(NAIROBI) – Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecommunications company, has integrated PayPal withdrawals directly into its M-PESA super app, a move designed to simplify access to digital earnings for remote workers and freelancers in the country. The new feature removes the need for a separate online portal, allowing users to withdraw funds from PayPal directly through the M-PESA app for the first time.
This integration is expected to significantly benefit Kenya’s growing population of online workers, many of whom earn money from clients abroad through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and direct contracts. By enabling a more seamless withdrawal process, Safaricom aims to attract a larger share of this emerging user base and increase transaction volumes across its mobile money platform.
The update introduces PayPal as a “mini app” within the main M-PESA interface, eliminating previous frustrations caused by multiple logins, browser redirections, and delayed transactions. The simplified user experience is particularly attractive to small scale freelancers and digital workers who seek fast and convenient access to their earnings.
Many South Sudanese professionals and entrepreneurs rely on Kenyan platforms like M-PESA due to the limited availability of local digital financial services.
Equity Bank remains the only provider in Kenya offering instant bank linked PayPal withdrawals and supports transactions up to $10,000. However, Safaricom’s app based route provides an appealing alternative for users transacting in smaller amounts or preferring not to use a bank intermediary.
Quick comparison of key M-PESA-PayPal features:
| Feature | M-PESA App | Equity Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Max Transaction | KES 250,000 ($1,938) | $10,000 |
| Daily Limit | KES 500,000 ($3,875) | Higher limits |
| Speed | Fast | Instant |
| Bank Required | No | Yes |
Safaricom’s financial reports show that mobile money is playing an increasingly central role in its operations. In the year ending March 2025, M-PESA revenue grew 15.2 percent to KES 161.1 billion (approximately $1.25 billion), driven largely by a 20.3 percent increase in chargeable transactions per user and a 10.5 percent rise in active monthly users, now totalling nearly 35.82 million.
The average revenue per M-PESA user rose 9.4 percent to KES 395.22 ($3.06). Meanwhile, Safaricom’s agent network expanded by 14.1 percent to 299,000 agents nationwide, maintaining the system’s accessibility for both urban and rural customers.
The M-PESA app itself has seen 13.7 million downloads and currently serves 4.7 million customers. In 2024, the app processed an estimated KES 2.3 trillion (approximately $17.83 billion) in transactions, highlighting its scale and impact.
M-PESA wallets now allow balances of up to KES 500,000 ($3,875), with a per transaction cap of KES 250,000. These limits, while more restrictive than bank based solutions, are suitable for the majority of digital workers handling mid-range payments.
Kenyan users have also explored platforms such as Wise and Payoneer, which offer competitive foreign exchange rates and fewer transfer restrictions. Nonetheless, PayPal remains a leading platform for receiving international freelance income, particularly from clients in the US and Europe. Integrating it directly into the M-PESA environment could help Safaricom capture more user engagement in an increasingly competitive market.
For South Sudanese freelancers and businesspeople using Kenyan digital infrastructure, this development may also offer greater efficiency in managing cross border finances. With M-PESA already popular among East Africans due to its reliability and broad agent network, the PayPal integration further enhances its utility for the region’s evolving economic needs.
Safaricom’s continued investment in its digital ecosystem underlines the growing significance of mobile money not just in Kenya but across neighbouring countries like South Sudan, where mobile payment solutions are still in the early stages of expansion.
