Nairobi, Kenya – Telecommunications giant Safaricom has announced a major step in the evolution of mobile money by partnering with PayPal to directly link M‑Pesa wallets with PayPal accounts. The service, unveiled in late July, will allow more than 35 million M‑Pesa subscribers and over 2 million merchants to seamlessly transfer funds to and from PayPal, opening the door to millions of cross‑border transactions.

The two companies said the collaboration will transform how Kenyans participate in the global digital economy. Customers can use their phones to move money in or out of PayPal without relying on intermediaries, making it easier for freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses to receive payments from abroad. Safaricom’s chief financial services officer Esther Waititu hailed the partnership as a leap toward inclusive digital payments, noting that the convenience would enable more people to tap into opportunities in e‑commerce and the gig economy. PayPal’s vice‑president for Africa, Otto Williams, said it will advance financial inclusion by letting M‑Pesa users access PayPal’s wide merchant network.

Linking the systems required aligning regulatory requirements in Kenya and the United States. Safaricom said the service will initially support transfers in Kenyan shillings and U.S. dollars, with plans to expand into more currencies. Users will be able to convert funds at competitive rates and withdraw directly to their M‑Pesa wallets. The partners also plan to extend the product to other African markets where Safaricom operates, underscoring the region’s growing influence in digital payments.

Analysts see the collaboration as a strategic move that could boost Kenya’s digital export earnings. While Safaricom has previously enabled PayPal withdrawals through third parties, this is the first time the two companies have a direct integration. Consumer rights groups welcomed the news but urged both companies to simplify the user experience and ensure transparency on fees.

As the partnership rolls out, Safaricom and PayPal will monitor uptake and use customer feedback to refine the offering. They hope the seamless link will attract more Kenyans to online marketplaces and enable small businesses to grow by accessing international buyers, helping Kenya cement its position as a leader in mobile money innovation.