Kenya

• About 54 million people live in Kenya.
• Over 23 million people are accessing the internet, reflecting the great possibility of digital payments.
• About 83% of adults have formal financial service access.
• Although credit card usage is 5%, mobile money services such as the M-Pesa payment gateway have covered this gap.
• The B2C market in Kenya is expected to grow by 15.25% on a year-over-year basis and reach US$2.3 billion in 2023.
• E-commerce here is rising, with a 2.3% share of the total retail market.

While many African countries have started embracing digital finance to propel economic growth, no other country has shown a serious interest in this field as much as Kenya has.

Key Numbers on Payment Gateways

The digital economy is growing impressively, as highlighted by the range of statistics disseminated showing the increased adoption of online services and means of payment.

• Population:

  46 million
• Online population:

  23 million
• Banked population:

  47%
• Credit card population:

  5%
• B2C e-commerce:

  US$2.3 billion
• E-commerce of Total Retail:

  2.3%

Now, let’s look at what the gateway is.

What Is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway is a unique tech solution that allows online, offline, or mobile device payments. It is principally designed to authorize, settle, and manage transactions as intermediaries between businesses and banks. Different sets of locally adopted and internationally oriented payment solutions have been developed in this respect.

Factors to Review When Selecting a Reliable Payment Gateway in Kenya

Several factors should be considered when choosing a service provider, and the following are some of the critical ones that will help meet their peculiar needs:

• Security. This aspect is paramount. Payment service providers in Kenya should ensure the security of the transactions through PCI-DSS compliance.
• Integration. The gateway to consider should allow integration with all your existing business systems for seamless operation.
• Speed of transaction. The faster the transaction is processed, the greater the customer satisfaction. See which gateway provides speedy authorization and settlement.
• Cost structure. Setup fees, transactional fees, and maintenance costs are involved. Some companies offer competitive rates based on the size of their businesses.
• Customer support. Strong support must be available whenever issues need to be quickly dealt with.
• Accepted payment methods. The gateway should be able to accept popular local and international operations such as credit/debit cards and mobile wallets.
• Mobile compatibility. The payment gateway should be compatible with mobile transactions.

All these factors are equally critical.

Best Payment Gateways in Kenya

This country has different payment gateways that can fit local and international transactions. Though there are several in the market, the focus will be on the most reliable and widely used payment methods in Kenya. We’ll describe their elaboration in features, services, and compatibility.

• DPO Group
• Flutterwave
• iPay Africa
• Jambopay
• Jenga
• JumiaPay
• Kopokopo
• M-Pesa
• Paystack
• Peach Payments
• Pesapal
• Skrill

All these options are popular in Africa and beyond.

🔥 DPO Group

Website: dbogroup.com
One of the best online payment methods in Kenya, giving its businesses a fast, secure, and reliable avenue for transactional business.

Main features

• It supports various currencies and is very well suited for international transactions.
• Provides detailed information on real-time transaction monitoring and advanced reporting tools.
• Offers secure links that can be easily used to invoice customers.
• Integrates with popular ecommerce solutions like WooCommerce and Shopify.

Advantages

• Effective fraud case detection and prevention mechanisms.
• Both local and international means of payment are supported.
• Customer support is available 24/7.

Disadvantages

• The transaction fees are a bit higher.
• The integration can get complex for smaller businesses.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Business registration documents
• Know Your Customer verification

Accepted method

Visa, MasterCard, M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Tigo, MTN & Vodafone

Available countries

Kenya, Botswana, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa

Supported currencies

KES, USD, EUR, GBP, BWP, UGX, XOF, TZS, ZMW, TZS, GHS, MWK, NAD, NGN, RWF, ZAR

🔥 Flutterwave

Website:flutterwave.com
Flutterwave is another leading African fintech company that offers businesses a scalable and secure way of making and accepting transactions.

Main features

• It can handle both local and cross-border operations
• It provides customizable links to receive money from their customers.
• It gives analytics dashboards for real-time performance monitoring of transactions.
• Integrations with WooCommerce, Shopify, and BigCommerce are facilitated.

