M-PESA International Money Transfer Service FAQs

Click Here to view Agent location in the UK.

1. What is M-PESA International Money Transfer?

M-PESA International Money Transfer (IMT) is an innovative way to send from abroad to someone in Kenya. The money is sent directly in to the Receiver’s Mobile phone, to the M-PESA Account, and can then be used in various ways. The money transfer is received close to instantly (time of an SMS text message). Both the Sender & Receiver are sent a confirmation SMS text message from M-PESA. 

The scheme is live between the UK and Kenya, and the system is such that additional corridors can easily be added, subject to local regulations. 

2. Who are the partners of M-PESA in International Money Transfer?

The IMT service has been developed as a additional functionality to M-PESA, together with our partner Vodafone.  

M-PESA has partnered with selected agents in the UK who provide the cash-in location for senders to transact. Currently these agents are Western Union, Provident Capital and KenTV.

3. How can I get to know the locations of the M-PESA partners in the UK?

Please log onto www.safaricom.co.ke and look under International Money Transfer (IMT) on the M-PESA section for details of current agent locations. This list will be updated as new outlets are added. 

4. Who can use the M-PESA International Money Transfer service?

Any person registered for M-PESA can receive money via IMT. Additionally, if a customer who is not registered for M-PESA is sent money via a Western Union outlet, they will be invited to register for M-PESA within 21 days to receive their remittance direct to their M-PESA account. If they choose not to register, they will be able to collect their money from traditionally Western Union outlets.

If you do not have an M-PESA account, please visit any of M-PESA Agent outlets countrywide and you will be advised on how to register and activate your account. You will need your Identification Documents and your Safaricom line. 

5. Does the recipient need to be a Safaricom customer?

Yes – the recipient must be a Safaricom customer to receive IMT. This is because to be registered you need to be on Safaricom. People not registered for M-PESA, on any network, can receive money via M-PESA. You must be registered for M-PESA to send money. 

6. What do I require in order to use M-PESA international Money Transfer Service?

(i) The recipient must be a Safaricom subscriber to receive funds through WU IMT.

(ii) If the recipient is not registered on M-PESA, he gets an SMS confirming that he has received funds from the UK & WU and he needs to register within 21 days to access the funds. (Depending on the Agent from which your friend in UK is sending money, you may receive an SMS advising you to register) 

7. Where in Kenya can I receive money sent to my M-PESA account via IMT?
   
   You can go to any M-PESA agent countrywide to withdraw your funds, just the same as if they were sent by another M-PESA customer. Alternatively, you can use the money to Pay Bills, buy airtime or send money to other subscribers in Kenya. 
8. How much money can I receive from someone UK agent?
   
   The amount will vary depending on which agent your friend in the UK is using. The maximum amount that can be sent at any one time via M-PESA is ₤250 (Approximately KShs. 30,000). Additionally, senders in UK can send a maximum of ₤1000 per month via M-PESA. 
9. What is the cost of sending money from UK via M-PESA?
   

   Charges for sending money from UK via M-PESA vary depending on the amount sent and the agent at which the money is being sent from. Charges vary between ₤4.00 and ₤6.90, for sending up to ₤250. Participating Agents publish their transaction charges; which are currently: 

These charges are competitive for sending money across borders in values of up to ₤250. In comparison, sending money via bank transfer from UK to Kenya will typically cost ₤10 or more – which is around double the charges for using M-PESA. 

10. What exchange rate will be used at the time the money is being sent?

Conversion will be done directly at the point of sending the money. The sender will be advised by the Agent of the prevailing exchange rate, and the equivalent amount the customer in Kenya will receive.  

11. Will I be charged for receiving money from the UK?

There is no charge to the recipient for receiving IMT via M-PESA but all normal M-PESA charges will subsequently apply i.e. to send money, withdraw cash etc. 

12. Can I send money to the UK using M-PESA from Kenya?
    
    Currently, the service allows one way transfer of funds from UK to Kenya. You cannot send money to UK using M-PESA.  
    
    
13. Will any network coverage affect my collection of money sent to me from the UK? 
    
    

    Money will be received into your M-PESA account, even if sent to you when you are out of coverage. The balance will be available to you at any time, and you can always check your current balance on M-PESA as per normal.

14. How much time does it take for money sent from the UK to reach me in Kenya?
    
    

    The funds should reach you immediately once the money has been sent to you from the UK, it will take just a few seconds for you to receive the SMS confirmation of the transaction. Note that if your friend sends you money via a Western Union outlet, but you are not registered, you will receive the notification immediately but will need to register for M-PESA to access your money. 

15. Will I get a message to notify me that I have received money from the UK?
    
    

    As with any other M-PESA transaction, you will receive an SMS notifying you of the transaction details, including receipt number, amount in KShs, Balance, time stamp, sender and senders’ location.  Sample SMS’ are:  

    Sent via Western Union to a registered M-PESA customer: G68EG702 confirmed. You have received Ksh5, 000 from Julia Njeri in UK via Western Union on 24/4/09 at 3:56PM. New M-PESA balance is Ksh10, 500. 

