What is M-PESA Global?
M-PESA Global is a service that extends the reach of the renowned M-PESA mobile money platform, allowing users to send and receive money internationally. It bridges the gap between the simplicity of mobile money and the complex landscape of international finance, offering a seamless and accessible way to manage cross-border transactions.
Mpesa Global enables you to:
- Support family overseas
- Send money home when working abroad
- Manage business transactions
At the heart of this service lies the ability to connect to millions of bank accounts and over half a million Western Union locations worldwide. You gain the convenience of leveraging M-Pesa’s renowned mobile platform to ensure your financial transactions are executed swiftly and securely, bridging the gap between you and your international monetary needs.
Embracing a service like M-Pesa Global means engaging with an international payment solution that is not only reliable but also ingrained in the daily lives of numerous users in the country.
M-pesa Global requirements
- You must have an active Safaricom line
- Must have an active M-pesa account
- You need to opt-in to M-pesa Global
Registering for M-PESA Global
Getting started with M-PESA Global is straightforward. You can register either through the M-PESA app or via the USSD code *840#.
![M-pesa Global 1 Send money to bank accounts across the world M-pesa Global](https://money.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/send-money-to-bank-accounts-across-the-world-m-pesa-global.webp)
![M-pesa Global 2 Top-up and withdraw from PayPal using Mpesa app](https://money.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/top-up-and-withdraw-from-paypal-using-mpesa-app.webp)
Here’s how to opt-in to M-PESA Global:
Using the USSD Code
- *Dial 840# on your Safaricom line.
- Read and accept the Terms and Conditions.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the opt-in process.
- Wait for the confirmation message from Safaricom
Via M-PESA App
- Open the M-PESA app
- Navigate to the Transact tab at the bottom of your app screen
- Select the Global option
- Enter your region … in our case, we simply entered Kenya
- Accept Terms of service
- Click on the Opt-in button
- Enter your M-pesa pin to confirm
![M-pesa Global 3 M-pesa global enter M-PESA PIN](https://money.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/m-pesa-global-enter-m-pesa-pin-e1709996344854.webp)
- Wait for the confirmation message from Safaricom
The confirmation message will read:
Dear [YOUR NAME]’ Welcome to M-PESA Global services. To transact, dial *840# or use MySafaricom App.
Using the MySafaricom App:
- Open the MySafaricom App.
- Go to the M-PESA menu.
- Select “M-PESA Global”.
- Read and accept the Terms and Conditions.
- Follow the prompts to complete the opt-in process.
How to use M-PESA Global
Using M-PESA Global is intuitive, especially if you’re familiar with the M-PESA interface.
Sending money internationally with the M-PESA app
- Open the app and select the ‘Transact‘ option.
- Choose ‘Global‘ from the list, under SEND and REQUEST.
- Select your preferred transaction type:
- Send to mobile account
- Send to a bank account
- Send via Western Union
- Send to Roaming Pickup
- Top-up PayPal, etc.
- Enter your receiver’s details. Depending on the method you choose above, details may include:
- Receiving country
- First and last name
- Address
- Bank details, and may include
- Bank IBAN / routing number
- Account number
- Bank address
- Receiver country code
- Receiver phone number
- Enter the amount you want to send.
- Select the purpose of the funds.
![M-pesa Global 4 M-pesa Global Send to Western Union](https://money.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/m-pesa-global-send-to-western-union.webp)
- Confirm the transaction details and charges
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to authorize the transaction.
Things to note:
- Exchange rates and transaction fees will apply.
- The recipient’s bank may also charge additional fees.
- The funds may take a few business days to reach the recipient’s account, depending on the destination country and bank.
Sending money globally via USSD in Kenya
- Dial *840# on your Safaricom line.
- Select “Send money abroad”.
- Choose “To Bank Account”.
- Enter the recipient’s details (name, bank account number, bank name, SWIFT Code/IBAN, country).
- Enter the amount you want to send.
- Select the purpose of the funds.
- Confirm the transaction details and charges.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to authorize the transaction.
M-PESA Global services
M-PESA Global offers a wide range of services to meet your international transaction needs:
a) Western Union
Send money to over 200 countries and territories worldwide
Here’s a breakdown of how to send money to Western Union via M-PESA Global using both the USSD code and the MySafaricom App:
Using the USSD Code (840#):
- *Dial 840# on your phone.