Advantages

• Various payment options can be accepted, including cards, bank transfers, and e wallets in Kenya.
• The user experience for merchants and customers is user-friendly.
• Relatively low transaction fees compared to other gateways.

Disadvantages

• You may experience delays in settlements.
• Not all the small local banks may be supported.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Registered business
• Documents to pass KYC verification

Accepted method

Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, IBAN transfer, Google Pay, USSD, Bank Transfer, QR codes, Mobile Money, M-Pesa

Available countries

Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe

Supported currencies

AED, ARS, AUD, BRL, CAD, CHF, CZK, EGP, ETB, EUR, GBP, GHS, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, MAD, MUR, MYR, NGN, NOK, NZD, PEN, PLN, RUB, RWF, SAR, SEK, SGD, SLL, TZS, UGX, USD, XAF, XOF, ZAR, ZMK, ZMW, MWK

🔥 iPay Africa

Website:ipayafrica.com

iPay Africa is also in the list of major payment gateways, providing an e-platform for SMEs and bigger businesses.

Main features

• Supports local methods such as M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Vooma.
• It offers a very easy integration with websites and mobile applications.
• This system has a dashboard for tracking transactions and creating detailed reports.
• It also features one-click payments for returning customers.

Advantages

• It has a high focus on local opearations.
• Easy integration with online stores and apps.
• Very competitive in transaction fees, especially for SMEs.

Disadvantages

• Very few international payment methods are supported
• Customer service might respond more slowly during peak hours.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Business registration details
• KYC documents for a verification process

Accepted methods

Visa, MasterCard, Union Pay, M-PESA, Airtel Money, Vooma, EazzyPay, Pesalink

Available countries

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia

Supported currencies

KES, UGX, TZS, RWF, NGN, ZMW

🔥 Jambopay

Website:jambopay.com
Jambopay is an online and mobile payment gateway in Kenya. This is one of the favorite among businesses, government institutions, and utility providers.

Main features

• This online processor integrates with websites, mobile apps, and government portals.
• Transaction alerts are available for transactions in real-time.
• Supports invoicing, payment links, and recurrent billings for automatic paying.
• It features an easy-to-use admin dashboard.

Advantages

• Has a strong local presence
• Transacting supports the government and private sectors.
• Efficient customer support with a dispute resolution mechanism.

Disadvantages

• Has limitations concerning international options.
• Integration might be a bit complex for non-tech-savvy businesses.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Business registration documents.
• KYC (Know Your Customer) details for verification.

Accepted methods

M-Pesa, Airtel Money, VISA, MasterCard, Union Pay, Partner banks (32 banks)

Available countries

Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania

Supported currencies

KES, UGX, TZS, RWF

🔥 Jenga

Website:jengapgw.io
Under Jenga, the processing occurs on a secure platform, so businesses looking for payment gateways in Kenya with support from a trusted bank find it an attractive deal.

Main features

• Card operations, mobile money, and bank transfers are supported.
• Easy integration with major e-commerce platforms and mobile apps.
• Real-time tracking and management of your transactions in one dashboard.
• Transacting is made secure through advanced fraud detection mechanisms.

Advantages

• Support by one of the leading banks increases the trust and reliability in the platform.
• Very good local support for integrations and technical issues was experienced.
• Seamless integration with other financial services offered by Equity Bank.

Disadvantages

• Very limited support for international payment methods.
• Transaction fees are high for non-Equity Bank customers.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Business registration documents
• KYC verification is mandatory

Accepted method

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Union Pay, JCB, Diners Club, Equitel, M-Pesa, Wire Transfer

Available countries

Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

Supported currencies

KES, TZS, UGX, USD, EUR, GBP

🔥 JumiaPay

Website:pay.jumia.co.ke
This payment gateway is committed to fostering better online shopping experiences by offering various methods and features to suit e-commerce transactions.

