Zamtel Kwacha fee calculator
This Zamtel Kwacha fee calculator works out exactly what you’ll pay to send money, withdraw cash, or pay bills using Zamtel Mobile Money in Zambia, including the government Mobile Money Transaction Levy where it applies. Pick a transaction type, enter an amount, and see the full cost breakdown using Zamtel’s official tariff bands.
Zamtel Kwacha Fee Calculator
Sending to another registered Zamtel Mobile Money customer. Includes Zamtel’s service fee plus the government levy.
| Amount to Send (ZMW) |
Sending to a mobile number that isn’t registered for Zamtel Mobile Money costs more than sending to a registered user.
| Amount to Send (ZMW) |
Cash withdrawals at a Zamtel agent are not subject to the government levy — you only pay Zamtel’s withdrawal fee.
| Amount to Withdraw (ZMW) |
Paying bills such as ZESCO, DSTV, GOtv, or Box Office through Zamtel Mobile Money. No government levy applies to bill payments.
| Bill Amount (ZMW) |
Official Zamtel Mobile Money tariff bands, plus the government Mobile Money Transaction Levy that applies to sends.
| Amount Range | Send (Registered) | Send (Unregistered) | Withdrawal | Bill Payment | Govt Levy* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K5 – K150 | K0.20 | K5.00 | K2.50 | K0.50 | K0.32 |
| K151 – K300 | K0.50 | K10.00 | K5.00 | K0.75 | K0.40 |
| K301 – K600 | K0.80 | K15.00 | K10.00 | K1.25 | K0.80 / K2.00 |
| K601 – K1,200 | K1.00 | K25.00 | K20.00 | K1.75 | K2.00 / K4.00 |
| K1,201 – K5,000 | K2.00 | K35.00 | K30.00 | K1.75 | K4.00 / K7.50 |
| K5,001 – K8,000 | K4.00 | K48.00 | K30.00 | K2.50 | K7.50 / K8.00 |
| K8,001 – K12,000 | K5.00 | K72.00 | K30.00 | K2.50 | K8.00 |
| K12,001 – K15,000 | K6.00 | K90.00 | K30.00 | K2.50 | K8.00 |
| K15,001 – K20,000 | K8.00 | K120.00 | K30.00 | K2.50 | K8.00 |
About This Calculator
This calculator estimates Zamtel Mobile Money (Zamtel Kwacha) charges in Zambia for sending money to registered and unregistered customers, cash withdrawals at an agent, and bill payments. It also applies the government Mobile Money Transaction Levy where it’s due. If you transact across networks, our MTN MoMo Fee Calculator and Airtel Money Fee Calculator use comparable structures so you can check all three side by side.
The Government Mobile Money Levy
Zambia introduced a Mobile Money Transaction Levy in January 2025, and the rates were doubled from 1 January 2026 under an amendment act. The levy applies to person-to-person sends across all providers — Zamtel, MTN, Airtel, and ZedMobile — but it is not charged on withdrawals or bill payments.
| Transaction Amount | Levy |
|---|---|
| K0 – K150 | K0.32 |
| K150.01 – K300 | K0.40 |
| K300.01 – K500 | K0.80 |
| K500.01 – K1,000 | K2.00 |
| K1,000.01 – K3,000 | K4.00 |
| K3,000.01 – K5,000 | K7.50 |
| K5,000.01 – K10,000 | K8.00 |
How Zamtel’s Fee Bands Work
Zamtel charges fixed fees within set amount bands rather than a flat percentage. Deposits, airtime top-up, and account admin actions like PIN changes are free, while sends, withdrawals, and bill payments each have their own separate fee table. The government levy uses its own band thresholds, which don’t always line up exactly with Zamtel’s bands, so a transaction can sit in one Zamtel fee band but a different levy band.
Calculation Formula
Send to Unregistered User: Total Cost = Zamtel Unregistered Send Fee + Govt Levy
Withdrawal: Total Cost = Zamtel Withdrawal Fee (no levy)
Bill Payment: Total Cost = Zamtel Bill Payment Fee (no levy)
Worked Example
Zamtel send fee (K601–K1,200 band): K1.00
Government levy (K500.01–K1,000 band): K2.00
Total cost = K3.00 — recipient still receives the full K1,000
Sending the same K1,000 to an unregistered number would cost K25.00 in Zamtel fees alone, plus the same K2.00 levy.
Tips to Reduce Mobile Money Costs
- Encourage anyone you send money to regularly to register for Zamtel Mobile Money, since registered transfers cost a fraction of unregistered ones
- Use Zamtel Mobile Money for ZESCO, DSTV, or GOtv bill payments where the fee is low and there’s no government levy
- Withdraw only what you need at a time, since the withdrawal fee caps out at K30 once you’re above K1,201, regardless of how much higher you go
- Compare the cost of a same-network send against MTN or Airtel for the same amount using our MTN MoMo and Airtel Money calculators before choosing where to send
- If you’re saving toward a goal rather than moving money around frequently, track it with our Savings Goal Calculator instead
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the recipient pay any fee?
No. The recipient receives the full amount sent. All fees and the government levy are deducted from the sender’s wallet balance.
Is the levy charged on withdrawals or bill payments?
No. The Mobile Money Transaction Levy only applies to person-to-person send transactions. Withdrawals, deposits, airtime top-up, and bill payments are exempt from the levy, though Zamtel’s own service fee still applies where one exists.
Can Zamtel Mobile Money send to other networks?
Zamtel Mobile Money does not operate across networks for receiving, but registered Zamtel customers can send money to subscribers on other networks; the recipient gets a code to collect the cash at an agent outlet.
Why is sending to an unregistered number so much more expensive?
Unregistered transfers require the agent network to verify and pay out the cash using a code rather than crediting an existing wallet, which carries higher handling costs that are reflected in the fee.
Is this calculator official?
No. This is an independent estimation tool based on Zamtel’s published tariff guide. For the official, current Zamtel Mobile Money fee schedule, contact Zamtel directly or visit an authorised outlet.
This Zamtel Kwacha fee calculator is provided for informational and planning purposes only. Fees are set by Zamtel and the government mobile money levy is set by the Government of the Republic of Zambia; both are subject to change. Always verify current charges with Zamtel before making financial decisions. This tool does not constitute official billing advice.