How to Transfer Money from M-Pesa to Bank Account in Kenya (2026)
Step-by-step instructions for transferring money from M-Pesa to any bank account in Kenya. Includes USSD codes, fees by amount, supported banks, and how long transfers take to complete.
By PesaMarket Research Team · Last updated February 2026
To send money from M-Pesa to a bank account: dial *334#, select Send Money, then Send to Bank, choose the bank, enter the account number and amount. The transfer costs KES 0-197 depending on the amount and completes within 1-3 business hours.
Step-by-Step: M-Pesa to Bank Transfer via USSD
Follow these steps to transfer money from your M-Pesa wallet to any bank account in Kenya:
1. Dial *334# on your Safaricom line
2. Select "Send Money" (Option 1)
3. Select "Send to Bank" (this option may appear as "Send to Bank/Pesalink")
4. Choose the recipient's bank from the list
5. Enter the bank account number
6. Enter the amount you want to send
7. Enter your M-Pesa PIN to confirm
8. You will receive a confirmation SMS with the transaction ID
You can also transfer via the M-Pesa app (Safaricom app): open the app, tap "Send Money", select "To Bank Account", fill in the details, and confirm with your PIN.
Supported banks include all major Kenyan banks: Equity Bank, KCB, Co-operative Bank, NCBA, Absa Kenya, Standard Chartered, Stanbic, DTB, I&M Bank, Family Bank, and 30+ others.
M-Pesa to Bank Transfer Fees (2026)
M-Pesa to bank transfer fees depend on the amount being sent. These fees are deducted from your M-Pesa balance at the time of the transfer.
| Amount Range (KES) | Transfer Fee (KES) |
|---|---|
| 1 - 100 | Free |
| 101 - 500 | 25 |
| 501 - 1,000 | 30 |
| 1,001 - 1,500 | 30 |
| 1,501 - 2,500 | 35 |
| 2,501 - 3,500 | 40 |
| 3,501 - 5,000 | 45 |
| 5,001 - 10,000 | 65 |
| 10,001 - 20,000 | 117 |
| 20,001 - 35,000 | 142 |
| 35,001 - 50,000 | 167 |
| 50,001 - 150,000 | 197 |
How Long Does M-Pesa to Bank Take?
Standard M-Pesa to bank transfers complete within 1-3 business hours during banking hours (Monday-Friday 8am-4pm). Transfers initiated outside banking hours or on weekends may take until the next business day.
Equity Bank and KCB tend to process M-Pesa transfers fastest, often within minutes, due to their deep integration with Safaricom. Other banks may take the full 1-3 hours.
For instant bank transfers, consider using Pesalink instead. Pesalink transfers settle in seconds and cost only KES 10-50. However, Pesalink requires you to initiate the transfer from your bank's app rather than from M-Pesa.
If your transfer has not arrived after 24 hours, call Safaricom customer care at 100 (from Safaricom) or 0722 002 100 (from other networks) with your transaction ID.
Bank Paybill Numbers for Direct Deposit
An alternative to the USSD method is sending money directly to your bank's Paybill number via Lipa na M-Pesa. This method is sometimes faster and may have promotional fee reductions.
To use this method: dial *334#, select Lipa na M-Pesa, select Pay Bill, enter the bank's Paybill number, enter your account number as the Account Reference, enter the amount, and confirm with your PIN.
| Bank | Paybill Number | Account Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Bank | 247247 | Bank account number |
| KCB | 522522 | Bank account number |
| Co-operative Bank | 400200 | Bank account number |
| NCBA | 880100 | Bank account number |
| Absa Kenya | 303030 | Bank account number |
| Standard Chartered | 329329 | Bank account number |
| Stanbic Bank | 600100 | Bank account number |
| DTB | 516600 | Bank account number |
| I&M Bank | 542542 | Bank account number |
| Family Bank | 222111 | Bank account number |
M-Pesa to Bank Transfer Limits
M-Pesa has daily and per-transaction limits that apply to bank transfers:
The maximum single transaction for M-Pesa to bank is KES 150,000. The daily M-Pesa transaction limit is KES 300,000 across all transactions (sends, payments, and withdrawals combined).
If you need to transfer more than KES 150,000, you can split it into multiple transactions on the same day (up to the KES 300,000 daily cap) or use Pesalink or RTGS through your bank for larger amounts.
There is no minimum transfer amount for M-Pesa to bank. You can send as little as KES 1, though transfers under KES 100 are free, making small transfers cost-effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I transfer M-Pesa to bank on weekends?
- You can initiate the transfer on weekends, but it may not reflect in the bank account until Monday. Equity Bank and KCB often process weekend transfers within a few hours, but other banks typically process them on the next business day.
- Why is my M-Pesa to bank transfer delayed?
- Common causes include bank system downtime, incorrect account numbers, transfers initiated outside banking hours, or Safaricom system congestion. If the transfer fails, the money is automatically reversed to your M-Pesa within 24-48 hours.
- Is it cheaper to use Paybill or Send to Bank?
- The fees are generally similar, but some banks run promotional periods where Paybill deposits are cheaper or free. Check your bank's current promotions. Equity Bank and KCB frequently offer reduced fees for Paybill deposits.
- Can I transfer M-Pesa to a bank account in another person's name?
- Yes. M-Pesa to bank transfers do not require name matching. You can send to any valid bank account number regardless of the account holder's name. The bank processes it as a deposit to that account.
- What is the M-Pesa to bank transfer code?
- Dial *334# and follow the menu: Send Money then Send to Bank. Alternatively, use the specific bank Paybill numbers: Equity 247247, KCB 522522, Co-op 400200, NCBA 880100, Absa 303030.
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