M-PESA for Business Kenya 2026: tills, paybill, Pochi, reconciliation
The paybillke hub for accepting M-PESA payments as a Kenyan business. Safaricom processed 46.4 billion transactions across 3.13 million registered merchants in FY26 (Source: Safaricom PLC Annual Report FY2026), and this hub covers every business rail: Buy Goods tills, paybill numbers, Pochi la Biashara for sole traders, and how they compare on fees, KYC and reconciliation.
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Till vs Paybill vs Pochi
The three business rails compared on the details that matter when you pick one.
| Buy Goods (Till) | Paybill | Pochi la Biashara | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best use case | Retail shop, restaurant, salon | Utilities, schools, SACCOs, subscriptions | Sole trader, hawker, boda operator |
| Setup | Safaricom Shop or Business App, KYC docs | Safaricom Shop, business KYC + callback URL | USSD self-service on *334# |
| Customer fee | Free (fuel stations are the exception) | Standard M-PESA send tariff, up to KES 108 | Free 0 to 500 (promo), then KES 13 to 50 sender-paid |
| Business fee | 0.55 percent, capped KES 200 above KES 36,363 | Negotiated per paybill with Safaricom | None on Pochi promo tier |
| Per-transaction limit | KES 250,000 | KES 250,000 (higher for enterprise paybills) | KES 250,000 |
| Best for | Fast checkout, no customer account needed | Any business that needs a per-customer reference | Low-volume, informal, no shop visit |
Deeper decision walkthrough: Pochi vs Buy Goods vs Paybill 2026.
All business guides on paybillke
- M-PESA business account explained (2026)
- M-PESA business vs personal (2026)
- Register an M-PESA till (2026)
- Get an M-PESA paybill number (2026)
- Pochi la Biashara complete guide (2026)
- Pochi vs Buy Goods vs Paybill
- Paybill vs Buy Goods charges
- How to pay a paybill on M-PESA
- M-PESA for Business charges 2026
- M-PESA business vs personal (older reference)
- Apply for a paybill or till (walkthrough)
- Daraja API integration (reconciliation)
Elsewhere on paybillke
FAQ
What is the difference between an M-PESA till, a paybill, and Pochi la Biashara?
A till (Buy Goods) is for physical retail where the customer scans a QR or types the till number and pays. A paybill is used when you need a per-customer account reference (utilities, schools, SACCOs). Pochi la Biashara is Safaricom's free-to-register wallet for sole traders and informal merchants who want to keep personal and business receipts on one line without disclosing their phone number.
How many M-PESA merchants are there in Kenya?
Safaricom reported 3.13 million registered M-PESA merchants at the end of FY26. That includes Lipa na M-PESA Buy Goods tills, paybills and Pochi la Biashara wallets. Source: Safaricom PLC Annual Report FY2026.
Which is cheaper for a small shop, a till or Pochi?
For tickets under KES 500 Pochi is currently free for both sides (promo through 31 October 2026). For a busy retail shop with tickets over KES 500 a till is usually cheaper because the customer pays nothing and the merchant pays 0.55 percent, capped at KES 200 above KES 36,363.
Do I need a KRA PIN to register a till or paybill?
Yes. Safaricom requires a KRA PIN certificate for every Lipa na M-PESA till and paybill application. Pochi la Biashara does not require a KRA PIN because it is issued on your personal M-PESA line.
How long does it take to get a till or paybill?
One to three business days after Safaricom receives complete documents. The most common reasons for delay are a mismatched business name between the KRA PIN and the county permit, or a missing signature on the application form.
Can I have both a till and a paybill for the same business?
Yes, if the till and paybill serve different products or channels. A school might use a paybill for term fees and a till for the school shop. Safaricom flags duplicate use of a single business under two rails as fraud.
Verified 1 September 2026. Merchant volumes and Pochi count from Safaricom PLC Annual Report FY2026. Tariff figures from Safaricom Lipa na M-PESA tariff page and Pochi la Biashara promo terms.