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How To Withdraw Money From PayPal In Kenya

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

So, how can you withdraw money from PayPal? This post keeps getting updated and gives you current and most accurate information on how withdrawal from PayPal is done.

The Problem

A few years ago, PayPal withdrawal was one of the toughest things for most freelancers to get by.

Many clients and freelancing websites pay by PayPal. Therefore, getting this cash from the internet to M-Pesa, local bank account or a Kenyan ATM was a real struggle.

But things have just kept getting easier over the years.

This post will help protect you from scammers while directing you to Kenya’s most trusted PayPal withdrawal options.

The Truth

There are three real methods that you can use to withdraw money from PayPal in Kenya. These are:

  1. Equity Bank
  2. Payoneer – A trusted method that no longer works for new applications
  3. PayPal to M-Pesa

The only direct withdrawal method is withdrawing through Payoneer, the rest are all indirect.

Let’s now check out the viable options you have…

1. Getting Money from PayPal to your Equity Bank account

Equity Bank is currently one of the slowest options for withdrawing PayPal cash. It takes one business day to get the cash in your bank account. However, it can be convenient for those who receive bigger payments, e.g. $3,000+.

If you have a local dollar account, you can receive the money there, withdraw in dollars, then exchange the dollars at good exchange rates from a forex bureau.

You can still perfectly use it to receive money in your KES bank account.

Read: How to Withdraw from PayPal to Equity in 1 Day

2. Using the official PayPal to M-Pesa Service

There’s an official collaboration between PayPal and Safaricom. This came in April 2018 and was an answered prayer to most Kenyans.

You can use this method to send money from PayPal to M-Pesa. Or from M-Pesa to PayPal.

Transactions take between a few minutes and 3 days to complete. Smaller amounts ($200 and below) take minutes (even one minute sometimes). The system shows you how long it will take to process each transaction.

Read: How to Officially Withdraw from PayPal to M-Pesa

3. How to Withdraw Money from PayPal using Payoneer

Editor’s note: Unfortunately, this method was stopped by PayPal in 2014. It no longer works for new applications. People who were using it earlier can still continue using it.

Payoneer is a friendly payment processor that is accepted by many freelancing websites and online payment platforms.

Even PayPal itself used to accept it. It is the most trusted and ONLY method of withdrawing PayPal money directly. Here, I mean that you withdraw by going to PayPal and clicking “Withdraw”. The M-Pesa and Equity Bank methods are all handled by separate sites.

When you receive the cash in your Payoneer account, you can withdraw it from ATMs and banks worldwide, including here in Kenya.

Note that joining Payoneer through any of my affiliate links will earn you free $25 once your cumulative withdrawal adds up to $1,000. I’ll also receive a commission.

Currently, when you join Payoneer, you also automatically get the Global Payment Service. This is a fantastic service that you can use to receive money from different companies all over the world. For example, you’re given a US account number, just like a local US citizen would.

When companies pay you using the Global Payment Service, the cash is deposited into your Payoneer account.

In case you already have a Payoneer account as you’re reading this and don’t have the Global Payment Service, simply send an email to Payoneer through their online contact form and they’ll get you sorted out real quick. You can also call or chat with them.

Once again, this PayPal withdrawal method was stopped in 2014 but Payoneer is still one of the best payment services. You can use it to receive money from your clients without using PayPal.

Bottom line

All these methods are great for PayPal withdrawal in Kenya.

It may be advisable to have all these accounts ready since that way, if you have an emergency you can make a quick PayPal to M-Pesa withdrawal.

When withdrawing volumes of cash, you can use Equity Bank or Payoneer because of the low commissions. Remember PayPal to Payoneer no longer works for new applications.

The Equity option is also great for those who would want to access loans in the future. You know how hard it is for freelancers to get big loans.

At the end of the day, the great thing is that these are legit ways through which you can withdraw money from PayPal in Kenya without being scammed.

NOTE: If you join Payoneer through this affiliate link, you get free $25 once you hit $1,000 in your Payoneer account. Also, note that PayPal is not the best way to receive payments. You can consider Payoneer, Paxful, or Wise (formerly TransferWise) where applicable.

Have you tried any of the above PayPal withdrawal methods? What’s your favorite?

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I'm a freelance writer, blogger, trainer, and internet marketer. My joy is to see you making money online. Feel free to browse around and leave a comment. I strive to reply to all queries. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter .

