If you’re planning to start an M-Pesa agency, already operate an M-Pesa shop, or simply want to understand how agents earn money, knowing the M-Pesa deposit commission chart is essential.
Every time a customer deposits money into their M-Pesa account at your shop, the customer pays nothing deposits are free. Instead, Safaricom pays the M-Pesa agent a commission based on the amount deposited. The higher the transaction value, the higher the commission earned, up to the maximum commission band.
In this guide, you’ll find the latest M-Pesa deposit commission chart, understand how commissions work, learn how to maximize your earnings, and discover answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What is an M-Pesa Deposit Commission?
An M-Pesa deposit commission is the amount Safaricom pays authorized M-Pesa agents whenever they facilitate a successful customer cash deposit into an M-Pesa wallet.
Unlike withdrawals, where customers pay transaction charges, deposit transactions are completely free for customers. Agents are compensated directly by Safaricom through commission payments.
M-Pesa Deposit Commission Chart
M-Pesa agent commissions are calculated based on transaction “bands” or ranges. Below is a breakdown of the typical gross commissions paid out per deposit transaction band.
| Deposit Transaction Range (Ksh) | Estimated Total Agent Commission (Ksh) |
| 10 – 49 | 0.00 |
| 50 – 100 | 4.00 |
| 101 – 500 | 11.00 |
| 501 – 1,000 | 15.00 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | 25.00 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | 28.00 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | 35.00 |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | 43.00 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | 55.00 |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | 68.00 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | 82.00 |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | 90.00 |
| 20,001 – 35,000 | 95.00 |
| 35,001 – 50,000 | 140.00 |
| 50,001 – 250,000 | 160.00 – 190.00 |
Understanding the 80/20 and 70/30 Commission Split
If you operate as an independent shop using a line leased from a Principal Agent (Aggregator/Dealer), you are technically a Sub-Agent.
The commission listed in the chart above represents the gross pool allocated to that transaction. Safaricom splits this payout between the Principal Agent and the Sub-Agent using a standard formula:
- Sub-Agent (The Shop Operator): Typically receives 70% to 80% of the total commission.
- Principal Agent (The Aggregator): Retains 20% to 30% for providing corporate backing, line management, and floating infrastructure support.
- Withholding Tax: A 5% withholding tax is legally deducted from your earnings by the government before the final cash-out.
Therefore, if a deposit earns a gross commission of Ksh 15, a sub-agent on an 80/20 split will net approximately Ksh 12 before tax.
Why do some M-Pesa deposits earn zero commission?
Transactions between Ksh 1 and Ksh 49 do not attract any commission for the agent. Additionally, you cannot deposit money directly into another customer’s account at an agent desk; the customer must deposit to their own line and send it themselves
References & Citations
- Safaricom_charges: Safaricom PLC, M-PESA Personal Tariffs & Transaction Limits Guide. Safaricom Official Charges
- Safaricom_agents: Safaricom Business, Requirements and Credit Facilities for M-Pesa Agents and Dealers. Safaricom Agent Portal
Related Resources
M-Pesa Withdrawal Charges Calculator
M-Pesa Send Money Charges Calculator
