Businesspeople, especially those running retail shops, supermarkets, and restaurants, may want to receive payments from customers via M-PESA, particularly when customers do not have cash and prefer to make electronic payments.
Safaricom offers an option through Lipa na M-PESA, allowing customers to pay for goods and services using either a Paybill number or a Till number.
To access these services, business owners must apply for either a Lipa na M-PESA Business Till or a Paybill Number. This article explains how to register and apply for both.
Eligibility Requirements for Starting an M-PESA Business
Before applying, ensure you have:
- A registered business (sole proprietorship, partnership, or company) with a valid Certificate of Registration or Business Permit from the county government.
- A valid Kenyan ID, Passport, or other government-issued ID for the business owner or authorized signatory.
- A business bank account (provide a canceled cheque or a bank letter confirming account details for fund settlements).
- A registered Safaricom SIM card in the business owner’s name (for notifications and account management).
Also Read: Safaricom Issues Update On Nationwide M-Pesa Outage
- A valid email address (for statements and verification).
- (Optional but recommended) A physical business location and proof of operations (e.g., photos or a lease agreement).
If you meet these requirements, you can proceed to apply for an M-PESA Till Number or Paybill Number.
How to Apply for a Till Number
To apply for an M-PESA Till Number, begin by visiting the Lipa na M-PESA Application Portal (https://m-pesaforbusiness.co.ke/apply) and clicking on Apply Now. Once on the portal, select the M-PESA Business Till option and proceed by clicking Apply Now again.
Next, you will be prompted to choose a settlement option. For a Business Till, select “Individual settle to owner’s M-PESA only” and continue with the application.
Before submitting your application, review the requirements and charges.
You will need to complete an official application form and provide valid identification documents such as a National ID, Passport, Alien ID, or Military ID.
The service charges a transaction fee of 0.5%, capped at KSh 200 per transaction. Collections below KSh 200 are free of charge. Additionally, customers are not charged for payments made through Lipa na M-PESA Buy Goods, except in the case of fuel stations.
Once you have gathered all the necessary information, fill in the required details on the portal, upload your identification documents, and submit your application.
After submission, you will receive a confirmation message acknowledging receipt of your application. The message will read:
“Dear Customer, your M-PESA Business Till application has been received and will be processed within 10 minutes. Use tracking ID 12345 to track your request on the portal.”
How to Apply for a Paybill Number
The process is similar to that of the Till Number, with one key difference where funds are settled to your bank account rather than your M-PESA wallet.
Also Read: How to Transfer Money from Safaricom M-PESA to Other Networks
- Go to the Lipa na M-PESA Application Portal and click Apply Now.
- Select the M-PESA Business Till (Buy Goods Till)option, then click Apply Now.
- Choose Individual settle to owner’s Bank only. Click Apply Now.
- Review Requirements and Charges:
- Application form.
- Identification documents (National ID, Passport, Alien ID, or Military ID).
- 0.5% transaction fee, capped at KSh 200 per transaction.
- Collections below KSh 200 are FREE.
- Please fill in the required details, upload the supporting documents, and submit.
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