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Hodhan
Hodhan

Walter akolo i have problem i withdraw my PayPal money to my mpesa account and i didn’t receive the money and the money already left my PayPal account and it been five days both accounts am not seeing anything the money is missing

Last edited 5 months ago by Hodhan
Theo
Theo

How to create paypal account which cannot be permanently limited

Daniel Mkumbo
Daniel Mkumbo

Hello I had funds in my PayPal , that was held for more than 180 days now , few days back they sent me an email saying that I can now withdraw my funds , however I have been trying to make withdraw to my connected safaricom MPESA ,but still I get an error message as if the account is still restricted , what should I do now brother to get my funds since I don’t have any US Bank account to withdraw to as PayPal suggest

Daniel Kamau
Daniel Kamau

Hello, do you still offer PayPal withdrawal services? Sometimes back I used to send money to you and you assisted me to draw.

Denis
Denis

Hello
Kindly help,
Is there a way to delink a paypal account with equity and reconnect with a new paypal account?

Regards

Wyclef Ouko

I can confirm, the PayPal and Mpesa thing works perfectly. In less than 2 hours, I received my money.

Pascalina
Pascalina
Reply to  Wyclef Ouko

Please how do u connect ur account with Mpesa

Wayne Wicky
Wayne Wicky

I am having issues withdrawing from PayPal to equity even though in the past, I managed to withdraw severally. Could there be a problem with PayPal now? Reading this post has just reminded me of the collaboration between PayPal and Mpesa. I have to try it out, now that withdrawing to my equity bank is not working for me. Thanks a lot Mr Walter.

Pita Minor
Pita Minor

Hi Walter,

Thanks for the good work you continue doing. Currently, PayPal is allowing one to link a bank account directly. This another important withdrawal option for users which I think you should update on this awesome article.

Thanks

Pita Minor
Pita Minor
Reply to  Walter Akolo

I”ve already linked my PayPal account with my Equity bank account. However, I’ve not made any transaction yet. Since this service was only available for US clients, I guess withdrawals will take the same time (three business/working days).

Brenda
Brenda

Hi Walter,

So, I’d just like to be clear to see if I’ve got this straight because it can all be a bit confusing.

So when I go to the ATM with my Visa card in order to verify my PayPal account all I have to do is slip in my card and expect to see several options on the screen of which one would be “verify PayPal account”? And then I’d just simply press ‘yes’ and HEY PRESTO! My PayPal account is verified! ! !

Is this so? And how come I’ve never noticed that PayPal option before? Please explain, Walter.

Thank you,
Brenda

Peter
Peter

I just joined airbnb and seems the best choice at payouts are through paypal and through “Payoneer prepaid debit master card”.. You have mentioned that Payoneer are not taking on anymore applications,is this still the situation or can i sign up for Payoneer?

Anon
Anon

It seems Payoneer has increased the requirement for the $25 referral bonus from $100 to $1000.

payoneer.com/refer-a-friend/

QUEENTER
QUEENTER

hi Walter..glad to read your views and how much you have been of help to many people. Just want to inquire whether this site called “the panel station” is a genuine one or its a scam. Thanks ii advance

Sherryfaith
Sherryfaith
Reply to  Walter Akolo

How can I deactivate my simcard line from Paypal

Eric

Thanks a lot bro. This article have been very helpful to me and it is straight and simple to understand

Agnes
Agnes

Hi, Thanks for your dedication in replying to the comments. I received some money via paypal and since I had no Equity Bank account, a friend suggested i use Epay. I am not sure if it worked right because I could not understand the ticket thing. Finally I transferred the money to their email. I have not received any response. When I write to them, I get no response, please help.

Cza
Cza
Reply to  Agnes

Thanks for reaching out to us through this forum. Being your first time, we appreciate you had challenges in figuring out how we operate. You withdrew your funds from your ePay account to M-pesa on Saturday when we had already closed (we close at 1pm and resume on Monday). I presume you have already been assisted this morning and that you have already received your money. I am sure the process should be more straight forward moving forward. Thank you for using our services.

Agnes
Agnes
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hi walter, I got sorted out. Whoa, it was quite a trip for me..thanks anyway, so cooperative..

Agnes
Agnes
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Thanks Walter, I now know I am in good hands.

Agnes
Agnes
Reply to  Agnes

Hi, i have finally managed to do it. I ran into problems but it is all because i was new to the whole thing. Thanks a lot.

Agnes
Agnes
Reply to  Agnes

Walter, I still have not got the money…24hrs down

Agnes
Agnes
Reply to  Agnes

Hi Walter, how lo long does it take to get the money in the Mpesa? Just wondering coz sijapata after like 10 hours…But I managed to withdraw from Epay..

