Insights & Updates

Kenya Finance Bill 2026 Mobile Money VAT: How the 16% Tax on M-Pesa, Airtel Money and Pesapal Will Hit Consumers and the Diaspora

The National Treasury wants to apply 16% Value Added Tax to fees charged by M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Pesapal, Kenswitch and dozens of other payment platforms. Although the levy targets platform operators, industry watchers expect higher costs to filter down to consumers, including diaspora Kenyans who send money home.