Wire · operational-macro
Kenya Made the Right Call on Not Taxing Mobile Money
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Fusion42 · 22 September 2026 · Fusion42 review
Kenya exempted mobile money transfers from a proposed 16% VAT to avoid increasing transaction costs that could push consumers back toward cash and informal economies, protecting financial inclusion. This decision contrasts with other regional governments who are imposing similar taxes despite behavioral evidence suggesting volume declines.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Fintech.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
You now see that Kenya values mobile money as a driver of financial inclusion over short-term tax revenue. If you operate in regional fintech, this opens a window to argue against harmful transaction taxes based on user behaviour evidence.
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1 source · 22 Sep 2026
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