Kenya is one of the most advanced mobile money markets in the world. M-Pesa processes more transactions annually than many national banking systems. If your website can't accept M-Pesa, you're asking Kenyan customers to use a payment method that isn't their default — and most won't bother.
How M-Pesa Website Integration Works
Safaricom's Daraja API allows websites to trigger what's called an STK Push — a payment prompt that appears directly on the customer's phone. The customer enters their PIN, the payment is confirmed, and your website receives confirmation in seconds. The entire process takes under 30 seconds and requires no card, no bank account, and no app download.
What You Need to Get Started
- A registered Safaricom PayBill or Till number
- A Daraja API developer account (free at developer.safaricom.co.ke)
- A website with a backend that can handle webhooks
- KES 0 — there are no upfront integration fees
Transaction Fees
Safaricom charges a transaction fee that varies by amount — typically between 0% and 1.5% depending on your agreement. For most small business volumes, this is significantly cheaper than card processing fees.
At LCN254, we include M-Pesa integration in all our e-commerce and booking templates. It's not an add-on — it's the default, because it's how Kenya pays.