Airtel Money charges in Kenya depend on two things: whether the money stays on the Airtel network, and how much you move. Airtel to Airtel transfers are free at every amount. Agent withdrawals cost between KES 11 and KES 309, and sending to another network costs between KES 7 and KES 108, according to Airtel Kenya’s tariff guide.
Airtel raised its withdrawal and other-network fees in a July 2026 tariff review, so older fee charts online are out of date. (Biznakenya)
→ Use the free Airtel Money Charges Calculator at MetricSuite.tools to calculate this instantly, no signup required.
Need a Freelancer for This?
Hire verified talent on Fiverr — starting from $5. No contracts, no hassle.
Browse Fiverr Freelancers →Airtel Money Kenya tariff table 2026
| Amount (KES) | Airtel to Airtel | Send to other network (KES) | Agent withdrawal (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 – 49 | Free | Not offered | Not offered |
| 50 – 100 | Free | Not offered | 11 |
| 101 – 500 | Free | 7 | 29 |
| 501 – 1,000 | Free | 13 | 29 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | Free | 23 | 29 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | Free | 33 | 29 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | Free | 53 | 52 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | Free | 57 | 69 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | Free | 78 | 87 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | Free | 90 | 115 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | Free | 100 | 167 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | Free | 105 | 185 |
| 20,001 – 35,000 | Free | 108 | 197 |
| 35,001 – 50,000 | Free | 108 | 278 |
| 50,001 – 250,000 | Free | 108 | 309 |
Confirm the fee on *334# or the My Airtel App before you transact. Agents require your original National ID or Kenyan passport.
What Airtel Money withdrawals cost as a percentage
The fee is flat within each band, so small withdrawals cost the most per shilling.
| Withdrawal (KES) | Fee (KES) | Fee as % of amount |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | 29 | 5.80% |
| 2,500 | 29 | 1.16% |
| 5,000 | 69 | 1.38% |
| 10,000 | 115 | 1.15% |
| 20,000 | 185 | 0.93% |
| 50,000 | 278 | 0.56% |
| 250,000 | 309 | 0.12% |
A KES 500 withdrawal loses 5.8% to fees. A KES 50,000 withdrawal loses 0.56%.
Send to another network or withdraw cash?
If the person you are paying has M-Pesa or another wallet, sending to them costs less than withdrawing cash to hand over, for amounts above KES 3,500.
| Amount (KES) | Send to other network | Agent withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 90 | 115 |
| 20,000 | 105 | 185 |
| 50,000 | 108 | 278 |
The recipient’s network applies its own charges if they cash out.
Band edges: where one shilling costs you more
- KES 3,500 costs KES 52. KES 3,501 costs KES 69.
- KES 10,000 costs KES 115. KES 10,001 costs KES 167.
- KES 35,000 costs KES 197. KES 35,001 costs KES 278.
Withdrawing KES 36,000 in one transaction costs KES 278. Withdrawing KES 35,000 and then KES 1,000 costs KES 226 (197 plus 29).
Airtel Money limits and tax in Kenya
- Maximum per transaction: KES 250,000.
- Maximum daily transaction value: KES 500,000.
- Maximum wallet balance: KES 500,000.
Kenya charges 15% excise duty on money transfer fees, and Airtel raised its cross-network fees to pass the cost on. (Business Daily) The confirmation prompt shows the charge you pay.
How to cut your Airtel Money charges in Kenya
- Keep transfers on-net. Airtel to Airtel is free at every amount.
- Send instead of withdrawing when the recipient has a wallet on another network.
- Avoid small withdrawals. Anything from KES 101 to KES 2,500 costs a flat KES 29.
- Stop at the top of a band. One extra shilling can add KES 12 to KES 81 to the fee.
Airtel Money vs M-Pesa
For the Safaricom side of the comparison, read the M-Pesa fees 2026 transaction cost guide. For all networks side by side, see the mobile money fees comparison.
Check your Airtel Money charges in Kenya before you withdraw
Airtel revises its Kenya tariff from time to time. Run your amount through the free Airtel Money Charges Calculator at MetricSuite.tools to calculate this instantly, no signup required, then confirm the fee on *334# before you send or withdraw.
Key Takeaways
- Airtel to Airtel transfers in Kenya are free at every amount.
- Agent withdrawals cost KES 11 to KES 309. Other-network transfers cost KES 7 to KES 108.
- Withdrawals of KES 500 lose about 5.8% to fees. Withdrawals of KES 50,000 lose about 0.56%.
- Above KES 3,500, sending to another network is cheaper than withdrawing cash.
- The maximum per transaction is KES 250,000.
Tariffs last reviewed: September 2026.
FAQ
Is Airtel Money to Airtel Money transfer free in Kenya?
Yes. Airtel to Airtel transfers are free at every amount, according to Airtel Kenya’s tariff guide.
How much does Airtel Money charge to withdraw KES 5,000?
KES 69 at an agent, which is 1.38% of the amount. Withdrawals from KES 3,501 to KES 5,000 fall in the same band.
How much does it cost to send money from Airtel Money to M-Pesa?
KES 7 for KES 101 to 500, rising to KES 108 for amounts above KES 20,000. Transfers below KES 101 to other networks are not offered.
What is the maximum you can send or withdraw on Airtel Money Kenya?
KES 250,000 per transaction, KES 500,000 per day, and KES 500,000 wallet balance.
Why did Airtel Money fees go up in Kenya?
Airtel raised its cross-network and withdrawal fees in 2026. Kenya also charges 15% excise duty on money transfer fees, and Airtel has passed the cost on to customers since 2022.
Sources
- Airtel Kenya official tariff guide (fees, limits, ID requirement): https://www.airtelkenya.com/ke/personal/tariffs-charges
- July 2026 tariff revision (press report): https://biznakenya.com/airtel-raises-airtel-money-charges-on-withdrawals/
- 15% excise duty on transaction fees, Airtel to Airtel free: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/airtel-increases-mobile-money-transaction-fees–4413334
- Short code *334# and My Airtel App (2023 tariff revision): https://techtrendske.co.ke/2023/10/25/airtel-money-revises-mobile-money-charges/