Equitel is free for some of the most common actions and charged by band for others. Sending to another Equity account is free, receiving from M-PESA or Airtel Money is free, and cash deposits are free. Sending to M-PESA, sending to Airtel Money, and withdrawing cash are charged by amount.
What is free on Equitel
- Sending to another Equity Bank account: free (up to KES 300,000).
- Receiving from M-PESA or Airtel Money: free.
- Cash deposit at an Equity agent: free.
- Very small sends of KES 1 to 100: free.
- Equitel to Equitel transfers: free.
Send money to M-PESA from Equitel (by band)
Ranges reflect the difference between Equitel's two published tables, one of which quotes fees exclusive of government tax. Confirm the exact figure in-app before sending.
| Amount (KES) | Fee (KES) |
|---|---|
| 1 to 100 | 0 |
| 101 to 500 | 10 to 11 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 12 to 13 |
| 1,001 to 1,500 | 14 to 15 |
| 1,501 to 2,500 | 23 to 24 |
| 2,501 to 3,500 | 33 to 34 |
| 3,501 to 5,000 | 43 to 44 |
| 5,001 to 7,500 | 55 to 56 |
| 7,501 to 20,000 | 65 to 66 |
| 20,001 to 150,000 | 67 to 68 |
Withdraw cash from Equitel (by band)
Same caveat: ranges reflect the two published tables, with some figures pre-tax. Confirm in-app before a large withdrawal.
| Amount (KES) | Fee (KES) |
|---|---|
| up to 2,500 | 27.50 to 30 |
| 2,501 to 5,000 | 34 to 49.50 |
| 5,001 to 10,000 | 82.50 to 90 |
| 10,001 to 20,000 | 159.50 to 174 |
| 20,001 to 35,000 | 187 to 204 |
| 35,001 to 50,000 | 214.50 to 234 |
| 50,001 to 100,000 | 242 to 270 |
PesaLink and RTGS (to other banks)
Sending to another bank over PesaLink is free up to KES 1,000, then charged in bands from around KES 37 to KES 162 depending on amount. RTGS to another bank is around KES 300, and RTGS to an Equity account is free up to KES 300,000. Confirm the current figure in-app before sending.
Other charges
- Mini statement by email: KES 5.
- Standard call and SMS rates apply to the Equitel line as a phone service, separate from banking fees. Equitel also runs promotional call and SMS rates from time to time; confirm current voice and SMS rates with the Equitel app or with Safaricom-vs-competitor comparisons before making assumptions.
FAQs
- Is Equitel free to send money?
- Sending to another Equity account is free (up to KES 300,000). Sending to M-PESA or Airtel Money is charged by band. Receiving from M-PESA or Airtel Money into your Equity account is free. Equitel to Equitel transfers are free.
- How much does it cost to withdraw from Equitel?
- By amount band, from about KES 27.50 on small amounts up to around KES 270 on the largest published band. The exact figure depends on which of Equitel's two published tariffs applies, and whether the figure is quoted before or after government tax. Confirm the current figure in the Equity Mobile app before a large withdrawal.
- Why do Equitel's fees differ between sources?
- Equitel publishes two tariff tables on its own website that do not fully agree with each other, and some fees are quoted before government tax. That is why we publish ranges and mark them for verification. Always confirm the figure shown to you in the app before a large transaction.
- Is depositing cash into Equitel charged?
- No. Cash deposit at an Equity agent is free. You only pay to send money to other networks, to withdraw cash, or to send to other banks over PesaLink and RTGS.
- What does PesaLink cost from Equitel?
- Sending to another bank over PesaLink is free up to KES 1,000, then charged in bands from around KES 37 to KES 162 depending on amount. RTGS to another bank is around KES 300, and RTGS to an Equity account is free up to KES 300,000. Confirm in-app before sending.