M-Pesa
Kenya's revolutionary mobile money platform and the single most important app for any traveler in the country. Used by over 80% of the adult population, M-Pesa handles everything from paying for groceries and restaurant bills to settling taxi fares and buying safari tickets. Operated by Safaricom, it works via a simple SIM-based system.
💳 Payments2 countriesEssential in 2
Available in these countries
Pro tips by country
Kenya: Register for M-Pesa at the Safaricom shop in the airport arrivals hall. Bring your passport, buy a SIM, and load some Kenyan shillings onto your M-Pesa wallet. Most merchants display their 'Till Number' for payments.
Tanzania: Register for M-Pesa at any Vodacom shop with your passport and a local SIM card. Load cash at an M-Pesa agent (they are on every block), and you are set. Many places offer small discounts for M-Pesa payments.