M-PESA Global 2026 Fees (Registration & More)
Sending and receiving money internationally has never been easier for Kenyans, thanks to M-PESA Global. Whether you are a Kenyan living abroad supporting family back home, or someone in Kenya receiving funds from overseas, M-PESA Global provides a fast, secure, and convenient way to handle international money transfers.
Launched in 2021, M-PESA Global has transformed how Kenyans manage cross-border transactions. No longer do you need to queue at Western Union offices or deal with complicated bank wire transfers. With just your phone, you can send money to over 200+ countries or receive funds from loved ones abroad directly into your M-PESA wallet.
What is M-PESA Global?
M-PESA Global is an international money transfer service that allows M-PESA users in Kenya to send and receive money across borders. It is an extension of the M-PESA mobile money platform, connecting Kenyan users with global payment networks and international remittance partners.
Key Features of M-PESA Global
- Send money to over 200+ countries worldwide
- Receive money from abroad instantly to your M-PESA wallet
- No bank account required - works directly with your M-PESA wallet
- Instant transfers with funds arriving within minutes
- Multiple international partners including Western Union, MoneyGram, WorldRemit, PayPal, and more
- Virtual Visa Card for international online shopping and subscriptions
- Secure and reliable with end-to-end encryption
What You Can Do with M-PESA Global
- Send money abroad to family and friends
- Receive remittances from Kenyans in the diaspora
- Pay for international subscriptions such as Netflix and Spotify
- Shop online from international stores
- Transfer money to regional M-PESA networks (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda)
- Buy international airtime
- Pay international merchants
How to Register for M-PESA Global
Registering for M-PESA Global is free and takes less than 2 minutes. You must be a registered M-PESA user with an active Safaricom line.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Have a Safaricom SIM card
- Be a registered M-PESA user
- Have legal capacity to enter into contracts
Method 1: Registration via USSD Code (*840#)
- Dial *840# on your Safaricom line
- Enter your physical address (e.g., Nairobi, Kenya or specific street)
- Accept Terms and Conditions - read and accept the M-PESA Global T&Cs
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to confirm registration
- Receive confirmation SMS from Safaricom
That is it. You are now registered for M-PESA Global.
Method 2: Registration via M-PESA App
- Open the M-PESA App on your smartphone
- Navigate to M-PESA Global from the main menu
- Tap Opt In or Continue to start registration
- Read and accept the Terms and Conditions
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to confirm
- Wait for confirmation SMS from Safaricom
Important note: Once registered, you can access M-PESA Global services anytime by dialing *840# or through the M-PESA App.
M-PESA Global Transaction Limits 2026
Understanding transaction limits helps you plan your international transfers effectively.
Sending Money Abroad Limits
- Minimum amount: KES -- per transaction
- Maximum per transaction: KES --
- Daily limit: KES --
- Monthly limit: Varies by user profile and transaction history
Receiving Money from Abroad
- No receiving limits - you can receive any amount through M-PESA Global partners
- No charges for receiving money into your M-PESA wallet
- Funds reflect instantly in your M-PESA account
Note: The recipient receives money in their local currency. Exchange rates are determined by the sending partner (Western Union, WorldRemit, etc.).
M-PESA Global Charges and Fees 2026
M-PESA Global charges vary depending on the amount you are sending and the destination country.
International Transfer Charges (From Kenya)
| Transaction Amount (Ksh) | Transfer Fee (Ksh) |
|---|
Additional Important Information
- Receiving money is free - no charges when receiving from abroad
- Registration is free - no cost to opt into M-PESA Global
- Exchange rates apply - your money is converted to the recipient currency
- Partner fees may apply - when using services like Western Union or WorldRemit
Standard M-PESA Charges Still Apply
After receiving money into your M-PESA wallet, standard M-PESA charges apply for:
- Withdrawing cash from agents
- Sending money to other M-PESA users
- Bank transfers
- Bill payments
Countries You Can Send Money To
M-PESA Global allows you to send money to over 200+ countries worldwide. Here are some popular destinations:
Africa
Uganda (to MTN Mobile Money), Tanzania (to Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo M-Pesa), Rwanda (to MTN, Airtel), Zambia (to MTN), Botswana (to Orange), Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia
Europe
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland
Americas
United States, Canada, Brazil
Asia
United Arab Emirates, India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines
Oceania
Australia, New Zealand
How to Send Money Abroad with M-PESA Global
Sending money internationally through M-PESA Global is straightforward.
Using USSD Code (*840#)
- Dial *840# on your Safaricom line
- Select Send Money Abroad from the menu
- Choose destination country from the list
- Enter recipient details (phone number or account number, and name)
- Enter amount to send (minimum KES --)
- Review amount to send, fee charged, exchange rate, and recipient amount
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to confirm
- Receive confirmation SMS with transaction reference
- Recipient gets notified instantly
Using M-PESA App
- Open the M-PESA App
- Tap on M-PESA Global
- Select Send Money Abroad
- Choose country and follow prompts
- Enter recipient details and amount
- Confirm with PIN
Delivery time: Most transfers are instant, but some may take up to 24 hours depending on the destination country and payment method.
How to Receive Money from Abroad via M-PESA Global
Receiving international money into your M-PESA wallet is free and easy.
M-PESA Global Partner Services
You can receive money sent through these partners:
- Western Union
- MoneyGram
- WorldRemit
- Remitly
- Sendwave
- PayPal
- Wise (formerly TransferWise)
- Skrill
- Xend
- Azimo
Steps to Receive Money
- Sender initiates transfer from their country using any partner service
- Sender selects M-PESA Kenya as delivery method
- Sender enters your Safaricom phone number
- You receive instant SMS notification when money arrives
- Funds are automatically credited to your M-PESA wallet
- Check balance by dialing *234#
No action is required from you. The money appears automatically in your wallet.
Important Tips for Receiving Money
- Make sure sender has your correct Safaricom phone number
- Your M-PESA account must be active
- No registration needed - any M-PESA user can receive
- Zero receiving fees
- Money arrives in Kenyan Shillings (KES)
M-PESA GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card
The M-PESA GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card is a tool for international online payments.
What is GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card?
It is a virtual debit card linked to your M-PESA wallet that allows you to shop online, pay for subscriptions, book flights and hotels, and make payments on any website that accepts Visa.
How to Get Your GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card
- Download the M-PESA App (if you have not)
- Navigate to the GlobalPay section
- Select Virtual Visa Card
- Tap Activate
- Set your card spending limit
- Enter your M-PESA PIN
- Your card is activated instantly
Card Features
- 16-digit card number
- CVV code for security
- Expiry date
- Customizable spending limits
- Real-time balance updates
- Transaction notifications via SMS
Using Your GlobalPay Card
- Load money from M-PESA to the card
- Enter card details on any international website
- Complete payment
- Receive SMS confirmation
Charges: Small transaction fees apply depending on purchase amount.