How to Withdraw From PayPal to Mpesa: Quick, Safe and Easy

Last Updated on August 16, 2025 by Editorial

For years, people in most African countries struggled to access their PayPal funds. This is because local banks were slow, expensive, or didn’t support direct withdrawals at all. Knowing how to withdraw from PayPal to Mpesa has saved many Kenyans. 

PayPal can now be linked directly to the M-Pesa service. This has made the transfer process smooth and much quicker than before. You no longer have to wait weeks or deal with complicated bank approvals just to get your money.

If you are a freelancer, online seller, or anyone getting international payments via PayPal, this is for you. Read on to the end to learn how to withdraw money from PayPal to Mpesa.

How to Withdraw From PayPal to Mpesa: The Requirements

Before you start moving funds from PayPal to MPesa, there are a few conditions you must meet. These requirements make sure your accounts are properly linked and the transfer goes through without issues.

1. An Active PayPal Account

You need a working PayPal account that’s verified with both your email and a bank card. Verification proves your identity and allows you to send and receive money. Without this step, PayPal won’t let you receive or send money.

2. A Registered M-Pesa Account with Safaricom

Your Safaricom MPesa line must be active and registered under your name. The PayPal MPesa withdrawal service is tied directly to Safaricom’s system. Therefore, you can’t use another mobile network for this transfer.

3. Access to the PayPal M-Pesa Service

The official service for withdrawing is PayPal Mobile Money by Thunes, sometimes referred to as the PayPal M-Pesa link. You can access it through the website or even from the M-Pesa app. 

This is the platform that connects your PayPal account to your M-Pesa wallet and processes the transfer.

4. Matching Account Details

For the PayPal to MPesa connection to work, your details must be the same on both accounts. That means your registered name, phone number, and email address should match exactly. Any mismatch can delay or block your withdrawal.

How to Link PayPal to M-Pesa

You need to link PayPal to Mpesa through the official PayPal Mobile Money by Thunes service. Here’s how you do it.

1. Visit the PayPal M-Pesa Portal

Go to the official PayPal Mobile Money portal. This is the Thunes-powered service that links PayPal to M-Pesa.

2. Log in to PayPal

Click the “Log in” button and sign in with your PayPal account details. Make sure you’re using the same PayPal account you’ll use for withdrawals.

3. Enter Your M-Pesa Details

You’ll be asked to provide your Safaricom M-Pesa phone number. This number must be registered under your name and active with Safaricom.

4. Confirm Your Details

Check that your name, email, and phone number match on both PayPal and M-Pesa. If they don’t, the system won’t complete the link.

5. Agree and Link

Accept the terms and confirm the connection. Once done, your PayPal and M-Pesa accounts are officially linked. You’ll now be able to withdraw from PayPal to M-Pesa or top up PayPal directly from your M-Pesa balance.

NOTE	Transferring funds between PayPal and M-PESA accounts via Thunes is being discontinued from 16 August 2025. All direct PayPal to Mpesa transfers will now be done through the Mpesa app.

How to Withdraw From PayPal to Mpesa via Thunes

Once your Mpesa and PayPal accounts are linked, this is how you can withdraw your cash through the Thunes service.

1. Log in to the PayPal M-Pesa Portal

Go to paypal-mobilemoney.com/m-pesa and sign in with your PayPal account. This is the official portal that handles PayPal MPesa withdrawals.

2. Choose “Withdraw from PayPal”

After logging in, select the option to withdraw. The system will display your available PayPal balance in USD.

3. Enter the Amount

Type in the amount you’d like to move to your M-Pesa account. The service will automatically calculate the converted amount in Kenyan Shillings, showing you the exchange rate and MPesa charges before you confirm.

4. Confirm Your M-Pesa Number

Double-check that the Safaricom M-Pesa number displayed is correct. This is where the funds will be sent, and there’s no way to reverse it once the transaction is complete.

5. Submit and Wait for Processing

Click confirm to complete the request. Withdrawals usually reflect within minutes, though in some cases it can take up to 24 hours depending on the transaction size and PayPal’s checks.

How to Withdraw From PayPal to Mpesa via Mpesa App

Safaricom recently unveiled a new and faster way of withdrawing money directly from PayPal to Mpesa through the Mpesa app. Here’s how you do it.

1. Launch Mpesa App 

Start by opening your Mpesa app on your device. If you don’t have it, then install it from the respective app store.

2. Open PayPal Option

Inside the Mpesa App, scroll down to Mpesa Global Payments, where you will see the PayPal icon. Tap on it once to open it.

3. Link Account

You will be directed to a new browser asking you to link your PayPal and Mpesa accounts. Tap on that Link Account button near the bottom to begin the process.

4. Log in to PayPal

The next step requires you to log in to your PayPal account with the credentials you normally use.

5. Process Consent

You will see a list of things that the Mpesa app is allowed to access. Read carefully the scroll to the bottom and tap on the “Agree and Connect” button.