Aba Khatami
Aba Khatami

Would it be a good alternative to use the withdraw service from Auction Essistance? It looks like you can withdraw from PayPal and they load your Payoneer card for a fee. I contacted them, but haven’t heard a response yet.

Segun
Segun

Hi Walter, I must say that your write-up was quite helpful. I’m Nigerian and i plan on coming to kenya to open a paypal account as that’s the only mode of payment on a site i work with.

I will be very glad if you could please advise me on how to go about opening an Equity bank account. I dont mind securing an apartment as a proof of address. You can reply to my contact email. Thanks alot.

charles
charles

Hello,

How can I withdraw funds from paypal limited account after 180days are over. Have tried the equity bank procedure and does not work. I don’t have US bank account to do withdraw either.

JEFF BK
JEFF BK
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hi Walter,
What if I don’t have a US account?

SHIRU
SHIRU
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hi walter,
I want to start working online. Can you advise on how to get US account?

Nelson Muhia
Nelson Muhia
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hi Walter,
How can I withdraw money held by PayPal for 180 days through Equity?
I have tried but in vain.
Kindly help.

Henry K
Henry K

Hope this mail finds you well.

I am Henry and based in Uganda.
I have someone in USA who wants to send me some money but through paypal.

I have contacted, Equity Uganda and have told me, its Equity Kenya which is registered with paypal.
Unfortunately i don’t hold an account with Equity Kenya!!

How can you help me please, for i need your kind advice and solution.

Will be very grateful if helped ASAP.

Regards,
HENRY K.

ERIC

Dear sir it was my pleasure reading this post, it has all information i wanted to know, please tell me, i managed to open a kenyan account in Equity bank Kenya, because i’m Ugandan, now the process of creating a Paypal account you know they stick so much on Mobile phone number which is both verified by Paypal and Equity bank by sending an SMS to the phone number, now if i’m to use +256**************** then paypal will know this guy is Ugandan, still i have not yet started using equity online self service portal, i know they will also send multiple sms to my phone, don’t you think because its Ugandan number can lead to problem during the time of sending OTP, let me stop here but the truth is i’m in the boat heading to no where, i’m in the circle just seeing things moving and people talking please any help given to me will be highly appreciated.

Sammy
Sammy

Hey Walter,

What solution did you give Nakshi concerning providing proof of address to PayPal. I have the same problem. I would appreciate it if you got back to me via email. Thanks.

Nakshi
Nakshi

Hi Walter,
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. My question is also about PayPal requiring proof of residential address otherwise they will put restrictions in my usage. They of course don’t accept P.O. Box addresses. They require utility bills, government issued statements etc.

I can’t for the life of me think of any of these documents that would have my residential address on it. What do I do? It has to be proof that is not older than six months. They have said they will limit my usage and I can’t imagine the repercussions. Do you have any suggestions of such a document? If not, what other option of payment can I use?

Thanks,
Nakshi

Muyise Edwin
Muyise Edwin
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hey Walter,
I am also a Ugandan working as a freelancer. I am currently using direct wire transfer but I am keen to set up a platform where my clients can reach me directly. I intend to use PayPal Kenya because Ugandan accounts cant even receive money, My issues are:
1. Can I open an Equity Kenya USD account while in Uganda or will I have to fly to Nairobi?
2.If I succeed in setting up an account and linking it to a Kenyan pay how do I verify me address in Kenya?

brayan
brayan

can I still withdraw using your mpesa services without verifying my account

Maureen
Maureen

Very informative Walter.I recently created a paypal account but I cannot verify it using my card number.How else can I verify my account?

Pauline

Hallo Walter, I have used your services and was very impressed, thanks. There is something I would like to know: when you buy the paypal dollars from people which is the best place to sell them so as to make profit? I believe since you have done this for sometime you are in a position to advice.

denis
denis

hello Mr wallter,am planning to start online work in due time but i was wondering if you will help me withdraw from paypal when i start receiving payments before i can follow the procedures of withdrawing myself

Timothy M
Timothy M

Hey man, that’s great Info. Many things have changed since then like No more Paypal to Payoneer transfers. Need to update this. Thanks

Bonface
Bonface

Hallo Walter…

Just received this email…

We’re writing to let you know that changes we’ve made to comply with U.S. banking regulations may impact your ability to withdraw funds from your PayPal account. To ensure your future withdrawal attempts to a U.S. bank account are not impacted by these changes, we need your assistance in updating your current address information.

