How to send money to Kenya from Canada with the best CAD-KES rate

Comparing based on your specific needs is the best way to send money from Canada to Kenya with confidence.

Right now, for CAD/KES

• Wise is our top choice for CAD to KES transfers. Sending 10,039 CAD to KES will cost you $119.79 in fees, and you will receive 896,482 KES. The delivery time usually is within a week.

• Key Currency offers the lowest fees of the 12 available options. This cost combines the exchange rate between the Canadian Dollar and Kenyan Shilling that is 0.25% different to the mid-market rate and the fee of 0 CAD.

• Fastest way to transfer money to Kenya from Canada is with Regency FX. For example, sending $10,039 to Kenya with Regency FX will be 6-12 hours. But, it can be quicker or longer depending on the exact amount, as well as the day and time of your transfer.

Our analysis, and search results, include 12 providers that operate between Canada and Kenya. These are ranked by speed, overall cost and ease of use.

Through this, you get a comprehensive view of all the options you have in Canada when you need to send money to Kenya.

The exchange rate determines the price you’ll pay for Kenyan Shilling when you send Canadian Dollar to Kenya.

The current exchange rate between the Canadian Dollar and Kenyan Shilling is 91.0994, but it constantly changes.

When calculating the costs of money transfers between Canada and Kenya, opt for the best combination of fees and exchange rates:

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: Today, the CAD-KES mid-market rate equals 91.0994 KES per Canadian Dollar.

• Fees: Fees are charged on top of a transfer. The company offering the lowest fee is Key Currency, only 0 CAD. We would recommend searching for your exact send amount to get an idea of fees.

• Amount Received: The amount received in Kenyan Shilling is the biggest indicator the total cost of sending money from Canada to Kenya. Essentially, the more the recipient receives in Kenya, the less it is costing to send from Canada.

It’s possible that waiting a day or two can help you get more KES for the same amount of Canadian Dollar. But, the best way to lock in a price between Canada and Kenya is by using a forward contract.

A bank transfer is the our recommended option for money transfers between Canada and Kenya.

Here are all the ways to send money from Canada to Kenya:

Bank transfers

Paying via a bank transfer is often the better option for sending money from Canada to Kenya.

By using a money transfer company such as Key Currency for transfers from Canada to Kenya, you can send money and while benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get with a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from Canada to Kenya with a debit or a prepaid card is easy with Xe.


Xe is a one of the better options in the market for international debit card transfers from Canada to Kenya.

Credit cards

When it comes to credit card transfers from Canada to Kenya, we recommend comparing your options to get the best deal.

Always choose providers that are regulated by financial authorities in both Canada and Kenya to ensure funds are protected.

Please refer to our directory of financial regulators worldwide for key regulatory bodies for money transfers between Canada and Kenya.

Some services have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can transfer from Canada to Kenya.

Companies will offer different rates and fees for different transfer amounts. Some companies will become more expensive after certain thresholds are hit.

We’d recommend using Wise if you need to send large amounts of CAD to Kenya. The combination of rates and fees when sending to Kenya is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

Also, always check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money leaving Canada, or entering Kenya. Mis-understanding these could result in a slower, or even failed, transfer.

There are different ways to receive money in Kenya. You can do a direct bank deposit, cash pickup, use a mobile wallet or receive money into a multi-currency account. It’s likely not all providers serving transfers from Canada to Kenya will offer every method, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

A direct transfer to a bank account is one of the more common ways to transfer from Canada into Kenyan Shilling. Wise is the best company for bank transfers between Canada and Kenya.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between Canada and Kenya.

Mobile wallet services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular too, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like Key Currency.

When signing up to a money transfer company to send between Canada and Kenya, you will need to verify your ID.

The exact documents you need might vary and in some cases you will need more than one.

For the most part, in Canada this will be a government ID like a passport or driver's license. In Kenya it will be a similar set of documents, although this should only be needed if you are opening a new account in Kenya, or collecting in cash.

Big transactions between Canada and Kenya, are subject to additional checks. A provider may ask you for proof of address or may want to know where the money comes from.

We recommend Wise in part due to their easy sign up process in Canada.

When sending large amounts of money between Canada and Kenya there will be tax implications to consider.

Some transfers into Kenyan Shilling may need to be reported to tax authorities in Kenya, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Tax limits and personal allowances differ in Kenya based on age, income and a few other elements. When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in Canada or Kenya to discuss your personal circumstances.