Orange Money and MTN MoMo Charges in Liberia 2026: The 2% Cash-Out Rule

Mobile money cash-out in Liberia costs 2% of the amount on every network, in both US dollars and Liberian dollars. The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) set that standard fee for all mobile money providers from 1 August 2025. Withdrawing US$100 costs US$2, and withdrawing L$10,000 costs L$200. Orange Money charges nothing to send money to another Orange Money user, and deposits are free on both Orange Money and Lonestar Cell MTN MoMo. Checked in October 2026.

Mobile money charges in Liberia at a glance

Sources: CBL's August 2025 announcement, Orange Money Liberia's services page and Lonestar Cell MTN's MoMo tariff page.

The 2% cash-out rule: what the Central Bank decided

On 4 August 2025, the Central Bank of Liberia announced Directive No. 1 of 2025, its Mobile Money Cash Out Pricing Policy. Under it, "all mobile money providers are required to apply a cash-out fee of 2% for withdrawals made through their platforms", effective from 1 August 2025.

What that means for you:

• Every network charges the same. Orange Money and Lonestar Cell MTN MoMo both apply 2% to cash-outs, whether you withdraw at an agent or through your wallet.
• It applies in both currencies. A US dollar withdrawal costs 2% in US dollars; a Liberian dollar withdrawal costs 2% in Liberian dollars.
• It's a floor. The CBL describes it as "a minimum fee of 2%", so no provider may charge less.
• Digital payments stay cheap. The CBL's stated aim is to move people from cash to digital payments: buying goods, paying bills and sending money.

Cash-out costs at common amounts

What changed in 2025

Before August 2025, fees varied. Orange Money had cut its withdrawal fee to 1% in June 2025, and its older tariff table charged tiered fees: a flat L$50 to withdraw up to L$400, for example. Since 1 August 2025, the 2% CBL standard replaces those. Orange's "affordable tariffs" page still shows the old tiered table; its services page shows the current "2% on all withdrawals".

For small withdrawals, the change made cash-out much cheaper: withdrawing L$400 used to cost L$50 under Orange's old table and now costs L$8. For large withdrawals it costs more: the old table charged 0.8% above L$35,000.

Orange Money Liberia charges

According to Orange's services page:

• Sending to another Orange Money user: free
• Cash-out: 2% on all withdrawals
• Deposit and registration: free
• Buying LEC electricity tokens: free
• Transfers between Orange Money and linked UBA, Ecobank, LBDI or GT Bank accounts: free. Dial *144*17# for USD or *144*26# for LRD.
• Currency conversion: Orange Money lets you convert between USD and LRD at the CBL-regulated rate.
• International remittances: you can receive money from abroad into your Orange Money wallet.

Dial *144# for the Orange Money menu.

Lonestar Cell MTN MoMo charges

Lonestar Cell MTN's MoMo tariff page lists these services as free: deposits, opening a MoMo account, PIN changes, balance checks, mini-statements and buying airtime and bundles. All charges are taken from your MoMo wallet, in USD or LRD.

Cash-out follows the CBL's 2% standard. MTN Liberia's published tariff link currently points to the wrong document (another country's table in another currency), so we couldn't verify MoMo's send fees from an official source. The fee shows on your screen before you enter your PIN; check it there.

Lonestar warns customers: "Do not pay the agent any transaction or registration fees." The fee comes out of your wallet automatically.

How to pay less with the 2% rule

Because the fee is a flat percentage, splitting a withdrawal doesn't change what you pay: two withdrawals of US$50 cost the same as one of US$100. What saves money is not cashing out at all:

1. Pay merchants straight from your wallet. Buying goods and paying bills digitally avoids the 2%.
2. Send instead of withdrawing and handing over cash. Orange Money to Orange Money transfers are free.
3. Move money to your bank for free if it's linked to Orange Money, then use your bank card for purchases.
4. Don't convert twice. If you're paid in USD and spend in USD, keep it in the USD wallet. Converting to LRD and back costs you twice.

What sending cash really costs. Say your sister in Gbarnga needs US$100 in cash. If you send it from your Orange Money wallet to hers, the transfer is free, but she pays US$2 to cash it out, so send about US$102 if you want her to have US$100 in hand.

Receiving money from abroad

Many Liberians receive remittances from relatives in the US. The cost has three parts: the remittance service's fee, its exchange rate margin, and the 2% cash-out fee if the money lands in a mobile wallet and is withdrawn. Compare the total; our guide to the cheapest ways to send money to Africa from the UK or US explains how to compare services. We compared live US quotes in our guide to the cheapest way to send money to Liberia.

What to watch out for

• Old tariff screenshots. Charts from before August 2025 show 1% or tiered withdrawal fees. The CBL standard since 1 August 2025 is 2%.
• Agents asking for extra. The 2% is taken from your wallet. An agent asking for cash on top is overcharging.
• USD vs LRD mix-ups. Make sure you're sending from the right wallet. A US$100 transfer sent from the LRD wallet by mistake is a very different amount.
• PIN and reversal scams. No Orange or MTN staff will ask for your PIN. Check your real balance before you return money someone says they sent "by mistake".

Orange Money's pricing differs by country: in Sierra Leone, sending on Afrimoney is free but cash-out fees carry 15% GST (Afrimoney and Orange Money charges in Sierra Leone), and in Cameroon, MTN and Orange charge only a 0.2% tax on transfers (MTN MoMo and Orange Money charges in Cameroon). If you're paid by salary, our guide to LRA income tax in Liberia shows what payroll tax and NASSCORP take first. More Liberia guides are on our Liberia page.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Orange Money cash-out fee in Liberia?

2% of the amount, on all withdrawals, in USD or LRD. Withdrawing US$100 costs US$2. This follows the Central Bank of Liberia's standard cash-out fee, in force since 1 August 2025.

Is the 2% cash-out fee the same on MTN MoMo?

Yes. The CBL requires all mobile money providers in Liberia to charge 2% on cash-outs, so Lonestar Cell MTN MoMo and Orange Money charge the same.

Is it free to send money on Orange Money Liberia?

Yes. Orange says sending money to another registered Orange Money customer is free. Deposits and transfers to or from linked bank accounts are also free.

Why did mobile money cash-out fees change in Liberia?

The Central Bank of Liberia set a standard 2% cash-out fee from 1 August 2025 to make pricing consistent across providers and encourage people to pay digitally instead of withdrawing cash.

How much does it cost to withdraw L$1,000 on mobile money?

L$20, which is 2% of L$1,000. Withdrawing L$10,000 costs L$200.

What is the Orange Money Liberia code?

Dial *144# for the Orange Money menu. For bank transfers, use *144*17# (USD) or *144*26# (LRD).