Why GoFundMe Is Not Accepted in Kenya – Understanding the Barriers to Crowdfunding

 In today’s digital world, crowdfunding has become a powerful tool for raising money, whether for personal emergencies, community projects, or social causes. One of the most popular platforms globally is GoFundMe, widely used in countries like the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. However, many Kenyans have noticed that GoFundMe is not available in Kenya. But why is this the case? Let’s break it down.

1. Limited Country Support by GoFundMe

GoFundMe only supports fundraising in select countries, mostly in North America and Western Europe. As of now, the platform allows campaign creation in only 19 countries. Unfortunately, Kenya and most African countries are not on that list.

This limitation is largely due to payment processing, banking infrastructure, and regulatory compliance. To operate in a country, GoFundMe needs to ensure secure, seamless payment transfers in and out of that country. Many African countries, including Kenya, have complex financial regulations, which makes it harder for foreign platforms to operate efficiently.

2. Payment Gateways and Currency Issues

GoFundMe primarily uses Stripe and PayPal for handling payments. While PayPal is available in Kenya, Stripe is not, and that creates a huge challenge. Without both payment gateways working hand-in-hand, GoFundMe cannot guarantee safe and reliable fund transfers.

Additionally, GoFundMe operates in USD, GBP, EUR, and a few other currencies. Kenyan Shillings (KES) are not supported, which complicates both fundraising and disbursement.

3. Fraud and Compliance Risks

Online fraud is a global issue, but some regions are considered high risk by international financial platforms. Kenya, while making major strides in digital finance, still struggles with online scams, identity theft, and money laundering risks. This makes foreign platforms extra cautious.

GoFundMe has strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules. If they can’t fully verify identities or trace funds according to their standards, they avoid operating in such regions altogether to avoid legal issues.

4. Alternative Platforms in Kenya

Although GoFundMe is not available, Kenyans are not left without options. Local and regional platforms like:

M-Changa

Airfunding

StartSomeGood

Fundly

Asilimia (for small businesses)

…have stepped in to fill the gap. These platforms support mobile money like M-Pesa, making them more practical and accessible for Kenyan users.

5. How Kenyans Still Use GoFundMe (Through Diaspora)

Interestingly, many Kenyans still benefit from GoFundMe – but only indirectly. Usually, a relative or friend in the USA, UK, or Canada creates a campaign on their behalf, collects donations, and then sends the money back home via Western Union, WorldRemit, or bank transfer.

This workaround shows the high demand for crowdfunding – and also the need for more locally adapted platforms that can build trust, transparency, and convenience for African users.

Final Thoughts

The absence of GoFundMe in Kenya is not a rejection of Kenyans, but rather a result of technical, regulatory, and risk-based limitations. As Kenya continues to modernize its financial systems, there's hope that global platforms like GoFundMe might one day include us. In the meantime, we must support and strengthen homegrown solutions that understand our unique needs.