WhatsApp to Start Charging Kenyan Businesses Ksh0.52 Per Message From October 1

Kenyan businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform will start paying for service messages from October 1, 2026, under a new pricing model introduced by Meta.

The company will charge businesses about $0.0040 (Ksh0.52) for each delivered utility message sent to a customer. The new charges will apply to businesses that use the WhatsApp Business Platform to communicate with customers at scale.

Meta will continue to provide businesses with the first 1,000 free service messages every month. Businesses will pay the Ksh0.52 charge for each delivered service message after using up the monthly free allowance.

The utility company charges businesses based on messages delivered to customers. It does not charge customers for messages they send to businesses.

WhatsApp Business Charges Apply to Utility Messages

Businesses commonly use utility messages to respond to customer requests, provide transaction updates, and offer other services after a customer interaction.

Meta said the new charges will apply to utility messages sent in response to users within an open 24-hour customer service window.

“From October 1, 2026, Meta will charge for utility messages sent in response to users within an open 24-hour customer service window. These messages have not been charged for since July 1, 2025,” the company said in a notice.

The 24-hour customer service window starts when a customer messages a business and resets whenever the customer sends another message.

Businesses can continue responding with service messages and utility messages without a charge while the customer service window remains open, according to the pricing information provided by WhatsApp Business.

Businesses Can Get Lower Rates

Meta also allows businesses to access lower prices as they send more utility and authentication messages.

Businesses automatically move into higher volume tiers as they reach the required message volumes for their particular market and category.

According to the pricing information, the higher tiers can reduce the applicable list rate by 5%, 10%, 15% or 20%, depending on the tier. The volume tiers are specific to each market and message category.

Free Entry Points Available

Businesses can also use what Meta calls free entry points. When a customer contacts a business through an advertisement that clicks to WhatsApp or through a Facebook Page action button, and the business responds within 24 hours, the interaction can open a 72-hour free entry-point window.

During these three days, template messages are not charged. The free entry-point window gives businesses another way to communicate with customers without incurring charges on eligible messages during that period.

Also Read:How to Advertise on WhatsApp Status and Reach More Customers

Businesses Face September 30 Deadline

Meta has also set a deadline for businesses and solution providers using the affected service. Businesses that do not have a payment method on file by September 30, 2026, risk having their service messages stopped once the new charges take effect.

“For any Solution Provider or directly-integrated businesses that does not have a payment method on file by September 30, 2026, Meta will stop delivering service messages as of when they become charged on October 1, 2026,” Meta stated.

The company has advised affected businesses to add a payment method to their WhatsApp Business Accounts before the deadline to avoid interruptions.

Also Read:How to Recover a Hacked WhatsApp Account: Step-by-Step Guide

New Costs for Businesses

The change will affect businesses that rely heavily on WhatsApp to communicate with customers. Many businesses use the platform to handle customer enquiries, process orders, provide transaction updates and support sales.

Under the new pricing model, businesses that send more than the free monthly allowance will need to include the additional messaging costs in their operating expenses.

Meta charges on a per-message basis, meaning a business sending different categories of messages can incur separate charges for each delivered message.

The company also uses different rates depending on the message category and the recipient’s country calling code.

Meta Sets Pricing Review Schedule

Meta has also outlined a pricing calendar for the WhatsApp Business Platform. The company may update its pricing four times a year, on the first day of January, April, July and October.

Meta said it will provide advance notice for pricing updates, with longer notice periods applying to major pricing-model changes.

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Photo of Meta office headquarters in California
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