The verdict in three sentences
In Nairobi, a 50-product store wired to M-Pesa STK Push launches for KSh 60,000 to 180,000 in development. Intra-city delivery costs KSh 200 to 500 via Sendy or Glovo depending on the estate. M-Pesa is non-negotiable in Kenya: with STK Push, buyers confirm payment from a prompt on their phone, and abandonment collapses.
Budget for a 50-product Nairobi store
Kenya is an M-Pesa-first market, which simplifies the payment stack. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude.
| Item | Starter (50 products) | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Store development | KSh 60,000 | KSh 130,000 |
| M-Pesa STK Push integration | Included | Included |
| Design + photos | KSh 12,000 | KSh 28,000 |
| Delivery zone configuration | KSh 8,000 | KSh 18,000 |
| International cards (Stripe) | — | KSh 22,000 |
| Turnkey total | KSh 60,000–180,000 | KSh 130,000–260,000 |
Recurring costs: hosting KSh 2,000–6,000/month, maintenance KSh 4,000–14,000/month.
Payment and delivery fees
Here are the 2026 fees to build into your Nairobi margin.
| Channel | 2026 fee | Delay | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-Pesa STK Push | ~1–1.5 % | Instant | Dominant |
| Airtel Money | ~1.5 % | Instant | Secondary |
| International card (Stripe) | 2.9 % + fixed | 2–7 days | Global |
| Intra-city delivery | KSh 200–500 | Same day | By estate |
| Outside Nairobi | KSh 400–1,200 | 24–72 h | Courier |
On a KSh 1,800 basket, M-Pesa takes about KSh 18–27 versus KSh 52 + fixed for a card.
Go-live timeline
Days 1 to 3: catalogue and photos. Days 4 to 9: development, cart, M-Pesa STK Push. Days 10 to 12: webhooks, payment tests, delivery. Days 13 to 15: mobile 3G QA and go-live.
Mini case study
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Wanjiru, who runs a deli in Westlands, launches a Starter store for KSh 130,000. Average basket KSh 1,800, 220 orders in month one → KSh 396,000. M-Pesa fees (1.3 %): KSh 5,148. Delivery passed on to the customer at KSh 350. With hosting + maintenance (KSh 14,000/month), her store pays off within the first month, excluding cost of goods.
FAQ
Do I need anything beyond M-Pesa?
Rarely. M-Pesa dominates Nairobi; STK Push alone covers most buyers. Adding Airtel Money is a small extra for full coverage.
How much is delivery in Nairobi?
Between KSh 200 and 500 intra-city via Sendy or Glovo, and KSh 400 to 1,200 upcountry. The customer pays at checkout.
How long to go live?
13 to 15 days for a 50-product Starter, M-Pesa STK Push checkout included and tested.
Can I sell internationally?
Yes, with Stripe (2.9 % + fixed) as a Growth option at KSh 22,000 for foreign cards.
What are the monthly costs?
Between KSh 6,000 and 20,000/month depending on hosting and maintenance. A Starter runs around KSh 14,000/month.
Let's talk about your project. We will scope your Nairobi store with M-Pesa STK Push within 48 hours. 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.