    Sent via Western Union to a non-registered M-PESA customer: G68EG702 Confirmed. Ksh5, 000 was sent to you via Western Union in UK and M-PESA. You must register at an M-PESA Agent within 21 days to access these funds. Receipt G68EG702 on 24/4/09 at 3:58PM. Please call customer care on 234 

    Sent via another UK Agent: G27VJ086 confirmed. You have received Ksh.1500 from EVE NYAMBURA via UK Express 1 in the United Kingdom on 6/5/09 at 7:12PM. New M-PESA balance is Ksh7, 497. 

16. What are the benefits of using M-PESA in Kenya?

M-PESA allows you to make transactions fast, safe and affordably by using SMS technology. This has many benefits to customers in terms of convenience, security and ease of use. The service is competitively priced in comparison with other formal money transfer services; and can be accessed at over 12,000 Agent outlets across Kenya. 

17. Does M-PESA work across networks?

Yes you can send money to mobile subscribers on other networks as long as they are able to receive SMS. If they are not registered, they will be able to collect their funds from any M-PESA Agent. With the UK agent’s service, only registered customers will be able to receive money. 

18. Can I use M-PESA if my line is expired?

The M-PESA service uses the Safaricom network for sending and receiving SMS to your phone. Your Safaricom line will need to be active for you to use M-PESA. If your Safaricom line is expired, the one transaction you will be able to do is to use M-PESA to top-up your line. Topping up will make your line active again! 

19. What is the difference between a registered M-PESA customer and an unregistered customer?
    
    An M-PESA customer’s SIM-Card has M-PESA active menu on it and is able to carry out all the services described above. An unregistered customer is one that can only receive money from an M-PESA customer and it can be Safaricom or any other mobile network. An unregistered customer can withdraw money sent to him by an M-PESA customer in Kenya from any Agent within 7 days, but cannot carry out other M-PESA transactions. Registered customers can also withdraw cash from a PesaPoint ATM. 
    
    
20. For IMT transactions using Western Union, what happens if the receiver isn’t registered for M-PESA (but is has a Safaricom Line)?
    
    
As long as the recipient is on the Safaricom network, when a Mobile Money Transfer is sent Safaricom will send an SMS text message to the receiver. They will be invited to register within 21 days. If they choose not to, or the 21 days elapses, the receiver can contact the sender for further transaction details (i.e. MTCN) and collect the money transfer through a Western Union Agent as per standard process. 


21. What AML controls are there to guard against money laundering? How will Safaricom know that the senders are not criminals or terrorists?
    
    All Agents in the UK must be registered with HM Revenue & Customs for AML compliance. They are therefore required to undertake certain due diligence on the remitters in compliance with UK AML laws and regulations. Safaricom, together with our partner Vodafone, also carry out screening of senders against watch lists so as to ensure that known criminals or terrorists cannot use the service. Moreover senders will be required to provide proof of ID to the Agent before they can complete a transaction. This is in line with the UK AML regulations. We also carry out transaction monitoring to detect any suspicious activity.  
    
    
22. Safaricom and Vodafone signed up with Western Union in 2008 to launch IMT; why has it taken so long to launch the IMT service?
    
    Safaricom, Vodafone and Western Union have been testing the technical aspects thoroughly as well as working to ensure a smooth customer experience for both the sender and the receiver. We have also worked closely with the relevant regulatory authorities to ensure that the service meets all requirements and international best practice.
    
    
23. What involvement have the Regulatory Authorities had with the IMT launch?
    
    Safaricom and Vodafone have since the inception of M-PESA worked closely with Central Bank of Kenya, which has always been facilitative. Safaricom was authorized on 3^rd August 2009 to transact foreign exchange business, having satisfied the CBK that the required controls and legal compliance are being met. Our partners Western Union, Provident Capital and Ken TV have all been authorized by the relevant regulatory authority in the UK (Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs – HMRC) to transact in international remittances. We are happy to have satisfied the regulators that the models are technically and legally sound. 
    
    
24. What other remittance corridors is Safaricom considering for M-PESA IMT?
    
    Following the successful pilot and launch of M-PESA IMT between UK and Kenya, Safaricom will be expanding the services to allow remittances to Kenya from other relevant markets. We will be working towards facilitating transfers between neighboring countries in East Africa to meet customer needs. Details will be communicated at a later date 
    
    
25. Where is M-PESA launched elsewhere in the world?
    
    Safaricom launched M-PESA in Kenya in partnership with Vodafone who provide the technical platform. Vodafone have partnered with Vodacom in Tanzania and Roshan in Afghanistan to launch similar services in those markets. 
    
    
26. If I want to be an Agent to do M-PESA IMT transactions, what do I require?

    To be an Agent providing M-PESA IMT transactions you will need to comply with the regulation in the country where funds are being remitted from. In the UK, current requirements are that your organization and each of the outlets be registered with HM Revenue & Customs a Money Services Business (MSB).  

    Safaricom selects IMT Agents based on their location and existing customer base amongst other requirements. If you are interested in gaining more information, please send a written request to m-pesa@safaricom.co.ke together with details of your outlets and regulatory compliance for consideration. However, please note that Safaricom is not actively seeking new Agents in the UK at this time. 

Click on links below to view Agent location in the UK.

1. www.pctransfers.com
2. www.kentv.net
3. http://www.cash2kenya.co.uk/

List of UK agents. Click here to view...