PayPal M-PESA Thunes Service to Shut Down in August 2025 as App-Based Transfers Take Over
The familiar web portal is going away, and with it, the way many Kenyans have moved money between PayPal and M-PESA for over a decade.
A notable chapter in Kenya’s digital finance space is drawing to a close. PayPal and M-PESA will soon end support for the long-running Mobile Money transfer platform powered by Thunes. The service—accessed via paypal-mobilemoney.com/m-pesa—will officially go offline on 16 August 2025.
The move signals a pivot in how users will move money between their PayPal and M-PESA accounts. Instead of using the familiar web portal, customers will now be required to initiate transfers directly through the M-PESA app. The change applies whether you’re sending funds to PayPal or withdrawing to M-PESA, and it will not be supported through the PayPal website or mini app.
While the announcement caught some off guard, it’s not entirely surprising. PayPal and Safaricom have been gradually deepening integration, and this latest shift places full control within the M-PESA ecosystem. That means fewer intermediaries and a more app-centered experience—likely aimed at boosting security and streamlining cross-border transfers.
Thunes, the Singapore-based fintech that powered the service, has maintained a low profile throughout the transition. The company’s backend infrastructure had quietly enabled cross-platform remittances for years. Now, its role in that process will sunset, leaving Safaricom’s native app as the sole gateway for PayPal-to-M-PESA links.
What This Means for Users
If you rely on the Thunes-powered platform, you’ll need to reconfigure your setup.
Download or update the M-PESA app from the App Store or Google Play.
Use the in-app PayPal integration link to connect your account.
Future transfers will be processed entirely within the app.
Users who delay the transition may find themselves unable to move funds after August 16. No fallback option via PayPal’s own interface will be available.
A Broader Digital Realignment
This shift isn’t just administrative. It reflects a broader trend: global payment players are increasingly deferring to local platforms in emerging markets. By handing over the reins, PayPal avoids duplicating services that Safaricom can deliver more efficiently on the ground.
The move also underlines the growing maturity of Kenya’s fintech space. What began as a workaround for cross-border commerce has evolved into a more structured, app-native financial experience. For merchants, freelancers, and digital consumers in Kenya, the transition marks a step toward simplification—even if it comes with a few growing pains.
Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke
