How to send money to Kenya from UAE with the best AED-KES rate

An exchange rate determines the price you will pay when buying Kenyan Shilling. A better exchange rate means more money reaching the recipient in Kenya.

The current rate between the UAE Dirham and Kenyan Shilling is 35.2329. With the AED-KES exchange rate changing almost constantly, it pays to know the averages to get a better deal.

The total cost of sending money to Kenya from the United Arab Emirates, is made-up of a combination of fees and exchange rates. Sending with a company that can offer a good deal on both ensures a good deal on your transfer.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: Currently, the mid-market for AED-KES is 35.2329 KES per UAE Dirham.

• Fees: Transfer fees may have to be paid alongside the transfer, either as a set fee or a percentage of the transfer. Key Currency, cahrges 0 AED per transfer, which is currently the cheapest option. Although you should search for your send amount for actual fees.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount of Kenyan Shilling eventually received in Kenya.

A better option is to use a forward contract can also allows you to lock in an agreed exchange rate between the United Arab Emirates and Kenya.

Paying via bank transfer is the payment method that will get you the best price with a money transfer company. When sending money from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya.

Here are all the ways to send money from United Arab Emirates to Kenya:

Bank transfers

A bank transfer is often the default option for money transfers from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya.

By using a money transfer company such as Key Currency to send money from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya, you can while benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than a bank would offer. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya with a prepaid or debit card is very easy with Taptap Send.


Taptap Send is a great choice for sending money with a debit card from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya. This is from the 4 money transfer companies compared.

Credit cards

When it comes to credit card money transfers from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya there aren't that many options, mainly because it's more expensive.

If you have to, we recommend running a quick comparison to get the best deal on KES

Companies offering money transfers between the United Arab Emirates and Kenya have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much money you can send.

Rates and fees for different transfer amounts could change if you pass a threshold - that’s why it’s best to compare AED-KES rates for your specific transfer amount.

For regular transfers from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya, shopping around each time can make a huge difference.

We’ve recommended Key Currency for sending AED to Kenya, because of their combination of rates and fees when sending from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya that is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

Check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money entering Kenya from the United Arab Emirates.

There are different ways to receive Kenyan Shilling in Kenya. The most popular options are direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

All providers work differently and not all offering transfers from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya support every method for receiving Kenyan Shilling so it’s best to check ahead of time.

Sending directly to a bank account in Kenya is one of the most common ways to receive money from the United Arab Emirates. For most part, this is convenient but does have receiving fees to potentially be aware of.

Key Currency is the best company for bank transfers between the United Arab Emirates and Kenya.

Cash pickup is popular in Kenya, but not always supported and can be costly compared to cheaper options.

Mobile wallet or P2P services and payment apps like PayPal, Zelle, and CashApp are popular because of convenience. They come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like Taptap Send, and are recommended for domestic payments only.

When sending Kenyan Shilling to Kenya, you will need to verify your ID with your chosen money transfer company.

The documents you need will vary and in some cases you might need more than one.

For the most part, accepted IDs in the United Arab Emirates include government issued IDs such as passports or driver's licenses. If the recipient needs an ID to collect money in Kenya, the options are similar.

Large transactions between United Arab Emirates and Kenya can be subject to additional checks such as proof of funds for anti-money laundering purposes. These won’t be needing when signing up, but will be need ahead of any transfer.

One of the reasons Key Currency has scored so highly for transfers to Kenya is their easy sign up process in the United Arab Emirates.

When sending money between the United Arab Emirates and Kenya there will be tax declarations to consider.

Some transfers into Kenyan Shilling may need to be reported to tax authorities in Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, depending on size and particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Tax limits and personal allowances will change in Kenya based on age, income and a few other elements - such as whether the funds are a gift. Tax law can be confusing, when in doubt, please contact a tax professional in the United Arab Emirates or Kenya to discuss your personal circumstances to ensure you are not missing any specific tax declarations associated with your international money transfer.