases, and make other financial transactions without having to worry about physically going to a bank or other financial institution. The process is simple and easy to understand; users simply enter the amount they wish to send or pay, select the beneficiary, enter their PIN, and the money is sent or paid. That’s all it takes to send or pay with M-Pesa. All transactions are secure and fully traceable so users can have peace of mind when sending or paying with M-Pesa.
MPesa is available in different countries
M-Pesa is available in many countries in Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Ghana. This wide availability makes it easy for users to access and use the service, regardless of their location. M-Pesa has a large network of agents and partners, making it easy for users to find a location where they can deposit or withdraw money, or complete other transactions. M-Pesa is also available on a wide range of mobile devices, making it accessible to a large number of people. The service is secure and reliable, with a host of features and options to help users manage their accounts easily.
Transactions are processed faster
M-Pesa transactions are usually processed quickly, often within a few minutes. This is faster than many traditional bank transactions, which can take several days to complete. With M-Pesa, users can send and receive money, pay for goods and services, and complete other transactions in real-time, without having to wait for their transactions to be processed. This is convenient for customers trying to pay for something in a hurry, and for businesses who don’t want to wait for a money transfer to be processed.
Security
M-Pesa is a secure service that uses strong measures to protect users' financial information and transactions. These measures include encryption, secure servers, and secure log-in processes. M-Pesa also has strict policies in place to prevent fraud and protect users' accounts. With M-Pesa, users can feel confident that their financial information and transactions are secure. M-Pesa also offers an added layer of protection with its strict fraud prevention policies. These policies ensure that all users' accounts are secure and that any unauthorized access is immediately identified and blocked.
Does IntaSend Charges as Much as M-Pesa?
One of IntaSend’s many strengths is its pricing, which users find very amusing and cost-effective. IntaSend allows users to send as much as they want, at very cheap prices. Local card payments only attract 3.5% per transaction while international card payments attract up to 4.5% per transaction. This is a very low cost compared to what other digital payment providers charge. With these fees, users have access to mouth-watering features like multi-currency settlements, Visa and MasterCard support, API access and payment SDKs, fraud management, and no-code integration of an invoicing system, among others.
Mobile payments attract the lowest fee, which is set at 1% per transaction. On top of this low fee, users get immediate access to their funds and are charged no maintenance fee. Disbursements attract a fee of 1.5% per transaction, with a minimum charge of KES 10, capped at KES 50. To access these features, which include amazing pricing, you must have an IntaSend account, which you can create here.
Credit Page Photo by Bastian Riccardi on Unsplash
