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M-Pesa vs OPay
M-Pesa and OPay are both payment receiving platforms. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on M-Pesa and $995 on OPay, 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 $995 on OPay, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer. Only M-Pesa offers Cash agents. Only OPay offers agent cash-out and card/ATM.
- M-Pesa is the older platform — founded in 2007, 11 years before OPay (2018).
- M-Pesa is based in Kenya, OPay in Nigeria.
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.
- You prefer a long track record (since 2007).
Choose OPay if…
- You want to withdraw via agent cash-out and card/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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OPay
A Nigerian fintech where individuals and merchants receive payments and transfer 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 | ~NGN 10 per transfer, ~0.5% agent withdrawal |
| Withdraw via | Cash agents, Bank transfer | Bank transfer, agent cash-out, card/ATM |
| Availability | Kenya + 7 African markets | Nigeria |
| Local to | Kenya, Tanzania | Nigeria |
| Founded | 2007 | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Kenya | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Popularity | 54 views · 0 likes | 44 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, M-Pesa or OPay?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on M-Pesa and $995 on OPay, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Where are M-Pesa and OPay available?
M-Pesa: Kenya + 7 African markets. OPay: Nigeria.