Login Accept mobile money payments in Tanzania
Paysnapper helps businesses get paid by customers in Tanzania through M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, and Airtel Money, all through one integration, with payouts in the currency you choose.
In Tanzania, mobile money is how most people pay day to day, and a card-only checkout leaves out the majority of customers
A cards-only checkout doesn't fit local habits
Mobile wallets such as M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, and Airtel Money handle most everyday spending in Tanzania, not cards. Card ownership is limited, so a checkout built only for cards turns away a large share of shoppers.
Standard processors rarely connect to local wallets
Many payment providers built for other regions have no direct link to Tanzania's mobile money networks, forcing merchants to bolt on separate local tools or lose those sales entirely.
Extra middlemen chip away at your margin
Routing payments through a global processor plus a local aggregator plus a settlement partner adds fees and delay at every step, and support becomes harder to reach when something goes wrong.
One integration connects your business to Tanzania's payment rails
Paysnapper keeps a single connection to the mobile money operators, banks, and settlement partners you need, so you plug in once and reach customers however they prefer to pay.
From checkout to money in your account
Step 1. At checkout, the customer pays using M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, or Airtel Money, confirming through Lipa Namba or a USSD prompt right on their phone, the way they already pay for everyday purchases.
Step 2. That payment reaches Paysnapper through direct relationships with Tanzania's mobile network operators and banks, without unnecessary middlemen.
Step 3. Funds build up in shillings on your Paysnapper balance, with a clear record tying every transaction to its payout.
Step 4. From there we convert and pay out in USD, EUR, GBP, USDT, USDC, or BTC, or send it directly to a local or international bank account, on the schedule you choose.
Can a business based outside Tanzania accept mobile money payments?
Yes. Paysnapper acts as the single intermediary between your business and Tanzania's mobile money operators and banks, so you do not need a local entity or a direct relationship with each provider to start collecting payments.
Mobile money is already how Tanzania pays
Tanzania was one of the first African markets to adopt mobile money at scale, and wallets such as M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, and Airtel Money remain part of daily life for shopping, bill payment, and transfers between family and friends.
Mobile money is the backbone
Wallets such as M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, and Airtel Money carry a large share of everyday retail and person to person payments across the country, well ahead of card usage.
Agent networks extend the reach
A dense network of mobile money agents lets customers cash in and cash out even where formal banking is limited, putting digital payments within reach of nearly everyone.
Airtel Money is catching up fast
Airtel Money is growing quickly among customers who want a simple, phone first way to pay, adding further reach alongside M-Pesa and Mixx by Yas.
Backed by a clear regulatory framework
Payments in Tanzania operate under the Bank of Tanzania and its rules for mobile money and payment service providers, giving merchants a stable environment to collect and move funds.
Why prioritize mobile money over cards in Tanzania?
Mobile wallets carry the bulk of everyday digital payments in Tanzania, with far more active wallets than payment cards in circulation. Leading with mobile money reflects how people actually prefer to pay.
What you can accept in Tanzania right now
M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, and Airtel Money carry most of the volume, and all connect through the same Paysnapper integration. Open a wallet below for its acceptance methods and settlement notes.
| Wallet | Provider | Acceptance methods | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📱 M-Pesa | Vodacom Tanzania | M-Pesa app, USSD, till number payment | ✓ Supported |
| 📱 Mixx by Yas | Tigo / Yas | Mixx by Yas app, USSD | ✓ Supported |
Selling outside Tanzania too? The same integration covers all 11 Paysnapper markets. Take a look at every country we support.
How your Tanzanian earnings reach you
Collecting shillings is only half the job. Converting that revenue into something usable, at a fair rate, is where many providers fall short. We convert TZS and pay out in crypto, fiat currency, or straight to your bank, in line with Tanzania's foreign exchange rules.
Crypto
Suited to merchants based offshore or holding treasury in crypto. Pick daily, weekly, or monthly payouts, with no manual conversion needed.
Fiat
Hold a balance or route funds to a partner account in whichever currency matches your books. Set up individually for each merchant.
Bank
Sent straight to your company's bank account by scheduled wire or SWIFT, along with a reconciliation file linking each payout to the original customer payment.
Multi-jurisdiction
Funds move into the jurisdiction that suits your corporate structure. We operate within Tanzania's foreign exchange and crypto rules set by the Bank of Tanzania, never around them.
How do I get funds out of shillings?
Paysnapper converts revenue collected in TZS into USD, EUR, GBP, USDT, USDC, or BTC, or sends it directly to your company bank account. Settlement currency and schedule are agreed per merchant, always within the foreign exchange rules set by the Bank of Tanzania.
Straightforward pricing, no need to 'get in touch' just to see a number
Estimated pricing for accepting mobile money in Tanzania
per successful payment, varying with volume and settlement currency. What you see is the full, all-in figure. No aggregator markup added, and no hidden FX cut when shillings get converted at settlement.
We finalize pricing per merchant once we've reviewed your payment mix, volume, and settlement currency. You'll get one all-in quote with provider fees included. If a particular route costs more than usual, we'll break it down so you know exactly what you're paying and why.
What merchants usually ask first
What does it cost? +
Indicative pricing runs in the 2.9–3.9% range per successful payment, depending on volume and settlement currency. There’s no fee on failed attempts and no extra fee for settlement out. Final pricing is set per merchant and we’ll quote you the all-in number including any provider-side fees in the proposal.
How fast can I go live? +
Merchant review runs 48 to 72 hours. After approval you integrate one API to accept M-Pesa and Airtel Money, with a sandbox key to build against first. The same integration reaches the other 10 markets when you’re ready to expand.
Which wallets does Paysnapper support in Kenya? +
M-Pesa, which holds the large majority of the market, and Airtel Money. M-Pesa acceptance covers Lipa na M-Pesa style merchant payments and STK push, so the customer confirms the payment with a prompt on their own phone. See the M-Pesa wallet page for details.
Is M-Pesa acceptance regulated in Kenya? +
Yes. Mobile money in Kenya is overseen by the Central Bank of Kenya under the National Payment System framework. Paysnapper operates inside the local rules for acquiring, settlement, and FX rather than around them.
Ready to start accepting payments in Tanzania?
Let us know what you sell and how you'd like to get paid. We'll respond with a proposal that spells out every fee and the exact mobile money methods you'll be able to accept, typically within one business day.