How To Use Stripe In Kenya In 2023 (A Comprehensive Guide)
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As a freelancer or an ecommerce store owner in Kenya, you will need Stripe to receive payment from international clients or customers. Having this in mind, the questions that often come to mind are: Is Stripe available in Kenya? Does Stripe work in Kenya? Can I use Stripe in Kenya? How do I create a Stripe account in Kenya?
In this blog post, I will be answering the above questions and in the end, you might just be able to have a working Stripe account as a Kenyan Citizen.
Is Stripe Available In Kenya?
Yes, Stripe is available in Kenya as long you form a US or UK company. The process is easy and you don’t need to live in the United States or United Kingdom.
Does Stripe Work In Kenya?
Yes, Stripe work in Kenya if you follow the right procedures to open a verified account. In this post, you will be shown all the required steps to get a stripe account in Kenya.
Can I use Stripe In Kenya?
You can use Stripe in Kenya to start receiving payments globally if you have all the required documents. I will guide you through the step-by-step processes to set up a stripe account in Kenya.
Stripe Supported Countries
At the time of publishing this post, there are only 46 Stripe supported countries. Below is the list of the 46 countries where Stripe is supported.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia – Invite only
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
You might be wondering how I am saying you can use Stripe in Kenya when it is not listed among the supported countries.
I am not here to deceive you or waste your time. There are many Kenyan entrepreneurs using Stripe to receive payment from any part of the world. There is a legitimate process to go about setting up a Stripe account in Kenya. So let’s talk about the processes.
Requirements To Open A Stripe Account In Kenya
If you can have all the requirements that I am about to discuss, then you are good to go in creating a stripe account in Kenya online.
1. Open a US or Uk company
No need for fear. It is very possible to open a foreign company as a non-resident. A lot of people who have a US or Uk company while living in their home country still conduct business using their registered company.
I am more familiar with US company formation so I will recommend forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company) in the US. There are a lot of benefits of forming an LLC, talking much about it will be beyond the scope of the article.
Nevertheless, by the end of the post, you should be able to form your LLC right from Kenya and without the assistance of a legal professional.
2. Get an EIN
EIN means Employer Identification Number. It is like an alternative to social security number (SSN). Since you are forming an LLC in the United States, it is required for every business to have an EIN.
It is easy to get an EIN once you are registered with your LLC. By the end of the post, you should know how to get your EIN without difficulty.
3. Get a US House Address
Could this really be possible? Yes, it is easy to get a US address in less than 5 minutes if your internet is fast. There are many services out there that provide people with a US physical address.
Some are free and other is paid. For the free one, you can use Shipito to open a US address. They will give a California address. You will need that in the LLC formation process.
3. Get a US House Phone Number
Could this be another obstacle? Not at all! It is very possible to get a working US phone number while in Kenya. You can use Dingtone. Visit Google Play or your ios store and download the app.
4. Get a US Bank Account
There are so many financial institutions that offer a US bank to freelancers and entrepreneurs. The most popular one is Payoneer. With Payoneer, you can open an individual US bank account.
Why do you need a US bank account? You will use it to move money from your Stripe account to your Kenya bank account. Aside from that it is a requirement for opening a Stripe account.
These are the requirements for opening a Stripe account from Kenya using your computer.
In summary, the requirements to safely open a stripe account in Kenya are:
- A Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the US
- An EIN (Employer Identification Number) or Tax ID
- A Personal US physical address
- A US phone number
- A US bank Account
How To Use Stripe In Kenya
Kenya is not listed as Stripe supported country, logically is conclusive to say it is an unsupported country. Therefore, to use Stripe in Kenya, you will need to follow the procedures used in opening a Stripe account in unsupported countries.
If everything I have explained is clear and easy for you to comprehend, you can proceed to the main page on how to open a stripe account in Kenya as an Unsupported country.
FAQs: How To Use Stripe In Kenya
What Is Stripe And How Does It Work In Kenya?
Stripe is a widely used online payment platform that enables businesses to accept payments securely over the internet. In Kenya, Stripe provides a convenient and reliable way for businesses to process online transactions – if you have a verified account.
Can I Use Stripe In Kenya To Accept Payments From Customers Worldwide?
Yes, with Stripe, you can accept payments from customers all around the world, including Kenya – if your account is verified. Stripe supports international payments and allows businesses to receive funds from various countries.
How Do I Sign Up For Stripe In Kenya?
To sign up for Stripe in Kenya, you must have all the requirements to open a Stripe account. If you have these requirements, visit the Stripe website and create an account. Provide the necessary details about your business, such as company name, address, and banking information. Once your account is set up, you can start integrating Stripe into your website or app.
What Currencies Does Stripe Support In Kenya?
Stripe supports a wide range of currencies in Kenya, including the Kenyan Shilling (KES), US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), British Pound (GBP), and many more. You can choose the currency that suits your business needs.
How Can I Integrate Stripe Into My Website Or App In Kenya?
Stripe provides comprehensive documentation and developer tools to help you integrate their payment system into your website or app. You can find detailed instructions, APIs, and plugins on the Stripe website to guide you through the integration process.
Are There Any Fees Associated With Using Stripe In Kenya?
Yes, Stripe charges transaction fees for each successful payment. The fees may vary depending on factors such as the currency used and the type of transaction (e.g., local or international). You can find detailed information about Stripe’s pricing structure on their website.
What Are The Security Measures Taken By Stripe In Kenya?
Stripe prioritizes security and employs various measures to protect your business and customer data. They utilize encryption, fraud detection algorithms, and follow strict PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance guidelines to ensure the safety of transactions.
Can I Use Stripe For Recurring Payments Or Subscriptions In Kenya?
Yes, Stripe offers features to handle recurring payments and subscription-based services. It provides APIs and tools to manage subscriptions, billing cycles, and customer renewals. This functionality can be useful for businesses offering subscription-based products or services.
How Long Does It Take For Funds To Be Deposited Into My Kenyan Bank Account With Stripe?
The time it takes for funds to reach your Kenyan bank account depends on various factors, such as your bank’s processing times and the payment method used. Generally, it takes 2-7 business days for funds to be deposited into your account.
What Customer Support Options Are Available For Stripe Users In Kenya?
Stripe provides customer support through various channels, including email and live chat. You can reach out to their support team for assistance with technical issues, account-related inquiries, or any other questions you may have regarding using Stripe in Kenya.