For security reasons, we can no longer accept a PO Box address on your PayPal account if you wish to withdraw funds to a U.S. bank account. This means if you have a PO Box as your address and you wish to withdraw funds to a U.S. bank account, you will need to provide a street address instead.

To prevent any delays in completing withdrawal transactions to your U.S. bank account, please update your account with a street address.

Does Kenya has ‘street address’? if not what can one do in this case? Thanks..

Bonface

wmuhanga
wmuhanga

Thanks for the information. I have been doing academic writing on a site crm.writershub.org. I am not sure if it is a legit site. They do not have a facebook page but instead they communicate using skype and e-mails only, can you please help determine if it is legit or not?

wmuhanga
wmuhanga
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Thanks for the response though. A few weeks ago I received payment form them.

joel macharia wachira
joel macharia wachira

I am grateful this information.I started using online payment methods soon.Am interested in learning more..

janyce
janyce

Kudos walter, your blog looks awesome. I never knew we had such great potential in kenya. Also, I never imagined that there were any trustworthy fellows out there. I dream of owning my own blog someday. I think you should write about your success tips when it comes to blogging. It will be very helpful. I think it could also be important to update that epay-kenya has not yet resumed their services.
Nevertheless, am so glad I withdrew $22.10 today and got the cash instantly. I could not believe it. I never thought it was possible to withdrawal such minimal amount. I will keep with your services whenever the need arises.
You are really blessed. Thank you such much in helping kenyans with our paypal nightmare!

Peter Mutiso

Walter,

Good design – and great content – its very inspiring and we are redefining blogging in Kenya. And yes, guys can comfortably get their money from Paypal depending on any described choice above

Patrick Kihara
Reply to  Walter Akolo

And I second whatever Peter Mutiso says. The design is indeed inspiring

Ahmed

Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing this post. However, I was wondering how to SEND money using PayPal in Kenya. So far all I am reading discusses WITHDRAWALS. I have someone in India whom I would like to send some funds. Any assistance/advice would be much appreciated.

John

Try Equity bank, I use it and get my money in 3 to 5 days time, please stop misleading innocent kenyans.

Carol
Carol
Reply to  John

ive tried withdrawing from paypal to equity account but to no avail. i cannot link my card.

kindly advise

peternjoroge

Tried equity bank n they r great

mary wambui
mary wambui

Hi ,can I receive money sent via PayPal on my Airtel money?

mary wambui
mary wambui
Reply to  Walter Akolo

well ,actually I meant,,before I used to receive money from abroad via PayPal,to my safari com M-pesa, I was wondering if the same can apply with Airtel? thank you o

kennedy Ochieng owino
kennedy Ochieng owino

Loved your article and the useful content contained in it. However, I would like to work online and seems like Odesk which apparently takes very long before confirming my job request is doing me a disservice. Could you please help me identify another legitimate online sites which I can work from please

Samuel
Samuel

By the way Walter, what is it with I&M online system nowadays? You reload your Safaricard and they don’t update your balance??? Since back in June, they started by delaying, till u send them an email only then they would update it for you. Now it seems the service is being suspended? I sent two support emails- even called them…they said they are experiencing technical difficulties of which they are repairing. But days later, service is still not functioning. I am already late in doing some online purchases. How frustrating. Is anybody else undergoing this? Thank you.

Samuel
Samuel

Hi Walter. I am Samuel, and I have undergone all these processes and frustrations of waiting endlessly for Payoneer approval, PayPal saying “you can’t add a bank account at this time”, but patience and insistence won. I finally received the Mastercard 2 months ago. For those encountering the PayPal error, try calling them by phone and/or using the contact webform they use on their website repeatedly. Finally they will do a manual adjustment and add your US bank. Good luck!

Calvin
Calvin
Reply to  Samuel

Hi samuel, thanks for sharing. I just called them and they helped add US a/c. however, i have not managed to withdraw from paypal to the US bank stating my account is not verified. they need paypal code which they provide by charging a small refundable fee.the problem is, my payoneer card is not funded therefore they can charge my ac.was hoping to transfer from paypal to US bank before I verify ac using payoneer.how did you handle that?

Antony Mathenge
Antony Mathenge

It worked. It worked!

Walter, I hate it when you are this good.

Mathenge

Antony Mathenge
Antony Mathenge

Oh. Oh.

I think I spoke too soon.

I attempted to withdraw 1 US dollar from the pay pal account into my US bank account and the transaction went through.

Then drama. My account was immediately limited and the transaction reversed.

I was asked to perform a series of security actions which included confirming my credit card account, change my security questions and a change of password, to which I duly complied to.

