M-PESA GO and Ziidi for teens: what parents should know
M-PESA GO is Safaricom’s M-PESA account for children under 18, linked to a parent or guardian. Teens can send and receive money, pay tills and Paybills and buy airtime, but they can’t withdraw cash, borrow on Fuliza or pay betting companies. Parents switch services on and off on *334#, and one parent can hold up to four GO accounts. Teens on M-PESA GO can also save in Ziidi, Safaricom’s money market fund, from KES 100.
- For under-18s, registered by a parent with the child’s birth certificate or passport.
- Blocked: cash withdrawals, Fuliza, M-Shwari, KCB M-PESA, betting and payments to political parties.
- Parents control it on *334#: switch services on or off, see balances and mini-statements.
- Up to four M-PESA GO accounts under one parent.
- Ziidi: from KES 100, interest-earning, but withdrawals can take a day and returns aren’t guaranteed.
What M-PESA GO is
M-PESA GO is an M-PESA account for children under 18 that’s tied to a parent or guardian’s own M-PESA. Safaricom’s FAQ describes registration for children aged 10 to 17. The child gets their own line and PIN, uses the GO app or the SIM menu, and the parent keeps control from their own phone.
How to register
- Online: if your child already has a Safaricom line, register it on the M-PESA GO portal and upload a clear copy of their birth certificate or passport.
- At a Safaricom shop or agent: buy a new line or convert an existing one, with the child’s original birth certificate or passport.
One parent can have up to four M-PESA GO accounts under their profile.
What teens can and can’t do
| Can do (if you switch it on) | Can’t do |
|---|---|
| Send and receive money | Withdraw cash (it needs an ID number) |
| Pay Paybills and Buy Goods tills | Use Fuliza, M-Shwari, KCB M-PESA or other loans |
| Buy airtime and bundles | Pay betting companies |
| Check their balance | Pay political parties |
Before converting a line, any existing loan has to be repaid and savings withdrawn.
What you control on *334#
From your own phone, dial *334# and go to the junior account menu to:
- switch individual services on or off, such as sending money or paying tills
- see your child’s balance and mini-statements
- add or remove junior accounts
- approve any reversal request (your consent is required)
Only you can request a SIM swap for the GO line, using your own details. That closes one of the most common fraud routes.
Limits and charges
Safaricom says normal M-PESA limits and charges apply to GO accounts. Receiving money and paying tills cost the teen nothing; sending money uses the normal send-money tariff. Because cash withdrawal is blocked, there are no withdrawal fees. Check Safaricom’s current tariff before you set expectations with your child.
Ziidi: saving that earns interest
Ziidi is Safaricom’s money market fund, approved by the Capital Markets Authority. Teens on M-PESA GO can opt in on their own phone by dialling *334#, choosing Financial services and then Ziidi.
- Minimum: KES 100.
- Returns: money market funds in Kenya paid roughly 8 to 12% a year through 2026. That’s before 15% withholding tax on the interest.
- Withdrawals: back to the M-PESA GO wallet, and they can take up to a day.
- Risk: low, but not zero, and returns aren’t guaranteed.
- What you see: Ziidi deposits and withdrawals show on the teen’s mini-statement, but the Ziidi balance itself is the teen’s to check.
Is your child ready for M-PESA GO?
Real money on a phone is a big step. Signs a child is ready:
- they’ve managed a weekly amount for a few months without running out every Tuesday
- they know never to share a PIN, and why
- they can spot a fake M-PESA message (see our scams guide)
- they ask before spending on things they’re unsure about
Practice first, then real money. In myKesho, children run a wallet with your approval on every spend, without any real money on their phone. Many families use that for a year or two, then move to M-PESA GO with the habits already in place.
Questions parents ask
What age can a child get M-PESA GO?
M-PESA GO is for children under 18, linked to a parent or guardian. Safaricom’s registration guidance refers to children aged 10 to 17.
Can a child withdraw cash on M-PESA GO?
No. Cash withdrawal needs an ID number, so it’s blocked on M-PESA GO. Teens can send money, pay tills and Paybills and buy airtime if the parent allows it.
Can my teenager bet on M-PESA GO?
No. Payments to betting companies are blocked on M-PESA GO, as are Fuliza and other loans.
Can children use Ziidi?
Yes. Teens on M-PESA GO can opt in to Ziidi on *334# and save from KES 100. Withdrawals go back to the GO wallet and can take up to a day.
How do I control my child’s M-PESA GO?
Dial *334# on your own phone and open the junior account menu. You can turn services on or off, view balances and statements, and approve reversals.
Lessons for your child
- PINs and codes are secret: Why your PIN and SMS codes are only for you
- A strange M‑Pesa message: Spot a fake “send it back” message
- Funds and shares, plain words: Money market funds, the NSE, and risk versus reward
More guides
- Money scams aimed at children and teens in Kenya
- Junior bank accounts in Kenya compared
- Piggy bank, bank account or app: where should your child’s money go?
Sources
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