Quick answer: Since July 2025 you withdraw PayPal money to M-Pesa inside the M-PESA app: open Services → Global → PayPal, link your PayPal account, enter the USD amount, check the shillings you will receive and confirm with your M-PESA PIN. Without a smartphone, dial *840# and choose PayPal. The old PayPal–M-Pesa website was retired, so ignore anyone sending you other links.
Can PayPal Send Money to M-Pesa?
Yes. Kenyan PayPal accounts can receive payments from clients and platforms abroad, and Safaricom’s PayPal service moves that balance to M-Pesa. You can also top up PayPal from M-Pesa to pay for online purchases.
What You Need
- A Kenyan PayPal account (personal or business) verified with your email and a card or bank where required.
- An M-Pesa line registered in the same name as the PayPal account.
- The latest M-PESA app, or the *840# menu.
How to Withdraw From PayPal to M-Pesa (Step by Step)
- Open the M-PESA app and tap Services, then Global, then PayPal.
- Link your PayPal account the first time (log in to PayPal when asked and approve).
- Choose Withdraw and enter the amount in US dollars.
- Check the shilling amount you will receive (the exchange rate is shown before you confirm).
- Confirm with your M-PESA PIN or fingerprint.
- Wait for the SMS; most withdrawals arrive within minutes, some take longer.
Limits, Fees and Exchange Rate
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Exchange rate | Shown in the app before you confirm; it includes a conversion margin |
| Fees | PayPal and M-Pesa charges can apply; check the summary screen |
| Limits | Normal M-Pesa transaction and daily limits apply |
| Timing | Usually minutes; large amounts can take longer |
Compare the shillings you receive with today’s exchange rate so you know the real cost. Withdrawing larger amounts less often can reduce fixed charges.
How to Get Paid on PayPal From Kenya
- Freelance platforms and clients abroad (writing, design, VA work).
- Selling digital products to buyers outside Kenya.
- Affiliate programmes that pay by PayPal.
Read how to make money online in Kenya and our guides to freelancing on this blog.
PayPal Scams to Avoid
- Fake "PayPal to M-Pesa agents" who ask for your login. Use only the official M-PESA app.
- "Overpayment" tricks: a buyer sends more than the price and asks for a refund to another account, then reverses the payment.
- Emails that look like PayPal asking you to click a link: open the PayPal app yourself instead.
- Chargebacks on physical goods with no proof of delivery: keep delivery records.
Example: A Freelance Writer’s Monthly Routine
A writer in Nakuru invoices two foreign clients through PayPal. At the end of each month she checks the exchange rate in the M-PESA app, withdraws in one go to keep charges down, moves part of it straight into savings and keeps a screenshot of every withdrawal for her records.
Your First 30 Days
- Week 1: open and verify PayPal with the same name as your M-Pesa line.
- Week 2: link PayPal in the M-PESA app and test a small withdrawal.
- Week 3: set up an invoice template for clients.
- Week 4: record every payment and withdrawal for tax and budgeting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Names that do not match between PayPal and M-Pesa.
- Using unofficial "agents" or websites.
- Refunding "overpayments" to strangers.
- Not checking the exchange rate before confirming.
Stay safe: never pay a "registration", "activation" or "withdrawal" fee to get paid, and never share your password or M-Pesa PIN. Real online income comes from people paying for your content, products or skills.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link PayPal to M-Pesa?
Yes, in the M-PESA app under Services → Global → PayPal, or through *840#.
How long does PayPal to M-Pesa take?
Usually minutes; some withdrawals take longer.
How much does PayPal to M-Pesa cost?
The app shows the exchange rate and any charges before you confirm.
Can I receive money on PayPal in Kenya?
Yes, Kenyan PayPal accounts can receive payments and withdraw to M-Pesa.
Why is my PayPal to M-Pesa failing?
Common causes are mismatched names, an unverified PayPal account or limits; check both accounts.
Is the old PayPal M-Pesa website still working?
No; withdrawals moved into the M-PESA app in 2025.
Cover photo: A woman on her phone outside an M-Pesa agent in Kenya. Photo: Jackline on the phone by wrcomms, CC BY-SA 2.0.