Did I do something wrong? Is the account now limited for the full six month period.

Antony Mathenge
Antony Mathenge

Good evening Walter,

Finally, I have received my payoneer card after having requested for one through your link.

However, there is a procedure where I have to fill in my US bank details on my pay pal account’s profile section.

After filling in the details, I have on three occasions received the following message:

“You cannot add a bank at this time.”

Kindly let me know what I am doing wrong.

Matts
Matts

Hi Walter,
when you Google the USD in KES rates you tend to get relatively high rates almost on a daily basis compared to the actual rates that payoneer offers. Google gives above 87/= but Payoneer fluctuates between 82 and 85 of course depending on the bank you are withdrawing from.

However, my question is, what is the actual payoneer withdrawal cost from local ATMs because on their webiste it is stated $3.15 but here I see you are saying it is $2.15. And the annual fee was it really scrapped off?

Lastly, which is the best local ATM to withdraw payoneer cash based on your experience and dollar rate?

Austin
Austin

Hi Walter,good work you got on going there..I must say I have gained a lot..ok,am trying to apply for a payoneer mastercard card then this question of home street address comes up..I have gone through the various questions and answers you have provided to the other guys but am still not understanding something..please explain to me how I am to fill in the home street address slot considering the restricted number of characters required in that box..thank you

Austin
Austin
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hey Walter, thank you so much..It has finally gone through 🙂

idah
idah

Hi walter,thank you for the information,but do I need a paypal account and a payoneer account as well?

Anne
Anne
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hi Walter,

My phone cannot support the payoneer app and I would like to know the currency exchange rate that I should use whenever I want to withdraw. Is there a site that I can get the right exchange rate? Kindly assist. Thanks.

Derdus
Derdus

Hi Walter.
I successfully linked my Coop bank visa card but i am not able to add my bank account because i do not know what the routing number is.

Kind Regards

Joseph
Joseph
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hey Walter, Im from Kenya and i used a routing number to add on paypal, and withdrew. how can i reverse that money? Thank you in advance.

Rachael
Rachael

hi walter, can i use an airtel modem to work on iwriter?

Tom

Hey there,
Thanks for being honest. For more than three years now I have wondered about how to get money from my paypal account. I have been to all major banks in Kenya, and sometimes bankstaff look at me as though I had sprouted horns in my nose, whenever I enquired about paypal payment.

I had a oDesk payoneer card (this got lost) but recently I applied for another card. Hoping to get it any time from now. Last time it did not work for me because I did apply for a US bank account. I have already done that now. I have had to live many jobs because the employers insist on paypal payment only

The article is informative, candid and to the point.

Matts
Matts

Hi Walter/Albert

I am also experiencing the same issue of # digits for PayPal code.How did you go about it bro?

Thank you

Anne
Anne

Hi Walter,
Thanks for the link. It was them and that’s how they carry out their transactions. I’ve seen that they are good to use in an emergency because they send within the same day it’s just that they’re are rather costly to be used regularly. I hope my Payoneer card comes soon.

Anne
Anne
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hi Walter,
i received my Payoneer card but it seems Paypal still is having issues as it’s not allowing me to add a bank account or even a new card. I tried chatting with Payoneer guys and what I understood is that I’m supposed to load some funds on the card for it to be accepted but they didn’t give me a clear way to do this. How do I go about using funds in my Paypal account to activate my Payoneer card?

Anne
Anne
Reply to  Walter Akolo

Hi Walter,
Thanks a lot for the link. I followed the info and at first it didn’t work when they made the changes but the second time it worked yaaay :). I now have a US account. What is the next step to follow? Can I withdraw funds from Paypal to the account and use the payoneer card at a KCB ATM or how do I go about withdrawing?

Anne
Anne

Hi Walter,

I have applied for the Payoneer card but i haven’t received it yet so in the meantime i’d like to use ePay. I have completed the registration and I’m even verified. Now to withdraw I receive mail telling me to go to a web address they’ve given me and select an item valued at the amount given then follow instructions. Is that the normal procedure to get the money or is this someone else who has intercepted their site and I’ll be purchasing stuff online that I don’t want nor need as opposed to getting my money? Please advice. Thanks.

M Quest
M Quest

Hi Walter, I used your link to apply for the Payoneer card. The thing is, I did not see a check box to tick for me to automatically be registered for the US Payment Service. I will try sending them an email as you have suggested in earlier posts. After sending the email, is there anything else am supposed to do or is that it?
I also tried verifying my Paypal with my equity bank visa card with no avail. I am made to understand the Payoneer card can be used to do that.

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