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M-Pesa vs MTN MoMo
M-Pesa and MTN MoMo are both payment receiving platforms. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on M-Pesa and $980–$995 on MTN MoMo, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Updated · from each platform’s published fees and payout terms · how we verify
Key differences
- On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on M-Pesa and $980–$995 on MTN MoMo, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer. Only M-Pesa offers Cash agents. Only MTN MoMo offers Agent cash-out and ATM.
- M-Pesa is the older platform — founded in 2007, 2 years before MTN MoMo (2009).
- M-Pesa is based in Kenya, MTN MoMo in South Africa.
Which should you choose?
Choose M-Pesa if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via Cash agents.
Choose MTN MoMo if…
- You want to withdraw via Agent cash-out and ATM.
Side by side
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M-Pesa
The mobile money system that runs East Africa - anyone with a SIM card can receive payments, and small busines…
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MTN MoMo
MTN mobile-money service across many African markets for receiving and sending money.
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Payment receiving like Payoneer | Payment receiving like Payoneer |
| Category | Payments | Payments |
| Vetted | No | No |
| Work from home | No | No |
| Fees | Free deposits, tiered P2P and agent withdrawal fees | Tiered cash-out fees ~0.5-2% |
| Withdraw via | Cash agents, Bank transfer | Agent cash-out, bank transfer, ATM |
| Availability | Kenya + 7 African markets | 14 African countries |
| Local to | Kenya, Tanzania | Ghana, Uganda, Cameroon, Ivory Coast |
| Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Kenya | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Popularity | 54 views · 0 likes | 46 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, M-Pesa or MTN MoMo?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on M-Pesa and $980–$995 on MTN MoMo, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Where are M-Pesa and MTN MoMo available?
M-Pesa: Kenya + 7 African markets. MTN MoMo: 14 African countries.