Every M-PESA transaction has a cost. Most Kenyans never stop to add them up.
If you send money a few times a week, withdraw cash twice, and use Fuliza occasionally, you could easily be spending KSh 600–1,000 every month just in transaction fees. That's over KSh 10,000 a year — money that could go towards savings or rent.
Here's exactly what Safaricom charges in 2026, for every transaction type.
Send Money Fees (Registered M-PESA Users)
| Amount (KSh) | Fee (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 – 100 | Free |
| 101 – 500 | 7 |
| 501 – 1,000 | 13 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | 23 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | 33 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | 53 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | 57 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | 78 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | 90 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | 100 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | 105 |
| 20,001 – 50,000 | 108 |
Note: Sending to an unregistered user costs significantly more. Always confirm the recipient has an active M-PESA account before sending.
Withdrawal Fees (Agent)
| Amount (KSh) | Fee (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 50 – 100 | 11 |
| 101 – 1,500 | 29 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | 29 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | 52 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | 69 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | 87 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | 115 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | 167 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | 185 |
| 20,001 – 50,000 | 197 – 278 |
Paybill & Buy Goods (Lipa Na M-PESA)
- Buy Goods (till number): FREE for customers
- Paybill payments: FREE for customers
Whenever you can pay via till number instead of sending money to a personal number, you save the full send fee. This one habit alone can save you hundreds of shillings a month.
Fuliza Charges
Fuliza charges a daily access fee for every day you carry a balance — not a one-time fee when you borrow.
| Amount Borrowed (KSh) | Daily Fee (KSh) |
|---|---|
| 1 – 100 | 2 |
| 101 – 500 | 5 |
| 501 – 1,000 | 10 |
| 1,001 – 2,500 | 20 |
| 2,501 – 70,000 | 30 |
Borrow KSh 1,000 and take 7 days to repay — that's KSh 70 in fees before any repayment. Most people massively underestimate their monthly Fuliza spend.
What Does Your Total Monthly Fee Spend Look Like?
Here's a realistic estimate for the average M-PESA user:
| Transaction Type | Frequency | Avg Fee | Monthly Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send money (KSh 1,000–2,500) | 10x | KSh 33 | KSh 330 |
| Cash withdrawal (KSh 1,000–3,500) | 6x | KSh 40 | KSh 240 |
| Fuliza (KSh 500, ~5 days) | 2x | KSh 25 | KSh 50 |
| Total | KSh 620/month |
See Exactly What You Pay — Automatically
Knowing the fee table is one thing. Knowing exactly what you paid last month is another.
Shmoney reads your M-PESA SMS messages and automatically extracts every fee — send charges, withdrawal fees, Fuliza costs — and shows your real monthly total. No manual work, no spreadsheets.
Beyond fees, Shmoney also:
- Categorises all your spending — food, transport, bills, shopping sorted automatically
- Tracks your budgets — set monthly limits per category and get alerts before you overspend
- Surfaces spending insights — which days you spend most, which categories are growing, month-on-month comparisons
- Generates statements — produce a spending report for any period directly from the app
- Keeps everything private — your data never leaves your phone
Download Shmoney Free on Google Play →
4 Quick Ways to Reduce Your M-PESA Fees
- Withdraw larger amounts less often — one KSh 1,500 withdrawal (KSh 29) costs less than three KSh 500 withdrawals (KSh 87)
- Pay merchants via till number — always free for you as the customer
- Repay Fuliza the same day — every extra day costs more in daily fees
- Bundle your sends — one KSh 2,000 send beats four KSh 500 sends on fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lipa Na M-PESA (Buy Goods) really free for customers?
Yes. Customers pay zero fees when paying via a till number or Paybill. The merchant pays on their side.
How do I know if I'm being overcharged on a transaction?
Compare the fee deducted in your SMS against the table above. If it doesn't match the expected amount, contact Safaricom on 234.
Can I see all my M-PESA fees in one place?
Yes — Shmoney automatically tracks every fee from your SMS messages and shows your total monthly spend broken down by transaction type.
How much does Fuliza actually cost me per month?
Most people genuinely don't know. Shmoney tracks Fuliza charges separately so you can see the real monthly number.
Do M-PESA charges change every year?
Safaricom periodically reviews its tariff structure. The figures in this guide reflect current 2026 rates. Always verify against the official Safaricom website for any updates.