Can I accept M-Pesa for event tickets?

Yes. Use a ticketing platform that supports M-Pesa, such as SoldOutAfrica or Pesapal Events. You don’t need to integrate M-Pesa yourself—the platform handles it.

Which African countries use mobile money for events?

Kenya (M-Pesa), Uganda (MTN MoMo, Airtel Money), Nigeria (mobile money and card), Ghana, Tanzania, and others. Choose a platform that supports the methods your attendees use.

Mobile Money Payments for Events: M-Pesa, MTN MoMo, Airtel Money Guide

Across Africa, mobile money is how many people pay for everything—including event tickets.

If your ticketing platform doesn’t support it, you miss a large share of potential buyers. This guide covers the main options and how to choose a platform.

Why mobile money matters for events

In Kenya, a large majority of event-goers prefer M-Pesa. In Uganda, MTN MoMo and Airtel Money are common. In Nigeria and Ghana, mobile money and card both matter.

Platforms that support these methods natively see higher conversion and fewer drop-offs at checkout—attendees pay with a few taps and get instant confirmation.

M-Pesa (Kenya and beyond)

Where: Kenya primarily; also in Tanzania, and expanding.
How it works: Customer enters phone number; receives STK push; confirms payment. Funds settle to the merchant (or platform) according to the integration.
For events: Use a ticketing platform that supports M-Pesa (e.g. SoldOutAfrica, Pesapal Events, Mtickets). You don’t need your own Till or Paybill—the platform handles the flow.

MTN MoMo and Airtel Money (Uganda, Ghana, etc.)

Where: Uganda, Ghana, and other markets where MTN and Airtel operate mobile money.
For events: Support varies by platform. SoldOutAfrica and other Africa-focused platforms are adding or already support multiple mobile money options; check each provider’s coverage for your country.

Card and international

Many platforms also accept card (and sometimes PayPal or other methods) for international attendees or those who prefer not to use mobile money. Having both mobile money and card on the same event page gives you the widest reach.

How to choose a platform

Check your market — Which payment methods do your attendees actually use? (e.g. Kenya → M-Pesa; Uganda → MoMo / Airtel.)
Native vs workaround — Prefer a platform where mobile money is built in, not a patch. That usually means faster checkout and fewer failures.
Fees and payouts — Understand per-transaction fees and how quickly you get paid in local currency.

Get started

Sell tickets with M-Pesa and more on SoldOutAfrica.

For Kenya-specific setup, read How to accept M-Pesa for events. For a full comparison of platforms, see our guide to event ticketing in Kenya.