The short answer
To send money to Kenya from the UAE, buy USDC or USDT with UAE dirhams on a regulated exchange, withdraw it on the Avalanche C-Chain network to your recipient's AutoPayKe address, and they withdraw Kenyan shillings to M-Pesa or any of 40 Kenyan banks. They see the exact amount and fee before confirming.
Kenyans working in the Gulf send home a growing share of Kenya's remittances, and the UAE is one of the main hubs.
Which stablecoin to buy from the UAE
USDC and USDT are both available from licensed UAE exchanges. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so the conversion to a dollar stablecoin is predictable.
Step by step
- 1
Your recipient opens a free AutoPayKe account
They sign up at autopayke.com with their Kenyan phone number and a 6-digit code. A wallet only they control is created automatically, no bank account, no paperwork beyond basic details.
- 2
They share their AutoPayKe address with you
In the app they open Receive and copy their wallet address (it starts with 0x). This is where you'll send the money. You can also send to an address of your own if you have an AutoPayKe account.
- 3
Buy USDC or USDT where you live
On an exchange you trust in your country, buy USDC (or USDT where it's allowed) with your local currency. One USDC is designed to be worth one US dollar.
- 4
Withdraw it on the Avalanche C-Chain network
Send the USDC to your recipient's address and choose Avalanche C-Chain (sometimes shown as AVAX C-Chain) as the network. Sending on any other network means the money won't arrive. Try a small amount first.
- 5
They cash out to M-Pesa or their bank
The money appears in their AutoPayKe balance. They withdraw to their M-Pesa number, to someone else's, or to any of 40 Kenyan banks and SACCOs, seeing the exact Kenyan shilling amount and fee before they confirm.
What it costs
- Your exchange: its fee to convert AED into USDC or USDT and to withdraw it. Check before you buy.
- AutoPayKe: a disclosed cash-out fee when the money leaves for M-Pesa, a bank or a Till, with the shilling rate shown on the review screen.
- No receiving-bank fees and no correspondent banks in the middle.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send money to Kenya from the UAE?
Buy USDC or USDT with UAE dirhams on an exchange you trust, withdraw it on the Avalanche C-Chain network to your recipient's AutoPayKe address, and they cash it out to M-Pesa or a Kenyan bank in shillings.
How long does it take from the UAE?
The transfer on Avalanche confirms in seconds. Once it reaches your recipient's balance, an M-Pesa cash-out usually completes within minutes, at any time of day. Your exchange may take its own time to process the purchase.
What does it cost to send money to Kenya from the UAE?
You pay your exchange to convert AED into a dollar stablecoin and withdraw it, then a disclosed AutoPayKe cash-out fee when the money goes to M-Pesa or a bank. Your recipient sees the exact shilling amount before they confirm.
Can I send money to M-Pesa from Dubai?
Yes. Buy USDC or USDT on a licensed UAE exchange, withdraw it on the Avalanche C-Chain network to your recipient's AutoPayKe address, and they cash it out to M-Pesa in Kenyan shillings.
Does my recipient in Kenya need a bank account?
No. Their Kenyan phone number is their account, and the money can go straight to M-Pesa. If they have a bank account, they can withdraw to any of 40 Kenyan banks and SACCOs too.