Bill proposes Sh250mn minimum capital for e-money issuers
The requirement is contained in the Central Bank of Kenya Draft National Payment Bill, 2026, which seeks to introduce new capital requirements for payment service providers.
Kenya's Central Bank has proposed new regulations that would require electronic money issuers, such as M-Pesa and Airtel Money, to maintain a minimum capital of Sh250 million to operate in the country. This capital requirement is outlined in the Central Bank of Kenya's (CBK) Draft National Payment Bill, 2026, which aims to introduce stricter capital requirements for various payment service providers.
Card scheme operators, merchant acquirers, and payment switching and clearing operators will also be subject to a minimum capital requirement of Sh50 million. Money remittance service providers would need at least Sh30 million, while payment messaging system operators and payment gateways would have to maintain Sh20 million and Sh10 million in capital, respectively.
The proposed law also emphasizes the need for interoperability among payment service providers and their agents. To comply, payment service providers and payment system operators must utilize systems that are compatible with those of other providers. The bill allows these entities to enter into interoperability arrangements with other providers and their agents, provided they receive prior approval from the Central Bank.
Additionally, the Central Bank has the authority to mandate interoperability arrangements between payment service providers and payment system operators, as well as between these entities and their agents, through official notice.
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