How to send money to Kenya from South Africa with the best ZAR-KES rate

A comparison of providers offering services between South Africa and Kenya is paramount. Based on your specific transfer amount, the best way to send money to Kenya could change. Comparing ensures the best price for your needs.

For services allowing you to send Rand to Kenya we've compared 1 providers.

Here are your best money transfer options for sending money from South Africa to Kenya

• Key Currency is our recommended way to send Rand to KES. Sending 130,000 ZAR to KES will cost you R0 in fees, and your recipient will receive 1,019,977 KES. The delivery time usually is minutes - 3 days, but it depends on the day you make the transfer.

• To secure a cheap way to transfer ZAR to Kenya, Key Currency is our recommendation. We found that Key Currency fees were 0 ZAR per transfer, and customers would expect an exchange rate between ZAR-KES that is 0.25% different to the mid-market rate

• Fastest way to send money to Kenya from South Africa is with Key Currency. If you send R130,000 with Key Currency to Kenya, the transfer time is minutes - 3 days. This is currently the fastest option, but can vary depending on how much ZAR you send to Kenya.

This coverage of the market ensure you will get the best options for your transfer to Kenya from South Africa.

Overall, we rated Key Currency as the best, but remember comparing for your specific transfer gives you a comprehensive view of all the options for transferring money from South Africa to Kenya.

A better exchange rate means more Rand being sent to Kenya. This exchange rate determines the price you will pay when buying Kenyan Shilling.

Currently the mid-market rate between Rand and Kenyan Shilling is 7.8024.

Fees and exchange rates make up the total cost of sending money from Kenya to Kenya. Finding a company that can offer both ensures a good deal on your transfer.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: The current ZAR-KES mid-market rate is 7.8024 KES per Rand. You will get more Kenyan Shilling for your Rands if you find a provider close to this number.

• Fees: Transfer fees are charged as part of the transfer. Key Currency charges the lowest fee of 0 ZAR at the moment. We’d always recommend comparing providers for your exact send amount as fees may change.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount of Kenyan Shilling eventually received in Kenya. You can assume that a lower cost of sending from South Africa will result in more money received in Kenya.

Sometimes, waiting a day or two can help you get more KES for the same amount of Rand - but time it wrong and you might get a worse deal.

If you’re sending a large amount where this rate could make a significant difference, use a forward contract. This allows you to lock in an agreed exchange rate between South Africa and Kenya.

A bank transfer through a money transfer company is the cheapest way to send money. Generally, it’s the payment method that will get you the best price on a transfer from South Africa to Kenya at this moment.

Here are all the ways to send money from South Africa to Kenya:

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are usually the best and easiest way to send money from South Africa to Kenya.

By using a money transfer company such as Key Currency for transfers from South Africa to Kenya, you can send money via a bank transfer while benefitting from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get from a traditional bank.

Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from South Africa to Kenya with a debit or a prepaid card is available through .


is one of the cheaper options for debit card payments for transfers from South Africa to Kenya. This cost is against a total of 1 money transfer companies offering this option.

Credit cards

When it comes to credit card transfers from South Africa to Kenya, we recommend comparing your options to get the best deal.

Transfer limits to South Africa and Kenya will differ per company, this may impact the amount you can send and receive if you hit the limits.

Also, rates and fees for different ZAR-KES transfer amounts could change - that’s why it’s best to compare companies for your specific transfer amount. Then, for regular transfers to Kenya, shopping around each time can make a huge difference if you feel you are hitting limits regularly.

For sending large or regular amounts of ZAR to Kenya we'd recommend using Key Currency. They offer a combination of rates and fees when sending from South Africa to Kenya that is the most competitive.

There are different ways to receive money in Kenya.

The most popular ways are direct bank deposit into Kenyan Shilling, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all providers offering money transfers between South Africa and Kenya will offer every method for incoming Kenyan Shilling.

Understanding where the money will eventually go after its left South Africa and entered Kenya could impact the provider you use.

The most common (and generally easiest) way to send money from South Africa to Kenya is directly into a bank account. Key Currency is the best company for sending money from South Africa to a bank account in Kenya.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between South Africa and Kenya.

Mobile wallets, P2P services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular because they offer convenience to those who already have them, but they come with more limitations and higher costs.

When sending Kenyan Shillings to Kenya, you will need to verify your ID at the sign up stage.

The documents you need will vary by money transfer company and in some cases you might need a couple of options.

For the most part however, in South Africa ID can be verified through a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license.

In Kenya, if the recipient needs an ID to collect money - both should be accepted. We’d recommend checking in advance before sending for any specific requirements on receiving money.

Large transactions between South Africa and Kenya, are subject to additional checks such as proof of funds. This is for anti-money laundering purposes.

Key Currency is one of our recommended providers for transfers to Kenya from South Africa due to the ease of sign up and ID verification.

When sending money between South Africa and Kenya there will be tax declarations to consider.

Some transfers into Kenyan Shilling may need to be reported to tax authorities in Kenya, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved (or anywhere else there are additional legal requirements).

Depending on age and income in particular, tax limits and personal allowances will change in Kenya.

When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in South Africa or Kenya to discuss the personal circumstances of the transfer. This ensures you are not missing any specific tax declarations associated with your circumstances.