Getting paid in Kenya: M-Pesa, PayPal, Payoneer, Wise, bank transfers and invoices step by step

Earning online is only half the job; you also need to receive money safely, cheaply and in your own name. Kenyans have more options than many countries thanks to M-Pesa, but each method has fees, limits and rules. This unit explains how each payment method works, how to set them up, how to move money to M-Pesa or your bank, how to invoice clients professionally, and how to avoid payment scams.

Which method for which client?

Always use accounts in your own legal name, matching your ID. Mismatched names cause frozen accounts and failed withdrawals.

M-Pesa for business

How to get a Till or Paybill: apply through Safaricom's official business channels (agent/shop or online application) with the required documents (ID, KRA PIN, business registration for some options). Requirements differ by product.

Benefits: customers trust business numbers, records are separate, and statements help with bookkeeping and taxes.

PayPal

Setting up

1. Create an account at paypal.com (choose personal or business) with your real name and email.
2. Link and verify your M-Pesa/phone and card (if requested) following PayPal's steps.
3. Complete your profile and enable security (2-step verification).

Receiving money

• Share your PayPal email or a PayPal.Me link with clients.
• For work, request payment as "goods and services" style (with fees) rather than "friends and family", which removes protections and may break terms when used for business.

Withdrawing to M-Pesa

Safaricom and PayPal offer a service to move money from PayPal to M-Pesa (and to top up PayPal from M-Pesa):

1. Use the PayPal option in the M-Pesa menu or M-Pesa app (or the official M-Pesa PayPal portal).
2. Link your PayPal account (same name and verified details).
3. Choose withdraw, enter the amount (in USD) and confirm; money arrives in M-Pesa in KES (exchange rate applied).

You can also withdraw PayPal funds to a linked Kenyan bank account.

PayPal cautions

• Accounts can be limited for unusual activity or mismatched details: keep your information consistent and verified.
• Beware chargebacks (buyers reversing payments) and overpayment scams.

Payoneer

Commonly used to receive payments from Upwork, Fiverr and many marketplaces and companies.

1. Sign up at payoneer.com (often via a link from the platform, which can make approval smoother).
2. Provide your details and ID for verification.
3. Connect it to the platform as your withdrawal method.
4. Receive funds in your Payoneer balance (USD).
5. Withdraw to a Kenyan bank account (KES or USD accounts) via Payoneer's withdrawal option. Fees and exchange rates apply.

Payoneer also offers receiving accounts (e.g. USD account details) for direct clients in some cases.

Wise

Wise (wise.com) lets international clients pay you at the real exchange rate with transparent fees. Clients can send money from their country; you receive into your Wise balance (if available to you) or directly to your Kenyan bank/M-Pesa where supported. Check current availability for Kenyan recipients.

Bank transfers (SWIFT)

• International clients and AdSense can pay directly into your Kenyan bank account via SWIFT (they need your bank's SWIFT/BIC code, account name and number, bank address).
• Consider a USD account to avoid double currency conversion if you hold dollars.
• Fees: sending bank fees, intermediary fees, and receiving fees can reduce the amount.

Invoicing professionally

An invoice is a formal request for payment and a record for both sides.

What to include

INVOICE                         Invoice No: INV-2026-042
Date: 2 October 2026            Due date: 16 October 2026

From: Wanjiku Kamau Designs, Nairobi · 0712 345 678 · KRA PIN: A012345678Z
To:   Juma Electronics Ltd, Kisumu

| Description                         | Qty | Rate (KSh) | Amount (KSh) |
| Logo design (3 concepts, 2 revisions)| 1   | 15,000     | 15,000       |
| Brand kit (colours, fonts, guide)    | 1   | 10,000     | 10,000       |
|                                      |     | Subtotal   | 25,000       |
|                                      |     | Deposit paid | (10,000)   |
|                                      |     | Balance due | 15,000      |

Payment: M-Pesa Till 123456 · or Bank: ABC Bank, Acc. 0123456789
Thank you for your business!

Tools

• Excel/Google Sheets or Word templates (see the Excel projects lesson)
• Free invoicing apps (e.g. Wave, Zoho Invoice) and accounting software
• Platforms generate invoices automatically for platform work
• VAT-registered businesses must issue invoices compliant with KRA's eTIMS requirements

Getting paid on time

• Agree payment terms in advance (deposit, milestones, due dates).
• Send invoices promptly; follow up politely on the due date.
• Offer convenient methods (M-Pesa for locals; PayPal/Wise for international).

Exchange rates, fees and records

• Compare total costs: platform fee + withdrawal fee + exchange rate margin.
• Withdraw in larger, less frequent amounts if fees are per transaction (check fee structures).
• Record every payment: date, client, gross amount, fees, net received, method. This helps with taxes (see the taxes lesson) and spotting problems.
• Keep business and personal money separate (a separate line, Pochi/Till, or bank account).

Payment scams to avoid

Summary

• Match payment methods to clients: M-Pesa for local, Payoneer/PayPal/Wise/bank for international and platforms.
• Use M-Pesa business options (Pochi, Till, Paybill) to look professional and keep records separate.
• PayPal can be withdrawn to M-Pesa via the official M-Pesa PayPal service; Payoneer withdraws to Kenyan banks; Wise and SWIFT handle direct international payments.
• Invoice professionally with numbers, dates, items, totals and payment details; take deposits and follow up.
• Track fees and exchange rates, keep records, separate business money, and avoid overpayment and fake-payment scams.