M-Pesa — Mobile Payment
M-Pesa (M for Mobile, Pesa for money in Swahili) is Kenya's most ingenious invention and revolutionizes how you pay as a tourist. Over 90% of Kenyan adults use M-Pesa — it is the country's invisible infrastructure.
How to use it as a tourist
- Buy a Safaricom SIM: At the airport or any Safaricom shop (passport required). SIM costs about 1 USD
- Register M-Pesa: The seller sets it up for you (takes 5 minutes)
- Load money: At any M-Pesa agent (green Safaricom signs everywhere!) with cash. Or via credit card in the app
- Pay: Vendor has an M-Pesa number (Paybill/Till-Number), you enter the amount — done!
What you need M-Pesa for
- Uber/Bolt rides (faster than credit card)
- Small restaurants and shops
- Tips
- Matatu rides
- Entries and tours
Tip: Load 5,000–10,000 KES (30–60€) at the start — that's enough for a week of small expenses. You can find M-Pesa agents everywhere, even in the smallest villages.
