STRIPE · KENYA · MERCHANTS

Stripe in Kenya: what your options are and where M-Pesa fits

Stripe is not always a straightforward choice for a business registered in Kenya, and the right answer depends on how your business is set up. This page explains the main routes, the types of third-party gateways available, and where Payment Gateway Kenya fits as an M-Pesa acceptance option.

Many Kenyan merchants start by searching for Stripe because it is well known to developers and online stores. Before you plan an integration, check Stripe's official country availability page. It shows which countries can open an account directly and which features are offered there. Your checkout plan should follow what that page says on the day you check it.

Confirm on Stripe's official country availability page whether your business entity can open a direct account.
Work out which payment methods your Kenyan customers expect. For most local buyers, that includes M-Pesa.
Compare third-party gateways that serve Kenya. Start with our overview of payment service providers in Kenya.
If M-Pesa acceptance is the gap, see how M-Pesa payments through Payment Gateway Kenya work.

Direct Stripe accounts vs extended network access

Merchants tend to meet Stripe in one of two ways. In countries listed for direct accounts, a business signs up with Stripe itself and holds the account in its own local entity. In other markets, access may come through an extended network, such as partner arrangements or platforms built on Stripe. Some businesses also use an entity registered in a supported country.

Each route has different requirements for business documents, settlement currency, bank accounts and supported payment methods. These details can change. Do not rely on forum posts or older articles. Check Stripe's official country availability and documentation for the current position.

Questions to answer before choosing a Stripe route
Question	Direct account	Extended network or other entity
Who holds the merchant relationship?	Your business and Stripe	May involve a partner, a platform or a foreign entity
Where to confirm eligibility	Stripe's official country availability page	Stripe's documentation and the partner's own terms
Local payment methods such as M-Pesa	Check Stripe's documentation for your account	Check with the partner or platform
Settlement and payout currency	Set by the account's country	Depends on the entity and the arrangement

Third-party gateway options for Kenyan merchants

If Stripe does not cover everything you need, most merchants choose from a few types of setup. The right one depends on your customers, your developer capacity and how you want funds settled. For a longer comparison, read our guide to Stripe alternatives in Kenya.

Local M-Pesa gateway

A gateway built around M-Pesa that gives you an API or a hosted page. This option suits stores and apps where most customers pay from their phones.

How M-Pesa acceptance works

Direct Safaricom Daraja integration

Your team builds directly on Safaricom Daraja. M-PESA Express (Lipa na M-PESA Online) is the prompt-style request that a business starts. PayBill and Till are separate transaction types. Safaricom documentation also uses the market term 'STK Push' for the prompt.

Daraja vs a payment gateway

Multi-method providers

Providers that combine several local and international methods under one contract. Compare which methods each one actually supports for Kenyan entities, and how each one settles funds.

Payment service providers in Kenya

Combined setup

Some merchants keep an international provider for some customers and add a separate M-Pesa gateway for local buyers. This means two integrations and two reconciliation flows, so plan for both.

Payment methods in Kenya

Where Payment Gateway Kenya fits: M-Pesa acceptance

Payment Gateway Kenya is a payment gateway for M-Pesa pay-ins, plus payouts where confirmed for your account. In Kenya, we support M-Pesa only. We do not replace a full multi-method provider. We cover the M-Pesa part of your checkout.

You can connect in two ways: through our API (H2H) or through our Hosted Payment Page. Both are routes into the same gateway, not separate products. The H2H route is not a white-label service.

Pay-in: your customer pays you through M-Pesa.
Payout: your business pays a customer, where payouts are confirmed for your account.
Merchant settlement: funds are sent to you. Merchant settlements are sent on the same day (T+0).
Postbacks: these send transaction status to your system. They are not a customer notification service.

Illustrative flow: 1. Customer chooses M-Pesa
At checkout, the customer selects M-Pesa. They enter their phone number on your page or on the Hosted Payment Page.
Illustrative flow: 2. Payment request is started
Your system, or the hosted page, sends the pay-in request to the gateway. The customer then confirms the payment on their phone.
Illustrative flow: 3. Status reaches your system
A postback sends the transaction status to your server. Your system updates the order based on that status.
Illustrative flow: 4. Settlement to the merchant
Settlement to you is a separate flow from the customer's pay-in. Merchant settlements are sent on the same day (T+0).

Our overall transaction success rate is 85%, measured as successful transactions divided by all transactions. Existing merchants can add supported payment methods at no extra connection fee. The number of enabled methods does not change the connection price. For pricing, see our pricing page or talk to sales.

Stripe in Kenya: frequently asked questions

These are the questions Kenyan merchants and developers ask most often when comparing Stripe with local M-Pesa options. For anything about your specific account, ask our team.

Is Stripe available in Kenya?

Availability depends on how your business is registered and which route you use. Check Stripe's official country availability page for the current list of countries that support direct accounts. Then confirm which features apply to your account.

What is the difference between a direct Stripe account and extended network access?

A direct account is held by your business with Stripe in a supported country. Extended network access usually involves a partner, a platform or an entity registered elsewhere. Requirements and supported methods differ between routes, so confirm the details in Stripe's documentation.

Can I accept M-Pesa without Stripe?

Yes. You can integrate directly with Safaricom Daraja, or you can use a gateway that offers M-Pesa acceptance. Payment Gateway Kenya is a payment gateway for M-Pesa pay-ins, connected through an API (H2H) or a Hosted Payment Page.

Does Payment Gateway Kenya support cards or other methods in Kenya?

In Kenya, Payment Gateway Kenya supports M-Pesa only. If you need other methods, you may use a separate provider alongside us. Ask our team if you want to check your current setup.

When are merchant settlements sent?

Merchant settlements are sent on the same day (T+0). This describes when settlement is sent, not when funds are credited to your account.

What is the difference between M-PESA Express and 'STK Push'?

M-PESA Express (Lipa na M-PESA Online) is Safaricom's prompt-style request that a business starts. 'STK Push' is the market term used in Safaricom documentation for the same prompt. PayBill and Till are separate transaction types.

Can I use Shopify Payments in Kenya?

Kenya was not on Shopify's official Shopify Payments country list when checked on 5 November 2026. Check Shopify's own list for the current position. For M-Pesa on Shopify, ask our team what is possible for your store.

How much does Payment Gateway Kenya cost?

Pricing is custom, so talk to sales. Existing merchants can add supported payment methods at no extra connection fee, and the number of enabled methods does not change the connection price.

Add M-Pesa acceptance to your checkout

Whatever you decide about Stripe, your Kenyan customers will likely want to pay with M-Pesa. Tell us how your checkout works today. We will explain whether the API (H2H) or the Hosted Payment Page suits your setup better.

Get started with M-Pesa Talk to sales about pricing See how M-Pesa acceptance works