6. You’re now Connected

With that, you’ve now linked your PayPal and Mpesa. You will receive a message confirming the link. Now you can withdraw from PayPal to Mpesa or top up from Mpesa to PayPal with a single tap of a button.

How to Withdraw From PayPal to Mpesa via Equity Bank App

Equity Bank was the first bank to allow PayPal withdrawals in Kenya. Even back then, the process used to take a week, three days, and now it only takes seconds. Here’s how you do it.

1. Launch the Equity Mobile App

Open your Equity mobile app and log in to your account. If you don’t have it already, download it from the respective app store.

2. Open the PayPal Option

Tap on “Accounts and Cards” to access the PayPal button.

3. Withdraw From PayPal

Simply tap on the PayPal button. This will take you to another screen where you can enter the amount of money you need to withdraw. You will then enter your PIN, confirm an OTP, and the money will reflect in your Equity account in seconds. 

You can now send the money from Equity to Mpesa.

PayPal to Mpesa: Transaction Limits and Fees

When learning how to withdraw from PayPal to Mpesa, it’s important to know the limits and charges involved. These rules are set by both PayPal and Safaricom to make sure transfers are secure and properly processed.

Minimum and Maximum Withdrawal Amounts

The Mpesa PayPal link requires that you withdraw at least 10 USD per transaction. The maximum you can withdraw at once depends on both your PayPal balance and the limits set by Safaricom Mpesa. 

Large withdrawals may be split into smaller chunks if they exceed what M-Pesa allows.

PayPal Currency Conversion Fees

Since PayPal balances are held in USD, every withdrawal is converted to Kenyan Shillings before being sent to your M-Pesa account. PayPal applies a currency conversion fee on top of the exchange rate. 

So the amount you receive is slightly lower than the raw conversion. This is standard for all PayPal MPesa withdrawals.

M-Pesa Receiving Limits

Safaricom M-Pesa has strict limits on how much money you can receive. At the moment, you can’t receive more than KSh 150,000 in a single transaction, and your daily limit is KSh 300,000. 

The maximum account balance allowed is also KSh 300,000. Any amount above this will be rejected.

Tips to Avoid Failed Transactions

To prevent failed transfers: 

• Always make sure the amount you withdraw from PayPal fits within M-Pesa’s limits. If you’re expecting a large payment, split the withdrawal into smaller amounts. 

• Keep your M-Pesa wallet below the maximum balance before starting the transfer. This way, your PayPal withdrawal to Mpesa won’t bounce back.

PayPal to Mpesa Withdrawals: Safety and Security Tips

Protecting your money is just as important learning how to remove money from Paypal to Mpesa. Here are a few security practices you can follow.

• Always use the official PayPal-M-Pesa website: The only trusted portal for PayPal MPesa withdrawals is paypal-mobilemoney.com/m-pesa. This service is powered by Thunes and directly linked to PayPal and Safaricom. If you use any other site, you risk giving your login details to scammers who can drain your accounts.

• Avoid third-party apps or brokers: Some apps and individuals claim to offer faster or cheaper PayPal withdrawals to Mpesa services. While they may sound convincing, they usually ask for access to your accounts or charge unfair rates. Stick to the official PayPal MPesa link.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on PayPal: Passwords alone aren’t enough to secure your account. By switching on two-factor authentication, PayPal will send you a unique code each time you log in. This will keep your PayPal account safe from hackers.

• Regularly check your PayPal and M-Pesa statements: Don’t wait until a problem shows up. Make it a habit to review both your PayPal and Safaricom Mpesa statements. Look out for small withdrawals, strange charges, or transactions you don’t remember making.

• Keep your Safaricom line active and protected: Since PayPal with M-Pesa works directly through your Safaricom number, losing your line puts your money at risk. Always secure your SIM card with a PIN so no one can access your wallet if they get hold of your phone.

• Avoid public Wi-Fi for transactions: Public networks, like those in cafes or malls, aren’t safe for handling money transfers. Dangerous hackers can intercept your login details while you’re withdrawing from PayPal to M-Pesa. Always use your mobile data or a trusted virtual private network.

• Update your PayPal and M-Pesa details: Outdated or mismatched account information can do more than block transactions. It can also create gaps that scammers exploit. Ensure your registered names, email, and Safaricom number are accurate and consistent across both accounts.

Withdraw Your Money Quickly and Safely

With the official PayPal with MPesa service, withdrawing your money is now quick, safe, and easy. You no longer need to wait for days or struggle with expensive bank transfers. Once your accounts are linked, the process takes just a few clicks, and funds reflect in your wallet within minutes. 

That said, always make sure you’re using the official PayPal-M-Pesa platform or the M-Pesa app itself. These are the only trusted channels powered by Safaricom and PayPal. 

Using third-party apps or brokers might look tempting, but they expose your money to unnecessary risks. The official service guarantees fair exchange rates, reliable transfers, and most importantly, the safety of your funds.

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