How to Top Up Your PayPal Account from M-PESA

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Before you can top up your PayPal account from M-PESA, ensure you have:

1. A registered PayPal account at paypal.com/ke
2. An active M-PESA account with Safaricom
3. Both accounts registered in the same name (mandatory requirement)
4. The M-PESA app installed on your smartphone
5. Sufficient balance in your M-PESA account to cover the top-up amount plus fees

Step 1: Setting Up Your PayPal Account

If you don't have a PayPal account yet:

1. Visit paypal.com/ke to sign up
2. Follow the registration steps to complete your account setup
3. While adding card details is required during signup, your account will still be created even if you don't add a card
4. To finish setting up, click on the PayPal logo at the top left or click the confirmation link in the email from PayPal to verify your email address

Step 2: Link Your M-PESA and PayPal Accounts

Before you can top up your PayPal account, you must first link your M-PESA and PayPal accounts:

1. Open the M-PESA app and log in using your M-PESA PIN or biometrics
2. From the home screen navigation bar, tap the Global Payments tab
3. Select the PayPal mini app that directs you to the link account option
4. Enter your PayPal email address and password
5. Log in to your PayPal account
6. A page with terms and conditions will appear—scroll down and select "Agree and Connect"
7. You will receive a confirmation notification from Safaricom: "Dear customer you have successfully linked your M-PESA account 07xxxxxxxxxx to your PayPal account"

Step 3: Top Up Your PayPal Account from M-PESA

Once your accounts are linked, adding funds to PayPal is straightforward:

1. Log in to the M-PESA app using your M-PESA PIN or chosen biometrics
2. From the home screen, tap the Global Payments tab on the navigation bar
3. Select the PayPal mini app
4. Your available balance will be displayed in both USD and KES
5. Tap on the Top-up Account tab
6. Enter the amount you want to top up in KES and press continue
7. Enter your M-PESA PIN to authorize the transaction
8. You will receive a pop-up confirming that the deposit request is successful, along with the transaction ID

Confirmation Messages You'll Receive

After a successful top-up, you will receive two SMS confirmations:

First message from Safaricom: "You have added $XX (amount in USD) to your PayPal account"

Second message from M-PESA: "Transaction [ID] Confirmed. Ksh XX sent to PAYPAL TOPUP for account [your PayPal email]"