# Kenya — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KE
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **KE-QR Code** universal standard (May 2023)
- **M-Pesa** dominant (51M customers, 604K agents)
- **PesaLink** interbank (80+ institutions)
- **Fast Payment System** developing (2024+)
- **Interoperability** mandated across all MNOs

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)
- **Website:** https://www.centralbank.go.ke/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, payment standards, QR specification

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | Equity Bank | Local | Equity App |
| 2 | KCB Group | Local | KCB App |
| 3 | Co-operative Bank | Local | MCo-op Cash |
| 4 | Absa Kenya | International | Absa App |
| 5 | Standard Chartered Kenya | International | SC Mobile |

### Market Structure
- **M-Pesa:** Market leader (51M customers)
- **604,000:** Active agents across Africa
- **Interoperability:** Mandated by CBK
- **KE-QR:** Universal QR standard

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| KE-QR Code | CBK | Universal QR | Active (2023) |
| M-Pesa | Safaricom | Mobile money | Dominant |
| PesaLink | IPSL | Interbank A2A | Active (2017) |
| Fast Payment System | CBK | Instant | Developing |

### M-Pesa Statistics (2024)
- **51 million** customers
- **604,000+** active agents
- **12.7% CAGR** (2020-2024)
- **Cross-platform** interoperability

### PesaLink
- Launched 2017
- 80+ financial institutions
- Real-time account-to-account
- Mobile number transfers

---

## QR code standards

### KE-QR Code (Kenya Universal QR)

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Launch** | May 2023 |
| **Regulator** | Central Bank of Kenya |
| **Type** | Universal/Interoperable |
| **Apps** | M-Pesa, Equity, KCB, all banks |

### KE-QR Features
- Single QR for all providers
- Any app scans any merchant QR
- Bank and mobile money unified
- EMV-aligned specification
- Merchant portal auto-generation

### Payment Flow
1. Merchant displays KE-QR Code
2. Customer scans with any app (M-Pesa, bank)
3. Payment completes via mobile money or bank
4. Real-time merchant notification

### Global Comparison
- Similar to SGQR (Singapore)
- Similar to UPI QR (India)
- Similar to Alipay/WeChat QR (China)
- EMVCo-aligned standard

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| M-Pesa | Safaricom | Yes | Universal wallet |
| Equity App | Equity Bank | Yes | KE-QR enabled |
| KCB App | KCB | Yes | KE-QR enabled |
| Airtel Money | Airtel | Yes | Interoperable |
| T-kash | Telkom | Yes | Interoperable |

### M-Pesa Kenya
- Dominant mobile money
- KE-QR Code enabled
- Lipa Na M-Pesa merchants
- QR code merchant portal
- Cross-network transfers

### Bank Apps
- All major bank apps support KE-QR
- Universal merchant acceptance
- Bank account or wallet payments
- Single QR infrastructure

### Merchant Integration
- Lipa Na M-Pesa Merchant Portal
- Automatic QR code creation
- Business App for merchants
- Till display with QR stickers

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [KE-QR Code](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KE/ke-qr-code) | Universal QR | EMV | 2023 | [`ke-qr-code`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/ke-qr-code) |
| [M-Pesa](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KE/m-pesa) | Mobile money | App | 51M users | — |
| [PesaLink](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KE/pesalink) | Interbank | A2A | 80+ banks | — |

## Sources

- [Tuko - Safaricom M-Pesa QR Code Launch](https://www.tuko.co.ke/business-economy/technology/504480-safaricom-launches-m-pesa-payment-method-customers-qr-code-keying-details/)
- [TechWeez - Kenya QR Code Standard](https://techweez.com/2023/05/03/cbk-qr-code-payment-standard/)
- [TransFi - Kenya Payment Rails](https://www.transfi.com/blog/kenyas-payment-rails-how-they-work---m-pesa-pesalink-mobile-payment-innovation)
- [EPI - Kenya Mobile Wallet Growth](https://www.electronicpaymentsinternational.com/news/kenya-mobile-wallet-payments-market-to-grow-by-5-7-in-2024-forecasts-globaldata/)
- [Wikipedia - M-Pesa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-Pesa)
- [Lightspark - Instant Payments Kenya](https://www.lightspark.com/knowledge/instant-payments-kenya)
- [MicroSave - Digital Payment Revolution](https://www.microsave.net/2025/07/08/the-next-chapter-in-kenyas-digital-payment-revolution/)
- [BiznaKenya - M-Pesa Payment Method](https://biznakenya.com/safaricom-m-pesa-payment-method/)

## Full country report

[KE-kenya.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/KE)