The verdict in three sentences
M-Pesa via the Daraja API is often the cheapest for merchants in Kenya and Tanzania, with collection fees between 0 % and 1.5 %. MTN MoMo charges roughly 1.5 % to 2 % in Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda, while Airtel Money sits between 2 % and 3 %. On a multi-million monthly volume, operator choice directly shapes your net margin.
Merchant fee comparison by operator
The grids below are 2026 orders of magnitude for merchant collection, excluding API subscription and customer withdrawal fees.
| Operator | Main countries | Merchant fee | Daily limit | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M-Pesa | KE, TZ | 0 % to 1.5 % (Daraja) | KES 500,000 | Same-day to T+1 |
| MTN MoMo | GH, UG, RW | 1.5 % to 2 % | UGX 7M / GHS tiers | T+1 to T+2 |
| Airtel Money | UG, KE, TZ, RW | 2 % to 3 % | UGX 7M | T+1 to T+2 |
| Tigo Pesa | TZ | 1.5 % to 2.5 % | TZS tiers | T+2 |
| Vodafone Cash | GH | 1.5 % to 2 % | GHS tiers | T+1 |
Real cost on three typical tickets
To make the decision concrete, here is the estimated collection cost on three basket sizes, operator by operator (KES-equivalent for clarity).
| Ticket | M-Pesa (1 %) | MTN MoMo (1.5 %) | Airtel (2.5 %) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 5 | 7.5 | 12.5 |
| 5,000 | 50 | 75 | 125 |
| 50,000 | 500 | 750 | 1,250 |
| 100,000 | 1,000 | 1,500 | 2,500 |
| Total 4 tickets | 1,555 | 2,332.5 | 3,887.5 |
USSD cost (for customers without smartphones) adds a small government levy per transaction in several markets, worth factoring in if your base is largely rural.
Mini case study
Awa, who runs a cosmetics shop in Nairobi, collects 4,500,000 KES/month in average tickets of 1,500 KES. Moving from Airtel (2.5 %) to M-Pesa Daraja (1 %) saves her 1.5 % of volume, i.e. 67,500 KES/month, or 810,000 KES/year — roughly the cost of a Starter e-commerce site paid off in a year.
FAQ
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Which operator should I prioritise in Kenya in 2026?
M-Pesa via Daraja for its low collection cost (0-1.5 %) and same-day to T+1 settlement. Airtel is a useful complement for reach.
Is the daily limit a blocker?
For most SMEs, no. Beyond KES 500,000/day, an enhanced KYC merchant tier raises the ceiling, usually within 5 to 15 days.
Can I combine several operators on one site?
Yes, and it is recommended: a multi-operator checkout cuts cart abandonment. A single aggregator API avoids managing three separate contracts.
Are Airtel fees really higher?
As a 2026 order of magnitude, Airtel sits 0.5 to 1.5 points above M-Pesa on merchant collection — marginal on small tickets, significant on large volumes.
How do I test these fees before committing?
Most aggregators offer a free sandbox. At Kolonell we set up a test environment with small real transactions before any production launch.
Let's talk about your project. We integrate MTN MoMo, Airtel and M-Pesa into a single checkout tuned for your margin. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.