---
title: "Initialize transaction"
method: POST
path: "/v1/transactions/initialize"
tags: ["Transactions"]
---

# Initialize transaction

`POST /v1/transactions/initialize`

## Request

- Base URL: `https://api.kyshi.co`
- URL: `https://api.kyshi.co/v1/transactions/initialize`
- Auth: API key in header `x-api-key`
- TypeScript: <https://skmtc.dev/kyshi/apis/kyshi-mor-public-api/docs/v1/transactions/initialize/post.ts> (a function with typed inputs; its response is checked against the schema)

Creates a pending transaction and returns a hosted checkout URL. A 201 means the request was accepted, not that the customer has paid: verify before releasing value.

## Request body

- InitiatePaymentDto
  - `email` string, required
  - `firstName` string, required
  - `lastName` string, required
  - `phoneNumber` string, required
  - `localCurrency` 'NGN' | 'KES' | 'ZAR' | 'GHS' | 'XOF' | 'USD', required
  - `reference` string, required
  - `channels` string[], required
  - `amount` number, required
  - `amountCurrency` 'settlement' | 'local': How to interpret 'amount'. Defaults to 'settlement' for backward compatibility.
  - `metadata` object, required
  - `redirectUrl` string, required
  - `feeBearer` 'MERCHANT' | 'CUSTOMER', required
  - `taxChargeable` 'INCLUSIVE' | 'EXCLUSIVE', required
  - `chargeType` 'BANK_TRANSFER', required
  - `expiresAt` string, required

## Response `201`

Success.

- object
  - `status` boolean, required: `true` on success.
  - `message` string, required
  - `code` number, required: Mirrors the HTTP status code.
  - `data` object, required: The endpoint-specific payload.
    - `authorizationUrl` string, required
    - `accessCode` string, required
    - `reference` string, required
    - `hostedCheckout` boolean
    - `provider` 'PROVIDUS_BANK' | 'STERLING' | 'VFD' | 'PAYSTACK' | 'FLUTTERWAVE' | 'CHOICE' | 'STITCH' | 'PAGA' | 'STRIPE' | 'ASSET_MFB' | 'MOMENTPAY' | 'PAWAPAY'
    - `rate` number
    - `feeBreakdown` PublicFeeBreakdownDto
      - `fee` number, required
      - `vat` number, required
      - `processorFee` number, required
      - `stampDuty` number, required
      - `allInclusiveKyshiFee` number, required
      - `totalFees` number, required
      - `others` object, required

## Other responses

- `400`: Missing or invalid request parameter.
- `401`: No valid API key provided.
- `403`: The API key lacks permission for this request.
- `404`: Resource not found. A 404 on an object you just created is usually a test/live mode mismatch.
- `422`: Business rule failure, such as an unsupported currency or insufficient balance.
- `500`: Something went wrong on Kyshi’s end.

## Changes

- **2026-11-03** `4aed77604588`: 11 breaking, 10 info
  - added the new required request property `chargeType`
  - added the new required request property `expiresAt`
  - the request property `channels` became required
  - the request property `feeBearer` became required
  - …17 more

[Operation history](https://skmtc.dev/kyshi/apis/kyshi-mor-public-api/changes/v1/transactions/initialize/post.md)

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/kyshi/apis/kyshi-mor-public-api.md) - [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/kyshi/apis/kyshi-mor-public-api/llms.txt) - [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc.dev/kyshi/apis/kyshi-mor-public-api/revisions/4aed77604588?raw)