Money & Payments in Nairobi (2026)

Visa is more widely supported than Mastercard at Nairobi ATMs; always check the network before inserting your card to avoid card retention.
Credit card payments may incur 3-5% surcharge at some merchants—confirm before swiping.
Cash remains essential for small shops, markets, and informal transport despite growing card infrastructure.
Forex bureaus in Nairobi (Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, Westlands) offer better exchange rates than airport counters or hotels—plan ahead to exchange at one of these.
Always choose to be charged in Kenyan Shillings at ATMs, not your home currency, to avoid poor DCC exchange rates and markup fees.
Tipping is customary in tourist areas and restaurants; always check for included service charges before adding a tip.
Carry small cash denominations (KES 50–500) for casual tipping; large notes can be hard to break and seem excessive.
US dollars (post-2006, pristine condition) are accepted at upscale hotels and safari lodges, but Kenyan Shillings are strongly preferred everywhere else.

Fee Free Banks: Ecobank, Co-Operative Bank, NCBA Bank, Sidian Bank, DTB Bank, I&M Bank, and GT Bank offer fee-free withdrawals to foreign cardholders
Foreign Card Withdrawal Fee Typical: KES 400
Note: Some ATMs charge 30-100 KES for interbank withdrawals. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) to avoid markups.

Availability: Abundant throughout Nairobi—shopping malls, major hotels, business districts, petrol stations, and supermarkets
Card Networks: Most ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard; some accept UnionPay, Cirrus, or Plus networks
Daily Withdrawal Limit: KES 100,000
Withdrawal Limits Per Transaction: KES 40,000

M Pesa Status: Dominant in Kenya; not directly accessible to tourists without a local phone number and SIM
Note: Used for payments, bill settlement, and agent cash withdrawals by locals; foreign visitors typically rely on cards or ATM withdrawals

Taxis: Round up fare; not mandatory but appreciated
Safari Guides: KES 2,000
Per day; tip directly at end of safari. USD 10-20 per person per day also common
General Note: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Use Kenyan Shillings for small tips to avoid currency exchange hassles.

Porters: KES 100
Housekeeping Per Day: KES 200
General Staff Tip Per Day: KES 2,000
Note: Most hotels have a tip box at reception for collective staff gratuity at checkout

Casual Eateries: KES 50
Upscale Establishments: 10-15% of bill if service charge not included
Note: Check bill first—many restaurants add ~10% service charge automatically

Discover: Extremely limited acceptance
Amex Diners: Rarely accepted; plan alternatives
Visa Mastercard: Widely accepted in Nairobi at major hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and large stores
Note On Acceptance: Cards increasingly accepted at fuel stations, pharmacies, mid-tier restaurants, and neighborhood stores. Some establishments may charge 3-5% surcharge on card payments.

Fees: Monthly maintenance fees typical, often offset by services like overdraft facilities or free ATM withdrawals. Account types and fees vary widely by bank—comparison essential.
Diaspora Accounts: Available from major banks (Stanbic, KCB, National Bank) for Kenyans abroad and can sometimes be opened remotely, though in-person verification often still required.
Account Requirements: Valid passport, proof of address (sometimes abroad), proof of income/employment. Some banks require minimum opening deposit and maintain minimum balance requirements.
Expat Considerations: Foreigners typically need to visit branch in person with documents. Some specialized expat banking services available (e.g., HSBC Expat). Neobanks offer lower maintenance fees and cheaper international transfers.
Account Setup Process: In-person visit required for most foreigners; some banks allow online pre-registration but physical identity verification is mandatory. Kenyan regulations require physical ID checks for non-residents.

Equity Bank
Features
Extensive branch network across Nairobi, expat-friendly
Standard Chartered Kenya
Features
Subsidiary of global bank, one of Kenya's largest, stricter requirements but good for stable employment/high income
KCB (Kenya Commercial Bank)
Features
Operates across East Africa region, diaspora accounts available
ABSA Bank Kenya
Features
Popular with professionals and expats, formerly Barclays Kenya

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Nairobi

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.