If you’re looking for the best online payment gateways in Kenya, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to see our full list of the top online payment services this year!
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What is a payment gateway?
Imagine a customer shopping online and they have filled their virtual cart with items they want to buy. As the moment arises to complete the purchase, the necessity arises to transfer funds from their bank to the online store. This is precisely where the significance of a payment gateway becomes apparent.
A payment gateway is like a secure bridge between the online store and your bank. It takes the payment information you provide, like your credit card details, and makes sure it gets to the right place safely. It encrypts the information to keep it private and secure during the transaction.
So, in simple terms, a payment gateway is like a digital cashier that helps you pay for your online purchases securely. It ensures that your money goes where it’s supposed to go without any hiccups.
How to Choose the best Payment Gateway in Kenya
- Credibility:
When selecting a payment gateway for your online store, prioritize providers with a solid track record. Research reviews, testimonials, and the duration of their presence in the market to ensure reliability and professionalism.
- Safety:
Emphasize security features when choosing a payment gateway. Look for providers that implement industry-standard security protocols, such as SSL encryption, and comply with regulatory requirements to safeguard sensitive customer information.
- Payment Method Compatibility:
Ensure that your chosen payment gateway supports a diverse range of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile money, and other prevalent local options in Kenya. A broad spectrum of payment options enhances customer accessibility.
- Costs and Fees:
Evaluate the cost structure of potential payment gateway providers, considering transaction fees, setup costs, and any additional charges. Prioritize transparency in fee disclosures and select a provider that aligns with your budget while delivering value for the services provided.
Best Payment Gateways in Kenya
There are many payment gateway companies in Kenya that offer online payment solutions for businesses and individuals. Here are some of the most popular ones, along with some details about their features and services
| Payment Gateway | Supported Payment Methods | Security Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pesapal | Visa, MasterCard pre-paid, Debit & Credit card, American Express, Mpesa, Airtel Money, MTN | – SSL encryption that encrypts sensitive data – Requests approval from a financial institution for every transaction |
| Jambopay | Visa, MasterCard, Debit & Credit cards, M-PESA, Airtel Money, T-CASH, Bank payments | – SSL encryption that encrypts sensitive data |
| iPay Africa | VISA, Mastercard, M-PESA, Airtel Money, eLipa | – SSL encryption that encrypts sensitive data – 3D Security for all card transactions – PCI DSS Compliant |
| DPO Group | VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club Int, M-PESA, Airtel Money, MTN | – SSL encryption that encrypts sensitive data – PCI DSS Compliant |
| Flutterwave | Cards, Bank Accounts, Mpesa, QR code, Mobile Money, USSD, Bank Transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay | – PCI DSS Compliant |
| Kopokopo | Mpesa, Masterpass, T-Kash | – SSL encryption that encrypts sensitive data |
| Jenga | Visa, MC, JCB, Maestro, Diners club, CUP, AMEX, Paypal, Airtel Money, Mpesa, Equitel, PesaLink, RTGS, SWIFT | – SSL encryption that encrypts sensitive data – PCI-DSS Compliant |
| Peach Payment | Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), Instant EFT, Mobile Wallets (M-Pesa for Kenya), Mobicred (South Africa), Masterpass, 1ForYou (South Africa), Apple Pay | – PCI DSS Level 1 certified systems – Real-time risk checking and fraud detection – 3D Secure authentication (where applicable) – Secure card tokenization for recurring billing – Encrypted transactions |
| Mpayer | ACH Bank Debit, credit card, local bank transfer | – SSL encryption that encrypts sensitive data |
| Paystack | Cards, mobile money accounts, QR codes, directly from their bank account or USSD | – PCI-DSS Compliant – SSL encryption that encrypts sensitive data |
| Kora | Cards, Bank Transfers, Bank Accounts | – PCI DSS Compliant – ISO 27001 & ISO 22301 Certified – Multi-factor authentication, encryption, real-time fraud monitoring |
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Pesapal
Pesapal is one of the most widely used payment gateways in Kenya. It supports visas, Mastercard, American Express, Mpesa, Airtel, and MTN payments. It also supports in-store payment through POS.
Benefits of Using Pesapal
- Multi-channel payment options
- Advanced fraud management system
- Real-time transaction monitoring
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Jambopay
Jambopay is a secure and reliable payment gateway that can be used for bill payments, sending and receiving money, accepting payments online, reselling airtime, etc.
Benefits of Using Jambopay
- Multiple payment options
- Recurring billing feature
- Detailed reporting system
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iPay Africa
iPay Africa is an online payment processing company that provides plugins to receive payments online on platforms like Moodle, PrestaShop, WooCommerce, VirtueMart, WHMCS, Opencart, Drupal, Magento, etc. Payment methods accepted include Mpesa, Airtel Money, and Credit Card.
Benefits of Using Ipay Africa
- Versatility with Payment Channels
- Bulkpay Wallet Transactions
- Seamless Bank Integrations
- Utility Payment Solutions
- Diverse Card Support
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DPO Group
DPO Group is a payment service provider and payment gateway that allows businesses to collect online payments and get paid from shoppers in Kenya, and internationally. It supports payment methods like Mpesa, Airtel Money, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Tigo Pesa, MTN momo, etc. It also offers a DPO Card that allows instant access to newly acquired funds2.
Benefits of Using DPO Group
- Provides a variety of payment methods
- Maximum security
- A dedicated Customer Support Team
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Flutterwave
Flutterwave is one of the most popular African payment gateways with headquarters in Nigeria. It supports Card, USSD, Bank, QR, and mpesa payment. It also offers a product called Rave that allows businesses to accept payments from customers in 50+ currencies.
