Updated 31 October 2026
The M-Pesa maximum amount per transaction is KSh250,000, the daily transaction limit is KSh500,000, and your M-Pesa account can hold at most KSh500,000. These are Safaricom’s standard limits as listed on its official tariffs and limits page, last updated in August 2026.
Updated October 2026.
M-Pesa limits at a glance
| Limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum per transaction (send, pay, withdraw) | KSh250,000 |
| Maximum total transactions per day | KSh500,000 |
| Maximum M-Pesa account balance | KSh500,000 |
| Minimum withdrawal at an agent | KSh50 |
| Maximum ATM withdrawal | KSh35,000 |
The same per-transaction and daily limits apply to QR “Scan to Pay” payments, according to Safaricom’s Scan to Pay FAQ.
How the limits have changed
| Period | Per transaction | Daily | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| From March 2020 | KSh150,000 | KSh300,000 | KSh300,000 |
| From August 15, 2023 | KSh150,000 | KSh500,000 | KSh500,000 |
| Current (2026) | KSh250,000 | KSh500,000 | KSh500,000 |
Limits are set by Safaricom with Central Bank of Kenya approval. Safaricom’s terms also allow it to give some accounts higher or lower limits.
What the limits mean in practice
- Sending KSh300,000? Split it into two transactions (for example KSh250,000 and KSh50,000). Both count toward the KSh500,000 daily total.
- Receiving a big payment? If the incoming amount would push your balance above KSh500,000, the transaction fails. Move money to your bank first.
- Paying above KSh500,000 in a day? Use a bank transfer, PesaLink or RTGS instead.
Charges on large amounts
Sending between KSh50,001 and KSh250,000 to another M-Pesa user costs KSh108 under the current tariff. Withdrawing the same range at an agent costs KSh309. See the full table in M-Pesa send money charges. For moving large sums, compare with sending from M-Pesa to your bank.
Business limits
Tills and paybills have separate limits set in the merchant agreement. A customer paying a till is still bound by the KSh250,000 per transaction limit on their own account. Learn more in Lipa na M-Pesa explained.
Other useful rules
- You can only deposit cash into your own M-Pesa account at an agent, not someone else’s.
- To reverse a mistaken transaction yourself, forward the confirmation SMS to 456. See M-Pesa fraud and reversals.
- Registration at agents requires a Kenyan ID or passport; foreign passport holders register at a Safaricom shop.
Why M-Pesa has limits at all
Limits exist mainly to manage fraud and money-laundering risk. Mobile money accounts are opened quickly with basic identity checks, so regulators cap how much can move through a single account. A lower ceiling also limits losses if a phone is stolen or a SIM is swapped. Banks, which carry out deeper checks on customers, handle the larger payments. That is why the limits have risen slowly over the years, each time after the Central Bank was satisfied with Safaricom’s safeguards.
What to do when a transaction fails because of a limit
If M-Pesa rejects a payment, the message usually tells you whether the problem is the per-transaction amount, the daily total or the balance cap. For the per-transaction cap, split the payment. For the daily total, wait until the next day or pay the rest by bank transfer. For the balance cap on the receiving side, ask the recipient to move money out first, or send the amount in smaller parts once they have room. No charge is taken for a failed transaction.
FAQ
What is the maximum amount I can send on M-Pesa?
KSh250,000 per transaction, up to KSh500,000 in total per day.
How much money can an M-Pesa account hold?
Up to KSh500,000.
What is the maximum M-Pesa ATM withdrawal?
KSh35,000 per ATM transaction.
Can I increase my M-Pesa limit?
The standard limits apply to most customers. Safaricom can assign different limits to some accounts; ask Safaricom customer care if you have a business need.
Related: Tax on M-Pesa Transactions in Kenya 2026: 15% Excise on Fees, VAT on Payment Services and Till Data
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