Pochi la Biashara is Safaricom’s free tool that lets a small business receive M-PESA payments straight to its phone number, kept separate from personal money. You register by dialing *334# on the phone number you want to use, and there is no till or paybill to apply for. Customer payments of KES 200 and below are free; above that, banded charges apply. You spend or withdraw the money like normal M-PESA. It is built for vendors, boda riders, kiosks and mama mbogas who want business money in one place without the cost of a full till.
How to register for Pochi la Biashara
Dial *334# on the Safaricom line you want to receive payments on. Choose M-PESA services, then Pochi la Biashara, then follow the prompts to activate. Registration is free and takes a minute, and there is nothing to apply for or wait on. Once active, customers pay you by sending M-PESA to that phone number, and the money shows in your Pochi, separate from your personal balance.
What Pochi la Biashara costs
Receiving customer payments of KES 200 and below is free, which is why Pochi suits low-value, high-frequency businesses. For payments above KES 200, Safaricom charges a banded fee on the transaction. Moving money out or spending it follows the normal M-PESA charges. There is no monthly fee and no setup cost.
How to get your money out
Money received in Pochi is spendable and withdrawable like your normal M-PESA. You can send it, pay bills with it, or withdraw at an agent, subject to the usual M-PESA withdrawal charges. Keeping it in Pochi simply means your business takings do not get mixed up with personal spending, which matters at KRA time and for basic bookkeeping.
Pochi la Biashara vs a Buy Goods till
Pochi is the simplest option and free to receive small payments, but it is tied to a phone number and is built for small, informal trade. Once your business grows, needs multiple staff to receive on one number, wants a formal till number on a sticker, or needs proper records and larger limits, a Buy Goods till or a paybill is the better tool. Think of Pochi as the starting step and the till as what you move to when you outgrow it. Full comparison: Pochi vs Buy Goods vs Paybill (2026).
Who Pochi la Biashara is for
Food vendors, boda boda operators, kiosk owners, secondhand clothes sellers, mama mbogas, and any small trader who wants customer payments separated from personal money without paying for a till. If you are just starting and most of your sales are small, Pochi is the cheapest legitimate way to take M-PESA for business.
Pochi la Biashara, frequently asked questions
How do I register for Pochi la Biashara?
Dial *334# on the Safaricom line you want to receive business payments on, choose M-PESA services, then Pochi la Biashara, and follow the prompts. Registration is free and takes a minute.
What are the Pochi la Biashara charges?
Customer payments of KES 200 and below are free. For payments above KES 200, Safaricom charges a banded fee on the transaction. Confirm the current bands with Safaricom, as tariffs change.
How do I check my Pochi la Biashara balance?
On the M-PESA menu or the M-PESA app, your Pochi balance shows separately from your personal M-PESA balance.
Can Fuliza deduct from my Pochi la Biashara?
Pochi now has its own overdraft, Pochi Fuliza, for merchants active on Pochi for over six months. Safaricom says Pochi Fuliza is repaid automatically from money paid into your Pochi wallet. Its Pochi Fuliza FAQ, updated 22 October 2026, does not say personal Fuliza deducts from Pochi. See our Fuliza ya Pochi guide for fees and how to opt in.
How do I withdraw money from Pochi la Biashara?
Spend or withdraw it like normal M-PESA, at an agent or by sending and paying, subject to the standard M-PESA withdrawal charges. There is no separate Pochi withdrawal fee.
Do I need a till or paybill for Pochi?
No. Pochi uses your phone number as the payment address, with nothing to apply for and no monthly fee. If you outgrow it, you can apply for a Buy Goods till or paybill separately.