M-PESA now captures 60% of retail payments in Kenya. If your business is still accepting only cash, you are losing customers daily. Here is how to set up M-PESA for your business, what each product costs and how to use your transaction history to access credit.
M-PESA Business Products Available in 2026
| Product | Best For | How Customers Pay |
| Lipa Na M-PESA Till | Shops, kiosks, market stalls | M-PESA > Buy Goods > Till number |
| M-PESA Paybill | Services, schools, online businesses | M-PESA > Pay Bill > Business number |
| M-PESA for Business App | Managing multiple tills | App-based management |
| M-PESA Global | Receiving payments from abroad | International transfer |
Paybill vs Till Number — What Is the Difference
| Factor | Paybill | Till (Buy Goods) |
| Payment reference | Customer enters account/reference number | No reference needed |
| Funds go to | Business bank account (via M-PESA) | M-PESA wallet or bank |
| Best for | Rent, school fees, services with invoices | Shops, market stalls, quick sales |
| Registration cost | Free via Safaricom | Free via Safaricom |
| Transaction fee | Charged to customer or business | Charged to customer |
How to Register a Till Number for Your Business
- Go to the nearest Safaricom shop or apply at safaricom.co.ke/enterprise
- Bring your business registration certificate, National ID and KRA PIN
- Fill in the merchant registration form
- Safaricom verifies your documents — usually 2-5 business days
- You receive your till number and set up your M-PESA merchant account
- Activate your till via the M-PESA menu on your Safaricom line
How to Register a Paybill Number
- Go to safaricom.co.ke/enterprise and select Paybill
- Fill in your business details and upload registration documents
- Link your Paybill to your business bank account
- Safaricom approves and assigns your Paybill number within 5 business days
- Test with a small payment before going live
M-PESA Transaction Charges for Businesses in 2026
The good news for most small businesses is that Lipa Na M-PESA Buy Goods charges are paid by the customer, not the business, for transactions under KSh 49,999. For larger transactions, a small merchant discount rate may apply.
How to View Your M-PESA Business Statements
- Log in to the M-PESA Business App or go to pay.safaricom.co.ke
- Select Statements under Reports
- Choose your date range and download as PDF or CSV
- Statements can be used for loan applications, tax filing and reconciliation
How Your M-PESA Business History Unlocks Credit
A strong M-PESA business transaction history is now used by KCB, Equity, Absa and several SACCOs to determine your business loan eligibility. The more consistent your M-PESA inflows, the higher the loan limit you may qualify for. Always ensure your business transactions go through your registered till or Paybill — do not mix personal and business M-PESA.
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