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Across Kenya and many parts of Africa, M-Pesa has transformed mobile banking by providing a dependable way to send money, pay bills, and save. If you’re thinking about becoming an M-Pesa agent, it’s important to understand how the commission system works.
Agents earn a percentage for every transaction they handle, like deposits and withdrawals. The earnings depend on the amount transacted and the commission structure set by Safaricom, giving agents a great opportunity to make money while offering an essential service.
Agents play a key role by helping customers deposit or withdraw cash and earn commissions for their work, acting as the bridge between Safaricom and its users.
An M-Pesa agent acts as a middleman between Safaricom and its customers, helping people deposit or withdraw money easily. They run their services from physical shops or kiosks known as agent outlets.
Safaricom supports agents with resources like commission guides, branded materials, and helpful tools to ensure smooth operations.
M-Pesa, created by Safaricom, is a mobile money service that lets people manage their finances straight from their phones. It connects a SIM card to a digital wallet, making transactions quick, safe, and easy.
Users can add cash to their M-Pesa account by visiting any M-Pesa agent, like a local shop or retailer, and they can take out cash from their account at an agent location or ATM. With M-Pesa, there’s no need to carry physical money because users can store funds in their account and use them for transactions.
M-Pesa also makes it easy to send money to other users, pay for services, or shop with M-Pesa merchants—all from a mobile phone. Transactions are processed instantly, and users receive an SMS confirmation for each one, ensuring everything is quick, safe, and convenient.
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An M-Pesa agent’s earnings per transaction depend on whether it’s a deposit or a withdrawal and the amount involved. Deposit commissions are generally lower compared to what agents earn from withdrawals.
With the updated rates, agents now earn between Ksh 50 to Ksh 100 on even the smallest deposits. This makes the M-Pesa agent business highly rewarding, especially when set up in busy areas with lots of people passing through.
Choosing the right location with high foot traffic can significantly boost your profits.
Safaricom occasionally updates the commission rates for M-Pesa transactions. These changes are made at their discretion, but the company ensures agents are notified in advance to prevent misunderstandings.
Below is the latest breakdown of M-Pesa deposit rates:
Deposit Bands (Ksh) | Agent Commission (Ksh) |
50 – 100 | 4 |
101-510 | 8 |
511 – 1,010 | 9 |
1,011 – 1,510 | 10 |
1,511 – 2,510 | 11 |
2,511 – 3,510 | 12 |
3,511 – 5,010 | 14 |
5,011 – 7,510 | 20 |
7,511 – 10,010 | 28 |
10,011 – 15,010 | 40 |
15,011 – 20,020 | 55 |
20,021 – 25,020 | 71 |
25,021 – 30,020 | 87 |
30,021 – 35,020 | 103 |
35,021 – 40,020 | 119 |
40,021 – 45,020 | 135 |
45,021 – 50,020 | 150 |
50,021 – 70,000 | 190 |
70,001 – 150,000 | 190 |
As an M-Pesa agent, you’ll earn more from withdrawal transactions since they offer higher commissions than deposits. Here’s the latest breakdown of the commission rates for withdrawals:
Transaction amount (Ksh) | Commission (Ksh) (For registered customers) | Commission (Ksh) (For unregistered customers) |
10 – 49 | N/A | N/A |
50 -100 | 5 | N/A |
101 – 500 | 8 | 8 |
501 – 1,000 | 10 | 10 |
1,001 – 1,500 | 12 | 12 |
1,501 – 2,500 | 15 | 15 |
2,501 – 3,500 | 20 | 20 |
3,501 – 5,000 | 25 | 25 |
5,001 – 7,500 | 30 | 30 |
7,501 – 10,000 | 35 | 35 |
10,001 – 15,000 | 45 | 45 |
15,001 – 20,000 | 60 | 60 |
20,001 – 25,000 | 65 | 65 |
25,001 – 30,000 | 70 | 70 |
30,001 – 35,000 | 70 | 70 |
35,001 – 40,000 | 100 | N/A |
40,001 – 45,000 | 150 | N/A |
45,001 – 50,000 | 180 | N/A |
50,001 – 150,000 | 200 | N/A |
Taking cash out with an ATM card comes with fees, depending on how much you withdraw.
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To boost your M-Pesa commission, there are two effective strategies you can use. First, choose a location with good foot traffic. The more people who visit your shop, the more transactions you’ll make, which leads to higher earnings.
Make sure your shop is in a busy area, but also ensure it’s clean, well-decorated, and offers great customer service. A pleasant environment will draw in more customers and encourage them to return.
Second, consider getting an aggregated Safaricom M-Pesa line. This line type was introduced to help agents avoid fraud, ensuring that no one claims more than their fair share of commission.
Both new and existing agents can apply for aggregated lines, and they come with the advantage of earning a larger commission. With an aggregated line, you get 80% of the commission, while 20% goes to your principal agent. This is much better than the 40% less you’d earn with a regular line.
If you’ve figured out how to boost your M-Pesa commissions, the next step is learning how to check and withdraw them. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you do just that:
Once you’ve checked your balance, withdrawing your commission is simple:
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To start, agents require a minimum float of around Ksh 100,000, depending on their location and expected transaction volumes.
Yes, Safaricom often sets monthly transaction targets. Agents who meet or exceed these targets may qualify for bonuses.
Yes, although deposit commissions are lower compared to withdrawals.
Agents must maintain their float balance and may incur costs for rent, licenses, or additional equipment.
Agents play a vital role in delivering important financial services, earning commissions while helping Safaricom serve its large customer base. To boost your earnings as an agent, it’s crucial to understand how the M-Pesa commission system works. Using tools like the Safaricom M-Pesa commission chart and keeping your float well-managed can make a big difference in growing your income.
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