Mobile Money in Zambia
Updated March 2026 · 3 providers compared
Compare MTN MoMo, Airtel Money, and Zamtel Kwacha — fees, transaction limits, and features. Free to register.
Provider Overview
MTN MoMo
Largest mobile money. Free P2P sending for K5-K150. International remittances to EU/UK/Canada.
Send fee
Free – ZMK 5
Airtel Money
Tariffs revised Sept 2024 per BOZ Gazette 764. Free deposits.
Send fee
ZMK 2 – 28
Zamtel Kwacha
Government-owned, lowest fees
Send fee
ZMK 1.5 – 25
Send Money Fee Comparison
| Amount | MTN MoMo | Airtel Money | Zamtel |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZMK 5 – 150 | Free (registered) | ZMK 2 | ZMK 1.5 |
| ZMK 151 – 300 | ZMK 0.50 | ZMK 5 | ZMK 4 |
| ZMK 301 – 1,000 | ZMK 2 | ZMK 7 | ZMK 6 |
| ZMK 1,001 – 2,500 | ZMK 3 | ZMK 11 | ZMK 9 |
| ZMK 2,501 – 5,000 | ZMK 5 | ZMK 17 | ZMK 15 |
| ZMK 5,001 – 10,000 | ZMK 5 | ZMK 23 | ZMK 20 |
| ZMK 10,001 – 25,000 | ZMK 5 | ZMK 28 | ZMK 25 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | MTN | Airtel | Zamtel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send Money (P2P) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pay Bills (ZESCO, DSTV) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Buy Airtime | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank Transfer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| International Remittance | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Merchant Payments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Savings Account | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Micro-Loans | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Insurance Products | ✓ | — | — |
| Cross-Network Transfer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
How to Register — 4 Steps
Buy a SIM Card
Get an MTN, Airtel, or Zamtel SIM from any agent or shop. Costs ZMK 5-10. Bring your NRC or passport for registration.
Dial Registration Code
MTN: *303#, Airtel: *778#, Zamtel: *388#. Follow the prompts to create your mobile money account.
Set Your PIN
Create a secure 4-digit PIN. Never share this with anyone — not even agents. Change it regularly.
Deposit Money
Visit any agent (marked with the provider's logo). Give them cash and your phone number. Money appears in your wallet instantly.
Mobile Money in Zambia — Guide
Mobile money has transformed financial services in Zambia, with over 15 million registered accounts. Regulated by the Bank of Zambia under BOZ Gazette No. 764 (2024), mobile money provides financial inclusion to millions who don't have traditional bank accounts. Over 60% of Zambian adults now use mobile money for daily transactions. All deposits are free across all providers.
Recent Developments (2024-2026)
- MTN MoMo: Free P2P sending for K5-K150 to registered users (since March 2024)
- Airtel Money tariff revision per BOZ Gazette No. 764 (September 2024)
- MTN international remittances launched January 28, 2026 — direct transfers to bank accounts in the EU, UK, and Canada from K5 per transaction
- All deposits free across MTN, Airtel, and Zamtel
What Can You Do With Mobile Money?
Beyond basic transfers, mobile money now supports bill payments (ZESCO, DStv, school fees), merchant payments at shops and restaurants, savings products, micro-loans (MTN Kongola, Airtel Kwacha Loans), and international remittances. Many employers also pay salaries directly to mobile wallets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mobile money is best in Zambia?
MTN MoMo has the largest agent network (8M+ users) and most features including insurance and micro-loans. Airtel Money is competitive in urban areas with slightly lower fees. Zamtel Kwacha has the lowest fees but fewer agents and features. Many Zambians use 2 services — MTN MoMo for reach and Zamtel for low fees.
How much does it cost to send money via mobile money?
MTN MoMo is now the cheapest for sending: P2P transfers of K5-K150 are FREE to registered users (since March 2024). Larger amounts cost K0.50 to K5 on MTN. Airtel charges K2-K28 depending on amount. Cash-out (withdrawal) costs more: K2.50-K100 on Airtel, K2.50-K45 on MTN. Deposits are FREE on all providers. Wallet-to-bank transfers on MTN cost 2%.
Is mobile money safe in Zambia?
Yes, mobile money is regulated by the Bank of Zambia. Your funds are held in trust accounts at commercial banks. Key safety tips: never share your PIN, verify agent authenticity, check transaction confirmations, and report unauthorized transactions immediately by calling your provider's toll-free number.
Can I transfer between mobile money and bank accounts?
Yes, all three providers support bank-to-mobile and mobile-to-bank transfers. Fees range from ZMK 10-25 depending on the amount. Most major banks (Zanaco, Stanbic, FNB, Absa) have mobile money integration. Processing takes minutes for same-bank transfers, up to 24 hours for inter-bank.
What is the daily transaction limit?
MTN MoMo: ZMK 25,000/day. Airtel Money: ZMK 20,000/day. Zamtel Kwacha: ZMK 15,000/day. Monthly limits are typically 4-5x the daily limit. For higher limits, upgrade your KYC level by visiting a service centre with your NRC and proof of address.