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Legal

Escrow Terms

The rules for how Escrow Safe Trade holds, releases and returns money between buyers and sellers.

Last updated: 28 October 2026 · Applies to users in Kenya and across Africa · Version [1.0]

Template: not legal advice. This document is a starting template drafted with Kenyan law and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) payments framework in mind. It must be reviewed and adapted by a qualified Kenyan advocate before you publish or rely on it. Replace every [bracketed placeholder], confirm licensing statements and check each statutory reference against the current law.

1. What Escrow Safe Trade is

Escrow Safe Trade lets a buyer pay into a protected balance that the seller cannot access until agreed conditions are met. These Escrow Terms supplement the Terms of Service and apply to every escrow created through Paysasa. Escrow is a payment-holding service. Paysasa is not a party to the underlying sale and does not guarantee the quality, safety or legality of any goods or services.

2. Parties and roles

The “buyer” funds the trade and the “seller” delivers. Both must have verified accounts at the level required for the trade size. Each party confirms they are acting for themselves or with authority for their business.

3. Creating a trade

The seller or buyer creates a trade with the description, price, delivery or milestone dates and any inspection period. The other party must accept the terms before funding. Once funded, terms can only be changed if both parties agree in the app.

4. Holding funds

Funded amounts are held [in a segregated trust account at a licensed Kenyan bank / by our CBK-authorised partner] and are shown as “held in escrow”. Held funds are not available to either party and do not earn interest. They are separate from Paysasa’s own funds.

5. Release of funds

Funds are released to the seller when: (a) the buyer confirms delivery or approves a milestone; (b) the inspection period ends without a dispute ([3] days by default); (c) both parties agree; or (d) Paysasa decides a dispute in the seller’s favour. Funds are returned to the buyer if the trade is cancelled by agreement, the seller does not deliver by the deadline, or a dispute is decided in the buyer’s favour.

6. Disputes

Either party may raise a dispute before release. Both must provide evidence (messages, delivery proof, photos, receipts) within [5] working days. Paysasa reviews the evidence and decides based on the agreed terms. Our decision is a payment decision only and does not stop either party from seeking a remedy in court or other proceedings. Where a court order or lawful request requires, we may hold or move funds accordingly.

7. Fees

Escrow fees are shown by tier before you create a trade, and who pays them (buyer, seller or split) is chosen when the trade is created. Fees are not refunded when a trade is cancelled after funds were held, unless we state otherwise. See pricing.

8. What escrow does not cover

Escrow cannot be used for prohibited items under the Acceptable Use Policy, and does not cover losses from items you chose to accept, changes made outside the app, or deals completed off-platform. Real estate, vehicles and other regulated assets may need extra documents or professional advisers. [Lawyer to review for regulated assets.]

9. Limits and timing

Escrow limits depend on your verification level and tier. Funds usually become available within [one business day] of release, subject to the payout method.

10. Law and contact

These terms are governed by the laws of Kenya. For escrow help, email [email protected].