Payment Service Provider Licence — Fees and Charges in Kenya

A Payment Service Provider (PSP) is an entity authorised by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to provide payment processing, funds transfer, electronic money issuance, or related payment infrastructure services. PSPs are regulated under the CBK's Guidelines for the Authorisation of Payment Service Providers and the National Payment System Act, 2011.

Fees and Charges

Fee Item	Amount (KES)
Authorisation fee (payable on letter of intent)	100,000

PSP Categories and Minimum Capital Requirements

PSP Category	Description	Minimum Core Capital (KES)
Electronic Retail PSP	Payment processing, e-commerce, payment gateway	5,000,000
Designated Payment Instrument Issuer	Issues payment cards and instruments	50,000,000
E-Money Issuer (standard)	Issues electronic money	20,000,000
Small E-Money Issuer	Lower-volume e-money issuer	1,000,000

Application Process

Stage	Action
Name approval	Submit 3 proposed names to CBK for approval before BRS registration
BRS registration	Incorporate company only after CBK name approval
Application submission	Submit to Director, Payment Services Division, CBK
CBK review	CBK may request additional documents within 30 days
Letter of intent	Issued by CBK; triggers KES 100,000 authorisation fee payment
Authorisation certificate	Issued within 7 days of fee payment

A key point for applicants: the CBK does not recognise PSP licences from other jurisdictions. A company licensed in another country must establish a separate Kenyan entity and obtain a separate CBK authorisation before operating in Kenya. Regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) under the National Payment System Act, 2011, Laws of Kenya.

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