MoMo Charges in Rwanda 2026: Withdrawal Fees and the New Rwf 20 eKash Cap

Sending money in Rwanda just got a lot cheaper. Since July 2026, a transfer to a wallet or bank on a different network costs no more than Rwf 20, however much you send.

Cashing out is where the fees still bite. Withdrawing Rwf 10,000 from MTN MoMo costs Rwf 275, according to MTN Rwanda's MoMo tariff, while deposits are free. The full tables below were checked in October 2026.

MTN MoMo charges in Rwanda at a glance

What is the Rwf 20 eKash cap?

From 14 July 2026, the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) moved interoperable retail payments onto eKash, the national instant payment system run by RSwitch. Fees on eKash transfers are capped at Rwf 20 per transaction, regardless of the amount, for account-to-wallet, wallet-to-account, account-to-account and wallet-to-wallet transfers between participating banks and mobile money providers, as The Condia reported. Transfers of up to Rwf 10 million per transaction are allowed. Before the change, some interoperable transfers cost up to Rwf 5,000.

In practice, sending money from MTN MoMo to an Airtel Money number, or from your bank account to a mobile wallet, now costs at most Rwf 20.

Does the cap apply to MTN-to-MTN transfers?

That's the part that isn't settled publicly. MTN's published tariff still lists on-network fees above Rwf 20 (for example, Rwf 100 to send Rwf 1,001–10,000). As of 2 August 2026, a payments regulation monitor reported that MTN Mobile Money was the only major operator still applying person-to-person fees above the Rwf 20 ceiling, and that BNR had taken notice. Airtel Money was reported to be offering eligible person-to-person transfers at Rwf 0.

The MoMo confirmation screen shows the actual fee before you enter your PIN. If you're charged more than Rwf 20 for a transfer to another network or a bank, that's above the eKash cap; ask MTN why, and raise it with BNR's consumer protection team if it isn't resolved.

MTN MoMo send money charges (published table)

The off-net column predates eKash. Interoperable transfers to other networks now fall under the Rwf 20 cap.

MTN MoMo withdrawal charges in Rwanda

The eKash cap doesn't cover cash withdrawals. These are MTN's published agent withdrawal fees:

The band edges that cost the most

• Rwf 300,000 vs Rwf 300,001. Withdrawing Rwf 300,000 costs Rwf 3,000 (1%). Withdrawing one franc more costs Rwf 6,000 (2%).
• Rwf 150,000 vs Rwf 150,001. Rwf 2,000 against Rwf 3,000.
• Splitting can pay. Withdrawing Rwf 600,000 in one go costs Rwf 9,000. Two withdrawals of Rwf 300,000 cost Rwf 6,000 in total.
• Small withdrawals are expensive. Rwf 5,000 costs Rwf 250, which is 5%.

Other MTN MoMo fees in Rwanda

Link your bank account. Moving money between MoMo and a linked bank account is free, while an unlinked account costs Rwf 500 or more each way.

MoKash: savings interest and loan costs

MTN's MoKash savings and loans sit inside MoMo:

Moving money in and out of MoKash savings is free. The loans are expensive: a 9% fee for a 30-day loan, plus 9% more if you roll it over. That's far more than the 4%–8% a year your savings earn, so borrow only for real emergencies and repay on time.

How to pay less on MoMo in Rwanda

1. Send across networks through eKash. Transfers to other wallets and banks are capped at Rwf 20.
2. Link your bank account so MoMo-to-bank transfers are free.
3. Watch the withdrawal bands. Stay at Rwf 300,000 rather than going just over, and split withdrawals above Rwf 300,000 if it saves a band.
4. Pay merchants with MoMo Pay. The merchant pays the 0.5% collection fee; you don't pay a withdrawal fee at all.
5. Check the screen before your PIN. It shows the real fee.

Mistakes that cost you money on MoMo

• Old fee charts. Charts from before July 2026 show off-network transfers costing up to Rwf 5,000. Interoperable transfers are now capped at Rwf 20.
• Agents asking for cash. Withdrawal fees come out of your MoMo balance. An agent asking for extra cash is overcharging.
• MoKash loan rollovers. Each rollover adds 9% of what you still owe.
• PIN scams. MTN will never ask for your MoMo PIN. Check your balance before returning money someone says they "sent by mistake".

For comparison, Uganda's MTN MoMo charges a 0.5% government tax on withdrawals (MTN MoMo and Airtel Money charges in Uganda), and Tanzania's M-Pesa adds a levy on every withdrawal (M-Pesa Tanzania charges). For business payments across African borders, see how PAPSS settles in local currencies. More guides for Rwanda are on our Rwanda page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does MTN MoMo charge to withdraw Rwf 10,000 in Rwanda?

Rwf 275, according to MTN Rwanda's published tariff. Rwf 5,000 costs Rwf 250, and Rwf 100,000 costs Rwf 2,000.

What is the Rwf 20 eKash fee cap?

From 14 July 2026, the National Bank of Rwanda capped fees on interoperable transfers through eKash (between banks and mobile wallets, including across networks) at Rwf 20 per transaction, for amounts up to Rwf 10 million.

How much does it cost to send money from MTN to Airtel in Rwanda?

At most Rwf 20 through eKash since July 2026. MTN's older published table showed Rwf 100 to Rwf 5,000 for off-network transfers, which predates the cap.

Is depositing money on MTN MoMo free?

Yes. Deposits are free at every amount, as are airtime and prepaid electricity purchases and transfers to or from a linked bank account.

What interest does MoKash pay?

4% a year on balances up to Rwf 100,000, 5% up to Rwf 500,000 and 6% above that. MoKash lock savings pay 5% to 8% a year.

What is the maximum MoMo withdrawal in Rwanda?

MTN's withdrawal table goes up to Rwf 10 million, at a fee of Rwf 35,000 for Rwf 8–10 million.