Independent consultants and consultancies in Kenya usually run a Kenyan shilling business account at an established bank for client fees and expenses, and add a foreign currency account or a receiving service such as Payoneer when they invoice overseas clients. Low fees, clean invoicing, and reliable settlement matter most. Figures here are as of 30 November 2025.
Suits Consultants best
Depends on your clients; a low cost shilling account at an established bank, with Payoneer or a foreign currency account for overseas fees.
Typical monthly fee
Varies by bank; some shilling business accounts advertise no monthly maintenance fee, others charge a monthly fee. Verify current pricing.
Non resident position
A registered business or registered business name and a company KRA PIN are required for a business account. Foreign owned consultancies face enhanced checks. Verify with the provider.
Providers that fit
Three covered here
Fees and features as of 30 November 2025Last reviewed 30 November 2025
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
Consultants in Kenya usually run a Kenyan shilling business account at an established bank such as Equity Bank or Co-operative Bank for client fees and expenses, and add a receiving service such as Payoneer or a foreign currency account when they bill overseas clients. Compare account fees, foreign currency handling, and ease of invoicing. Information as of 30 November 2025, not advice.
What Consultants in Kenya need from a business account
Consultants need a simple, low cost business account that receives client fees, separates business from personal money, and supports clean invoicing and tax records. Many also bill clients abroad, so foreign currency handling matters. The common setup in Kenya is a shilling current account at an established bank, with a foreign currency account or a receiving service such as Payoneer for overseas fees, and M-Pesa for smaller local payments.
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Equity Bank
A widely used Kenyan business account with mobile and online banking, advertised with no monthly maintenance fee on some business accounts, suited to solo and small consultancies.
Best for
Consultants wanting a low cost shilling account
Monthly fee
No monthly maintenance fee advertised on some business accounts; verify current terms
An established bank offering shilling and foreign currency business accounts with branch, mobile, and online banking, suited to consultancies billing both local and overseas clients.
Best for
Consultants needing a foreign currency account
Monthly fee
Monthly and transaction charges set by account type; verify current tariff
A cross border receiving service that lets consultants collect fees from overseas clients and platforms and withdraw to a Kenyan bank account, with per transaction pricing rather than a local current account.
Best for
Consultants billing overseas clients
Monthly fee
Per transaction and withdrawal pricing; verify current pricing
The international business account providers we compare do not confirm an account for companies registered in Kenya as of 30 November 2025. The providers listed above serve this market: established Kenyan banks such as Equity Bank, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, KCB, and NCBA, alongside cross border receiving services such as Payoneer where they fit this business type. Confirm current terms with each provider before applying.
Questions about banking for Consultants in Kenya
What account does a consultant in Kenya need?
A consultant usually runs a Kenyan shilling business account at an established bank to separate business income and expenses, and adds a foreign currency account or a receiving service such as Payoneer when billing overseas clients. As of 30 November 2025, not advice.
Can a sole proprietor consultant open a business account in Kenya?
Yes. A sole proprietor with a registered business name and a KRA PIN can open a business account, subject to the bank checks. Requirements vary by bank. As of 30 November 2025, verify with the provider.
How do consultants in Kenya get paid by foreign clients?
Common routes are a foreign currency account at a Kenyan bank or a cross border receiving service such as Payoneer that collects fees and withdraws to a local shilling account. As of 30 November 2025, confirm fees and settlement timing with the provider.
What does a consultant pay in account fees in Kenya?
Fees depend on the bank and account type. Some shilling business accounts advertise no monthly maintenance fee, others charge a monthly fee, and transaction and foreign currency charges apply. As of 30 November 2025, confirm current pricing with each provider.
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 30 November 2025. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.