Main features

• It allows various modes of payment, such as mobile money and cards.
• Seamless integration with the Jumia e-commerce platform for smooth transactions.
• Secure transaction processing and fraud detection in real-time.
• Incentives include cash-back and discounts for customers

Advantages

• Tight integration with Jumia’s e-commerce ecosystem.
• It does have promotions and rewards exclusively for JumiaPay customers.
• The platform is secure and easy to use, especially for online shoppers.

Disadvantages

• Primarily designed for Jumia’s marketplace
• Limited support for international transactions outside its network.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Business registration documents
• Documents to pass the KYC verification

Accepted methods

Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, mobile wallets, wire transfers

Available countries

Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa

Supported currencies

KES, NGN, EGP, MAD, XOF, ZAR

🔥 Kopokopo

Website:kopokopo.co.ke

Kopokopo is one of the most popular payment service providers in Kenya. It has focused on providing SMEs to ensure the receipt and management of mobile money transactions.

Main features

• Can receive mobile money payments, bulk payouts, and even digital invoicing.
• It has a real-time dashboard to manage transactions and customers’ data.
• Business tools include SMS marketing and loyalty programs.
• Its integration into mobile money platforms and online stores is seamless.

Pros

• Pretty focused on mobile money paying, so it suits SMEs.
• It has other business tools like SMS marketing and loyalty programs.
• Competitive transaction fees with flexible pricing plans.

Cons

• Limited support for credit/debit card operations.
• International reach, but focused on the local market.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Business registration documents
• KYC verification is required

Accepted methods

M-Pesa, Airtel Money

Available countries

Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania

Supported currencies

KES, TZS, RWF

🔥 M-Pesa

Website:m-pesa.com
M-Pesa is the leading mobile money service, revolutionizing how people and businesses handle cash transactions. It accepts across various sectors, becoming one of the critical payment methods in Kenya.

Main features

• Supports P2P transfers, merchant operations, and bulk disbursements.
• An API is available to integrate M-Pesa with online stores and mobile apps.
• There is a USSD interface to perform quick transactions without needing a smartphone.
• International remittances are possible with M-Pesa Global.

Advantages

• Wide users, and therefore, the most adopted ways to pay.
• Mobile transactions have an immediate effect, hence improving business time.
• Good security since authentic PINs are used for transaction authentication

Disadvantages

• It is centered mainly on mobile transactions, hence few card transactions are allowed.
• Some forms of transactions, for example, international remittances, can be too expensive due to high fees.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Business registration documents
• KYC verification is mandatory

Accepted method

Visa, MasterCard, Vodafone, Vodacom, SafariCom, wire transfer

Available countries

Kenya, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania

Supported currencies

KES, CDF, EGP, ETB, GHS, LSL, MZN, TZS

🔥 Paystack

Website:paystack.com
Paystack is one of the fast-growing payment methods in Kenya, making it varied for local and international transactions.

Main features

• Card operations, mobile money, and bank transfers are supported.
• A feature-rich dashboard for tracking transactions and analytics.
• Customizable pages and APIs to allow for easy integrations
• It supports instant settlement to give quicker access to funds.

Advantages

• Supports various methods, from mobile money to card-based ones.
• Easy integrations with e-commerce platforms and apps.
• Low transaction fees on local operations.

Disadvantages

• Poor customer support for non-enterprise users.
• All local banks do not support direct bank transfers.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Registered business
• Document for a KYC verification process

Accepted methods

Visa, MasterCard, Bank account, Wire transfer, USSD, Apple Pay, Visa QR, MTN, AirtelTigo, Vodafone, M-Pesa

Available countries

Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya

Supported currencies

GHS, NGN, ZAR, KES, USD

🔥 Peach Payments

Website:peachpayments.com
Peach Payments is among secure and flexible payment methods in Kenya. This system is highly practical in e-commerce, hospitality, and service industries.

Main features

• Support for credit/debit cards, mobile money, and bank transfers.
• Real-time fraud prevention and detection tools.
• A customized checkout experience for both websites and apps.
• Multi-currency support for international transactions.

