Just reviewed their website and Kenyans can now send and receive funds via paypal:

https://www.paypal.com/worldwide/

Yes, no withdrawals to local accounts just yet. But purchases can be made as long as you have a valid debit card linked to your paypal account.

Plus you can simply apply for a paypal debit card after your account has been verified. You will be able to use at all Visa/Mastercard ATMs including pesa point. Limit is 10K.

It started on saturday. It's only the first step. what they are now looking for is a local bank that they feel comfortable with..(that's the one I'll buy shares in.lol)

As for those with withdrawal issues. I cannot emphasize the need to follow paypal terms. Right now you cannot withdraw directly from your local bank account unless via US banks.

the immediate solution which is legal is

1. stop using the us or uk based paypal accounts to receive your money.
2. receive your funds in your local paypal accounts and last
3. send the money to your friends paypal account who should send you a paypal card to withdraw the funds from here.

there is more that one can do but unfortunately, this is a public forum....



It is now more important NOT to login to any other paypal account ( ie your friends or family's) to check your balances especially if you have a local account.

Good luck to all. now ecommerce has come to Kenya.

@ bird_man i use KCB Prepaid Debit Card, i have had it for 2 years now with no problems. I have even recently purchased airline tickets worth 500K using the card...

@bird_man my paypal is not attached to any kenyan account. however, if you have any debit or credit card with a visa or mastercard logo, it can be used in paypal to deposit funds. That's why paypal is there in the first place. Don't know about elektron cards though.

As for withdrawing, the cheapest and most legit method is the one i have outlined above. No risk to your account being closed and if your friend tries to scam you, you can always chargeback. account being closed should be your most important consideration. If you are banned once, you will never ever go back to paypal.

However, to avoid all doubt, just ask paypal support. They are very helpful and they will advice you on what to do.

@bird_man been having the same issue with my coop bank credit card it all started last week but one on a Friday. called them this week on Monday they said they are having an issue with their system so they have to disable online transactions until they get things back to normal. But the problem they aren't giving any dates Currently I'm using my KCB debit card linked with the same PayPal account.

Paypal have finally started looking at Africa objectively. The truth is that Africa is the safest continent to carry out e-commerce, but Paypal allowed negative perceptions of Africa to cloud their judgement. I wonder whether they might work with MPESA on a mobile money solution

@bird_man thank u so much! got sorted out in less than a minute!

Actually i had been calling the mobile numbers but they weren't helpful at all!

Once again thanx will save this number it will be handy in future!