How are mobile money fees calculated in Zambia? Example.

Example: Sending K2,000 same-network on Airtel Money in 2026. The network fee is K1.00 (for the K1,001-K3,000 transaction band). The government levy adds K2.00 (same band). Total transaction cost is K3.00. The recipient receives the full K2,000 - all fees are deducted from the sender's wallet, totalling K2,003.00.

Mobile Money Calculator

Calculate sending and withdrawal fees across all Zambian networks.

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Mobile Money Fees

2026 Government Levy Bands

Transaction Amount	Fixed Levy
K 0 – K 150	K 0.32
K 150 – K 300	K 0.40
K 300 – K 500	K 0.80
K 500 – K 1,000	K 2.00
K 1,000 – K 3,000	K 4.00
K 3,000 – K 5,000	K 7.50
K 5,000 – K 10,000	K 8.00
Above K 10,000	K 8.00

Same-Network Send Fees

Amount	Airtel	MTN
K 0 – K 150	K 0.42	K 0.42
K 150 – K 300	K 0.90	K 0.90
K 300 – K 500	K 0.80	K 0.80
K 500 – K 1,000	K 1.00	K 1.00
K 1,000 – K 3,000	K 2.00	K 2.20
K 3,000 – K 5,000	K 3.00	K 3.00
K 5,000 – K 10,000	K 4.00	K 4.00

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to send K1,000 on Airtel Money or MTN MoMo?

For a same-network send of K1,000 in 2026: Airtel Money charges K1.00 and MTN MoMo charges K1.00 in network fees. The government levy adds K2.00, bringing totals to K3.00 (Airtel) and K3.00 (MTN).

What is the government levy on mobile money transactions?

The Mobile Money Transaction Levy (Amendment) Act of 2025, effective 4 January 2026, imposes a fixed levy on same-network and cross-network sends. For example, sending K1,000–K3,000 attracts a levy of K2.00. The levy does NOT apply to bank transfers or cash withdrawals.

How much does it cost to withdraw K500 from Airtel Money or MTN MoMo?

Withdrawing K500 at an agent costs K10.00 on Airtel Money and K10.00 on MTN MoMo. No government levy applies to withdrawals.

Is it cheaper to send money to a bank or to another mobile wallet?

Wallet-to-bank transfers generally cost more than same-network sends but carry no government levy. Cross-network sends attract both a higher network fee and the levy, making them the most expensive option. Use this calculator to compare all three side-by-side for any amount.

Which mobile money network is cheapest for sending money in Zambia?

For same-network sends, ZedMobile offers the lowest fees - transactions up to K50 are free. Zamtel Kwacha is free for amounts under K150. Airtel and MTN have very similar same-network fee schedules. The cheapest option depends on your amount and whether both parties are on the same network.

What are the mobile money transaction limits in Zambia?

Transaction limits vary by provider and KYC level. Standard registered users on Airtel and MTN can typically send up to K10,000 per transaction with daily limits of K20,000-K50,000. Enhanced KYC raises these limits. Check with your provider for your current tier.

How are mobile money fees calculated? Show me an example.

Example: Sending K2,000 same-network on Airtel Money. Network fee: K1.00 (K1,001-K3,000 band). Government levy: K2.00 (K1,001-K3,000 band). Total cost: K3.00. Recipient receives K2,000 - you pay K2,003.00 total from your wallet.

Learn

All Posts

Understanding the Government Levy

How the 2025 Mobile Money Transaction Levy works, which transactions are affected, and how to minimise your costs.

Read Guide

Comparing Mobile Money Networks

A breakdown of Airtel, MTN, Zamtel, and ZedMobile fee structures side-by-side for common transaction amounts.

Compare Networks

Cross-Network vs Same-Network Sends

Why cross-network transfers cost significantly more and when it makes sense to use a bank transfer instead.

Learn More

View All Posts

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Sources

#	Issuer	Description
1	Airtel	Airtel Money Tariffs Official Airtel Money fee schedule for send, withdraw, and pay transactions.	View
2	MTN	MoMo Fee Schedule Official MTN Mobile Money transaction fees and limits.	View
3	BoZ	Mobile Money Regulations Central bank guidelines governing mobile money service providers.	View

Zamcalc results are estimates only. Figures are based on publicly sourced rates from official Zambian authorities (ZRA, NAPSA, NHIMA, ZESCO, ERB, HELSB, BoZ and others) and are updated when laws or tariffs change. They should not be treated as professional tax, financial, or legal advice. Always verify with your employer, the relevant authority, or a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Zamcalc is not liable for any action taken based on these results.