Advantages

• Great fraud prevention methods are put in place.
• It offers a wide variety of options, including mobile money and cards.
• Easy integration with leading e-commerce platforms

Cons

• Less local support is given.
• Slightly higher fees are applied for international transactions.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Local business registration
• The KYC process is mandatory

Accepted methods

Mastercard, Visa, Amex, Diners, Pay by Bank, Capitec Pay, Nedbank Direct EFT, Mobicred, Scan to Pay (QR code), PayPal, Payflex, 1 Voucher, ZeroPay, Apple Pay, RCS Cards

Available countries

Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius

Supported currencies

ZAR, KES, MUR, USD, EUR

🔥 Pesapal

Website:pesapal.com
Pesapal is one of the most established online payment methods in Kenya, offering integrated, secure solutions on online, mobile, and point-of-sale transactions.

Features and services

• Supports mobile money, card transactions, and bank transfers.
• Easily integrates with websites and mobile applications.
• It supports a detailed transaction report and analytics on its dashboard.
• This gateway also has event management and ticketing solutions.

Pros

• Very great local presence with a wide acceptance of mobile money
• Easy integration with major e-commerce platforms.
• Reliable customer support for businesses.

Cons

• Fewer international options.
• Fees are relatively higher if the amount of the transaction is small.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Registered business
• KYC process is mandatory

Accepted methods

Visa, MasterCard, Co-op Mobile, Eazzy 24/7, M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Yu Cash, MTN money, Vodacom

Available countries

Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Supported currencies

KES, MWK, RWF, TZS, UGX, ZMW, ZWL, USD

🔥 Skrill

Website:skrill.com
Skrill is one of the popular e wallets in Kenya for cross-border transactions and e-commerce.

Main features

• It will make transactions easier online, providing a digital wallet for speed and convenience.
• Allows different currencies to facilitate international transactions easily.
• Offers strict security features such as two-factor authentication.
• Can be integrated with most kinds of e-commerce websites and mobile applications.

Pros

• Accepted in most currencies, making it perfect for international transactions.
• Easy-to-use interface for the digital wallet.
• Money sent and received via Skrill is cheaper.

Cons

• Local options to pay are not that well-supported.
• High transaction fees regarding conversion and withdrawal of money.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Local business registration
• KYC process is mandatory

Accepted methods

Visa, MasterCard, bank account, M-Pesa

Available countries

131 countries, including Kenya

Supported currencies

KES, USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, BDT, BRL, INR, IDR, MYR, MXN, NPR, PKR, PHP, PLN, LKR, THB, VND

🔥 Paykassma

Website:paykassma.com
Paykassma is a comprehensive payment aggregator operating in Kenya, offering businesses and consumers a seamless platform for online transactions.

Main features

• Supports various local and international payment options, including M-Pesa, enhancing accessibility for users.
• Enables transactions in multiple currencies, simplifying cross-border payments.
• Implements advanced security protocols to ensure safe and secure transactions.
• Offers straightforward integration with e-commerce platforms and mobile applications.

Pros

• Compatible with numerous currencies, facilitating international transactions.
• Provides an intuitive platform for managing payments.
• Competitive fees for sending and receiving money.

Cons

• Some local payment methods may not be supported.
• Certain transactions may incur higher fees, particularly for currency conversion and withdrawals.

Setup fee

—

Requirements

• Registered business entity
• Completion of Know Your Customer (KYC) process

Accepted methods

Visa, MasterCard, Bank transfers, M-Pesa

Available countries

125 countries, including Kenya

Supported currencies

KES, USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, BDT, BRL, INR, IDR, MYR, MXN, NPR, PKR, PHP, PLN, LKR, THB, VND

10 Best Payment Gateways in Kenya

Below is a table summarizing key characteristics of the top online payment methods in Kenya.

Conclusion

Each of the mentioned gateways has different features, pricing, and support for various ways to pay for goods and services. You also need to consider other important options, such as integration, transaction fees, and customer support in selecting a gateway that best suits your business.

FAQ