Best freelance, gig and earning platforms in Kenya
Upwork lets freelancers in Kenya withdraw straight to M-Pesa, capped at KES 70,000 per transaction, or to a local bank in Kenyan shillings (KES) through Direct to Local Bank for USD 0.99, while Fiverr pays via PayPal or Payoneer. PayPal accounts in Kenya can receive payments and withdraw to a Kenyan bank, and PayPal partnered with Safaricom in 2018 to link PayPal with M-Pesa. Grey offers multi-currency accounts for receiving foreign payments and lists Kenya as supported. Locally, Jumia and Kilimall run online marketplaces for sellers, Glovo delivers in Nairobi, and Little ranks third in ride-hailing behind Uber and Bolt. Zindi runs prize-based AI and data science competitions open to African data scientists. Practical tip: Upwork adds 16% Kenyan VAT to its own fees, including Connects, memberships and freelancer service fees, so factor that into your rates. PayPal bank withdrawals are free above KES 20,000 but cost KES 105 below that.
Updated · how we verify platforms
Kenya at a glance
Platform types: 3 payment receiving platforms, 2 ride platforms, 2 big marketplaces, 1 delivery platform, 1 marketplace, 1 card processing platform and 1 prize competition
How they pay out: Bank transfer (9), Mobile money (2)
Which global platforms accept people in Kenya? See all 30 confirmed, and how to get paid →
Getting paid in Kenya
Compare at a glance
| Platform | Type | Fees / commission | Pays via | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Airtel Money
|
Mobile money | Varies by country, tiered cash-out fees | Agent cash-out, bank transfer, ATM | 2011 |
Bolt
|
Mobility company | 15-20% commission per ride depending on city | Bank transfer | 2013 |
Glovo
|
Delivery platform | Paid per delivery (base + distance + waiting) | Bank transfer | 2015 |
Grey
|
Payment platform | No account fees, FX conversion margin | Bank transfer, Mobile money | 2020 |
Jiji
|
Classifieds marketplace | Free listings, no commission, optional paid boosts | Direct payment from buyers | 2014 |
Jumia
|
Online marketplace | Category commission ~5-20% + processing fee | Bank transfer (local) | 2012 |
Kilimall
|
Online marketplace | 5-15% commission by category | Bank transfer, weekly or monthly | 2014 |
Little
|
Ride-hailing app | — | — | 2016 |
M-Pesa
|
Mobile money | Free deposits, tiered P2P and agent withdrawal fees | Cash agents, Bank transfer | 2007 |
Paystack
|
Payment processor | From 1.5% per local transaction | Bank transfer | 2015 |
Zindi
|
Data science competitions | Free to enter, host-funded cash prizes | Bank transfer, Mobile money | 2018 |
Airtel MoneyA wide-reach African mobile money service for receiving payments and cash-out.
airtel.africa54 viewsBoltA European mobility platform offering ride-hailing, scooters, and food delivery across 45+ countries. Drivers and couriers sign up in the ap…
bolt.eu89 viewsGlovoA Spanish delivery platform operating across Southern Europe, Africa, and beyond. Couriers sign up to deliver food, groceries, and almost an…
glovoapp.com86 viewsGreyVirtual USD, GBP, and EUR accounts for African freelancers - receive international payments and convert to local currency at competitive rat…
grey.co33 viewsJijiA leading African classifieds marketplace with over 8 million monthly users, strongest in Nigeria and across East and West Africa. Free list…
jiji.ng33 viewsJumiaAfrica largest e-commerce marketplace, selling across Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, and more, with open seller registration and JForce sal…
jumia.com49 viewsKilimallAn East African online marketplace where sellers reach shoppers in Kenya and beyond.
kilimall.co.ke40 viewsLittleAn East African ride-hailing app (Safaricom-linked) where drivers earn giving rides in Kenya and beyond.
little.africa50 viewsM-PesaThe mobile money system that runs East Africa - anyone with a SIM card can receive payments, and small businesses charge through till number…
safaricom.co.ke54 viewsPaystackThe Stripe-owned processor built for Africa - Nigerian, Ghanaian, South African, and Kenyan businesses accept cards, mobile money, and bank…
paystack.com47 viewsZindiAfrica data science competition platform, connecting African data scientists with paid challenges from companies and NGOs.
zindi.world61 viewsFrequently asked questions
What are the best freelance and gig platforms in Kenya?
Upwork and Fiverr for international freelance work, Jumia and Kilimall for selling products online, Glovo for delivery work in Nairobi, Little, Bolt and Uber for ride-hailing, and Zindi for prize-based AI and data science competitions.
How do freelancers in Kenya get paid by international clients?
Upwork pays out through M-Pesa (Kenya only), Direct to Local Bank in KES for USD 0.99, PayPal or Payoneer. Fiverr uses PayPal (no fee, USD 1 minimum) or Payoneer. Grey also offers multi-currency accounts for receiving foreign payments and lists Kenya among its supported countries.
Does PayPal work in Kenya?
Yes. Kenyan PayPal accounts can send and receive payments, and receiving personal payments is free without currency conversion. Withdrawals to a Kenyan bank are free above KES 20,000 and cost KES 105 below that. PayPal and Safaricom partnered in 2018 to link PayPal with M-Pesa.
Can people in Kenya work on Upwork and Fiverr?
Yes. Upwork supports M-Pesa and KES Direct to Local Bank withdrawals, and your M-Pesa name must exactly match your verified Upwork name. Upwork charges residents 16% Kenyan VAT on its fees unless you hold a valid tax exemption certificate. Fiverr sellers must be at least 18 to withdraw.
Can you withdraw Upwork earnings to M-Pesa?
Yes. Freelancers in Kenya with a registered, activated M-Pesa account can add it under Settings, Withdrawals. The new method becomes active after three days, names must match exactly, and M-Pesa limits each withdrawal to KES 70,000, so larger balances need several withdrawals.