Kenya’s M-Pesa builds global bridges with new remittance and payments partnerships

Kenya’s mobile money leader M-Pesa is pushing deeper into global markets with new partnerships designed to make international payments faster, cheaper, and easier. The moves are aimed at both individuals sending money abroad and businesses seeking smoother cross-border transactions.

The most visible development is M-Pesa’s direct integration with PayPal, now available within the M-Pesa super app. The upgrade allows users to send and receive money through PayPal without leaving the app, making the process faster and more intuitive. Freelancers, small business owners, and online sellers who work with international clients can now access funds in minutes instead of days. The setup is straightforward: link the accounts, log in once, and transactions are handled inside a single platform.

This step reflects M-Pesa’s broader strategy to evolve into a comprehensive financial and lifestyle hub. By embedding global payment services into its app, the company is strengthening its position as the go-to platform for everyday money management in Kenya. For gig workers and entrepreneurs, the integration means they can more easily accept payments from markets like the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Alongside the PayPal move, M-Pesa has launched an outbound remittance service in partnership with an international payment network, enabling real-time transfers to mobile wallets in countries including Bangladesh and Pakistan. Expansion to India and Nepal is planned. The feature provides a new, affordable channel for people sending money to family members abroad, with funds often arriving instantly.

These changes could have a significant impact on Africa’s growing remittance market. Kenya is a major recipient of remittances, and mobile money has long been a preferred method for sending and receiving funds domestically. Extending that convenience to cross-border payments reduces reliance on traditional remittance services, which can be slower and more expensive.

While the integrations mark a major step forward, some challenges remain. Exchange rate differences, transfer fees, and occasional transaction delays can still affect user experience. Mismatched account details can cause linking errors, and compliance with global financial regulations adds layers of complexity to international payments.

Even so, M-Pesa’s influence on the Kenyan economy is undeniable. The service processes transactions worth more than half the country’s GDP each year and has become essential for daily commerce. These new partnerships strengthen its reach beyond Kenya’s borders, connecting users to the global economy in ways that were previously out of reach.

With its vast agent network, brand trust, and growing suite of digital tools, M-Pesa is positioning itself as more than a mobile wallet. It is becoming a bridge between local users and the rest of the world, turning a mobile phone into a gateway for global trade, income, and family support.