In a strategic breakthrough for Kenya’s financial landscape, Safaricom, M-PESA, and PayPal have launched a new integration enabling seamless fund transfers between PayPal and M-PESA wallets.
This move is poised to empower over 35 million M-PESA users and two million businesses and micro traders to tap into PayPal’s global network across 200+ markets.
What This Means for Entrepreneurs
The new service allows businesses, particularly freelancers, traders, and digital SMEs, to receive and send payments between PayPal and M-PESA effortlessly. It eliminates the friction of cross-border transactions, opening up global commerce for locally anchored enterprises, especially within Kenya’s booming gig economy and e-commerce space.
“This collaboration empowers over thirty-five million customers and two million micro-entrepreneurs across Kenya to participate in the global digital economy,” said Esther Waititu, Chief Financial Services Officer, Safaricom PLC.
“It’s part of our commitment to unlocking opportunities and transforming lives through the power of M-PESA.”
Expanding Access to Global Markets
The service is operational for Kenyan M-PESA customers, with rollout plans in other M-PESA markets. Entrepreneurs now have direct access to a financial bridge that connects local innovation to international demand.
“Building seamless connections between the global economy and local financial ecosystems is crucial to expanding digital financial inclusion,” added Otto Williams, Regional Head and GM for Middle East and Africa, PayPal.
Strengthening Financial Inclusion
This partnership builds on Safaricom’s longstanding mission to democratise financial services:
- M-PESA Kadogo (2016) eliminated fees for transactions under KSh 100.
- Ziidi MMF enables customers to invest from as low as KSh 100, encouraging savings and financial literacy.
Interoperability as a Fintech Trend
The deal signals deeper integration within fintech ecosystems, where collaboration drives value. Entrepreneurs gain a more holistic toolkit for operating online, managing transactions, and scaling beyond borders.
The Big Picture
With over $1.1 billion transacted daily via M-PESA and PayPal’s 400+ million active accounts, this alignment positions Kenyan entrepreneurs to:
- Expand customer reach globally
- Streamline cross-border transactions
- Build scalable, tech-enabled businesses