Benefits of Using Flutterwave
- International Payments
- Multi-channel Payments
- Easy Management
- Secure Transactions
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JumiaPay
JumiaPay is a payment gateway developed by Jumia, the largest online marketplace in Africa. It supports credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and mobile money (Mpesa, Airtel Money). It also offers cashback and discounts for Jumia customers.
Benefits of Using JumiaPay
- Ease of Use
- Continuous Integration of New Payment Methods
- Loyalty Program
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Kopokopo
Kopokopo is a Kenyan payment gateway that supports Lipa Na Mpesa and Till Number. It also offers cash advance and bulk payment services.
Benefits of Using Kopokopo
- Greater visibility into how your business is performing
- Security of cashless payments
- Quick cash advances
- Convenient business payments
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Jenga
Jenga is a payment gateway managed by Equity Group Holding PLC. It supports Cards, Paypal, Mpesa, Airtel Money, Equitel, etc. It also offers APIs for developers to integrate with various platforms.
Benefits of Using Jenga
- Enhanced Security
- Lightning-fast checkout
- Safe and sound
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Paystack
Paystack is one of the most popular payment gateways in Nigeria. It allows businesses to accept payments from customers using various methods, such as cards, bank transfers, USSD, mobile money, and QR codes.
Paystack also offers tools for invoicing, subscriptions, verification, reporting, and integration with popular platforms like Shopify, WordPress, and WooCommerce. Paystack charges a transaction fee of .5% + ₦00 for local transactions and 3.9% + ₦00 for international transactions
Benefits of Using Paystack
- Multiple Payment Channels:
- Customizable Payment Pages:
- Detailed Reporting
- Secure Transactions
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Mpayer
Mpayer is a website for Mpayer, an application developed by Zege Technologies. It is used to manage cash or mobile money payments for businesses. It also offers analytics and customer relationship management tools.
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Peach Payments
Peach Payments is a well-established payment gateway that has been operational in multiple countries, including Kenya. It provides a seamless and secure platform for processing online payments, catering to a diverse range of businesses from small enterprises to large corporations. The gateway supports various payment methods, making it versatile and accessible.
Key Features include
1. Multiple Payment Methods – Peach Payments supports a wide range of payment options including credit and debit cards, mobile money (such as M-Pesa), and bank transfers. This flexibility ensures that customers can pay using their preferred method, enhancing the user experience and potentially increasing sales conversions for businesses.
2. Security – Security is a top priority for Peach Payments. The platform is PCI-DSS compliant, ensuring that all transactions are processed in a secure environment. Advanced fraud detection and prevention mechanisms are in place to protect both merchants and customers from fraudulent activities.
3. Ease of Integration – Peach Payments offers easy integration with various e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce, Shopify, and Magento. This simplifies the process for businesses to start accepting online payments. Additionally, the API provided by Peach Payments is well-documented, allowing for smooth and customizable integration into bespoke websites and applications.
4. User-Friendly Dashboard – The merchant dashboard provided by Peach Payments is intuitive and user-friendly. It offers detailed insights and analytics on transactions, helping businesses monitor their sales and manage finances effectively. Real-time reporting tools are also available, providing up-to-date information on payment statuses and trends.
5. Customer Support – Peach Payments is known for its excellent customer support. They offer multiple channels for support including email, phone, and live chat, ensuring that any issues or queries are resolved promptly. The support team is knowledgeable and responsive, providing assistance with technical integration, transaction issues, and general inquiries.
12. Kora
Kora is a powerful payment gateway designed to offer businesses a simple, secure, and efficient way to accept payments from anywhere in the world. With an intuitive API, Kora ensures smooth payment experiences across a wide range of industries, supporting multiple currencies and payment methods.
Benefits of Kora
- Global Reach
- Multiple Payment Methods
- High Transaction Success Rates
- Comprehensive Dashboard
- Top-Notch Security
- 24/7 Support.
- Trusted by Leading Brands
Key benefits of Payment Gateways in Kenya
- Smooth Shopping Payments:
Integrating payment gateways enables customers in Kenya to effortlessly pay using various methods on your Shopify store, promoting a user-friendly and convenient shopping experience.
- Global Shopping Power:
Connecting Shopify with a payment gateway facilitates international sales, broadening your customer base worldwide and amplifying the potential for business growth and expansion.
- Safe and Secure Transactions:
Payment gateway integration ensures the safety of customer details and transactions, instilling trust and confidence in your Shopify store’s security measures, fostering customer loyalty.
- Speedy Checkout Experience:
The integration of a payment gateway optimizes the checkout process, making it quicker and more efficient, reducing delays and minimizing the chances of customers abandoning their purchases.
- Compliant with Regulatory Requirements:
Reputable payment gateways often ensure Compliant with local and international regulations, providing businesses with peace of mind in adhering to legal requirements for online transactions.
- Automated Processes:
Payment gateways automate various aspects of the payment process, including payment verification, order processing, and confirmation. This automation helps in reducing manual errors and enhances the efficiency of online transactions.
What’s needed to set-up a Payment Gateway account
The specific information required to set up a payment gateway can vary depending on the chosen provider. However, some common elements include:
- Type of Business:
- Company Name:
- Country:
- Website:
- Phone Number:
- refund policy link
- Link to the website:
- Certificate of incorporation Director ID
- PIN Certificate
- Email Address to use for the account
- Phone Number to use for the account
Final thoughts on Payment Gateways in Kenya
In conclusion, taking the time to thoroughly evaluate and compare paymen gateways in Kenya can help you make an informed decision that best suits your business’s needs and contributes to its success.
