Safaricom is set to increase M-PESA account limits to KSh. 500,000 following approval from the Central Bank of Kenya. The higher account limit will be effective from Tuesday 15th August 2023 for all M-PESA customers.
“We appreciate the role that the Central Bank of Kenya has played by constantly providing guidance on innovations and protections that we have put in place to strengthen M-PESA’s adherence to KYC, anti-money laundering and other financial regulations and safeguards. The increased account limits will provide customers and especially small businesses with increased convenience as the share of cashless transactions continues to rise,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO – Safaricom.
In addition to the higher account limit, M-PESA customers are also set to enjoy an increased daily transaction limit of KSh. 500,000 per day. The current per transaction limits of KSh. 150,000 will remain, however customers can make as many transactions up to the KSh. 500,000 daily limit.
The move is set to be a boost for businesses in the country, especially SMEs, as the share of cashless transactions continues to rise. In the last financial year to March 2023, more than 606,000 businesses were receiving payments through Lipa Na M-PESA, with a total of KSh. 1.625 trillion transacted in the 12 months.
The increased transaction limit follows approval by the Central Bank of Kenya and comes on the heels of the previous approval for daily limit and M-PESA limit increases to KSh. 500,000 per day from 14th August 2023. Current maximum transaction fees will apply across the new bands including KSh. 108 per transaction for Send Money.
Safaricom is laying the foundation of the digital economy and helping all industries go digital. It’s mission is to become a digital-first, insights-led organization that enables platforms and ecosystem partnerships. The telecom’s strategic focus is to transform beyond being a ‘telco’ company to being a purpose-led technology company.