- Select “Send Money Abroad” from the menu options.
- Choose “Western Union”.
- Choose the receiving country
- Enter the recipient’s information:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Middle Name (if they have one)
- Enter the amount you want to send (in Kenyan Shillings, i.e your currency, not in theirs).
- Choose your source of funds.
![M-pesa Global 5 M-pesa Global Send to Western Union source of funds](https://money.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/m-pesa-global-send-to-western-union-source-of-funds.webp)
- Select the purpose of the transfer (e.g., family support, travel, education).
- Review the transaction details including exchange rates and any fees.
- Send to Western Union
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the transaction.
- Receive your MTCN transaction reference
Using the M-pesa App:
- Open your M-PESA App.
- Navigate to the Transact tab
- Select the Global option under SEND and REQUEST
- Choose “Send to Western Union”.
- Select the country
- Enter the recipient’s information:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Middle Name (if they have one)
- Enter the amount you wish to send.
- Choose your source of funds.
- Select the purpose of the funds.
- Review the transaction details including exchange rates and any fees.
- Click on Send to Western Union
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the transaction.
- Receive your MTCN transaction reference
Important reminders:
- MTCN: After the transaction, you’ll receive an MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number). Give this number to the recipient, as they’ll need it to pick up the cash at a Western Union location.
- Government ID: The recipient will need to present a valid government-issued ID that matches the name you provided when sending the money.
- Fees and Rates: Be sure to check the current transaction fees and exchange rates before sending the money.
b) Sending to Mobile
Easily send money to mobile wallets in selected countries. At the moment, you can send money globally to these countries via phone number option:
Tanzania (+255) | Rwanda (+250) | Uganda (+256) |
Zambia (+260) | Malawi (+265) | Botswana (+267) |
Burundi (+257) | Pakistan (+92) | Bangladesh (+880) |
To use this option simply select Send to Mobile from the Global options, and select your contact or enter phone number manually, then confirm the transaction by entering your M-pesa PIN
c) PayPal transactions
This leverages the PayPal to Mpesa service. Here you can:
- Link your PayPal account
- Top-up your balance, or
- Withdraw funds to your M-PESA.
d) Roaming Pickup
M-PESA Global Roaming pickup is a feature that enables M-PESA registered customers to withdraw cash from a Vodacom Agent while in Tanzania.
This service is part of the M-PESA Global offerings that extend the convenience of the M-PESA platform to users who are traveling outside Kenya, allowing them to access their funds and perform transactions in different countries.
M-pesa Global Limits:
- Minimum amount to send: Kshs 101
- Maximum amount to send per transaction: Kshs 70,000
Receiving money from abroad
Yes, it is possible to receive funds from the US, UK, Europe, and UAE. You won’t be charged any fees for these transfers due to partnerships between Safaricom and various money transfer services.
Sending and Receiving Money within East Africa
M-PESA Global facilitates easy transactions within the East African region, promoting regional trade and support among families and businesses.
M-PESA Global charges
The charges for using M-PESA Global vary depending on the transaction type, amount, and destination. It’s important to check the latest fees directly in the M-PESA app or by visiting the Safaricom website to ensure you have the most accurate information.
Here are the current charges:
Transaction amount (KES) | Tariff charges (KES) |
---|---|
101 — 5000 | 100 |
5,001 — 15,000 | 250 |
15001 — 35,000 | 350 |
35001 — 70,000 | 500 |
M-PESA Global FAQs
In which currency will the recipient receive the funds?
Recipients receive funds in their local currency, ensuring convenience and avoiding additional exchange rate fees.
Can one send money to all banks globally?
You can send money to banks in specific countries listed within the M-PESA Global service. It’s best to check the current list of supported countries and banks for the most accurate information.
What is a Country ISO?
A Country ISO is a three-letter code that represents the country in international transactions, ensuring the accurate routing of funds. See a complete list of ISOs here
What is a secret word?
A secret word is a security feature required for certain transactions, like Western Union pickups, ensuring that only the intended recipient can collect the funds.
Conclusion
M-PESA Global is transforming how Kenyans interact with the global financial landscape, offering a robust, user-friendly platform for international money transfers.