About M-Pesa, Paybill, Till & Pochi La Biashara
M-Pesa is Kenya's pioneering mobile money platform, launched in 2007 by Safaricom. Today, it serves over 34 million users in Kenya alone[reference:0], processing billions of shillings daily. M-Pesa has revolutionised financial inclusion, allowing Kenyans to send money, pay bills, access credit, and run businesses — all from a basic mobile phone.
Beyond person-to-person transfers, M-Pesa offers three powerful business tools:
- Paybill — for businesses and institutions to collect payments (e.g., utilities, school fees, insurance).
- Till (Buy Goods) — for retail payments at shops, kiosks, and market stalls.
- Pochi La Biashara — a wallet that lets small business owners separate business income from personal funds on a single M-Pesa line[reference:1].
This guide covers everything you need to know — charges, registration, popular Paybill numbers, and how to make the most of M-Pesa for your business or daily life.
💰 M-Pesa Charges 2026 — Full Tariff Table
Safaricom has kept M-Pesa fees unchanged heading into 2026[reference:2]. The table below shows the official charges for sending money, withdrawing at agents, and ATM withdrawals. All fees include the 15% KRA excise duty[reference:3].
| Transaction Range (KSh) | Send to M-Pesa / Pochi / Till | Withdraw at Agent | ATM Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 49 | Free | N/A | N/A |
| 50 – 100 | Free | 11 | N/A |
| 101 – 500 | 7 | 29 | 35 (200–2,500) |
| 501 – 1,000 | 13 | 29 | 35 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | 23 | 29 | 35 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | 33 | 29 | 35 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | 53 | 52 | 69 (2,501–5,000) |
| 3,501 – 5,000 | 57 | 69 | 69 |
| 5,001 – 7,500 | 78 | 87 | 115 (5,001–10,000) |
| 7,501 – 10,000 | 90 | 115 | 115 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 | 100 | 167 | 203 (10,001–35,000) |
| 15,001 – 20,000 | 105 | 185 | 203 |
| 20,001 – 35,000 | 108 | 197 | 203 |
| 35,001 – 50,000 | 108 | 278 | N/A |
| 50,001 – 250,000 | 108 | 309 | N/A |
Sources: Safaricom M-Pesa tariff schedule 2026[reference:4][reference:5]. Max single send: KSh 250,000; daily limit: KSh 500,000[reference:6].
💡 Free M-Pesa transactions in 2026
Person-to-person transfers of KSh 1–100 are free. Merchant payments of up to KSh 200 are also free[reference:7]. Deposits to M-Pesa, airtime purchases, and balance enquiries are always free.
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Get More Customers Today →🏦 Paybill Numbers — Popular Business Codes
A Paybill number is a business code used to collect payments from customers via M-Pesa. It's ideal for utilities, schools, insurance, and service-based businesses[reference:8]. Below are some of the most commonly used Paybill numbers in Kenya:
| Service | Paybill Number | Account Number |
|---|---|---|
| KPLC Prepaid (Tokens) | 888880 | Your meter number[reference:9] |
| KPLC Postpaid (Bills) | 888888 | Your KPLC account number[reference:10] |
| SHA (Social Health Authority) | 200222 | Your National ID number[reference:11] |
| NHIF (legacy, use SHA) | 222222 | NHIFM-Your ID[reference:12] |
| Nairobi Water | 444400 | Your account number[reference:13] |
| M-PESA (Fuliza/loans) | 174379 | Your phone number[reference:14] |
Always verify Paybill numbers on official channels to avoid fraud[reference:15].
How to Pay a Bill via M-Pesa
- Open M-Pesa and select Lipa na M-Pesa
- Choose Pay Bill
- Enter the Business Number (Paybill)
- Enter your Account Number (e.g., meter number, ID, account number)
- Enter the amount, your PIN, and confirm[reference:16]
🛒 Till Numbers — Buy Goods & Services
A Till number (also called "Buy Goods" or "Lipa na M-PESA Till") is designed for retail businesses — shops, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, and market stalls[reference:17]. Customers pay by selecting Buy Goods instead of Pay Bill.
- No account number required — just the Till number
- Funds go to the business's M-Pesa wallet or bank account
- Customer pays no fee for transactions under KSh 49,999[reference:18]
- Business pays a fee of 0.5% (capped at KSh 200) for larger transactions[reference:19]
How to Register a Till Number
- Visit the M-Pesa for Business portal or a Safaricom shop[reference:20]
- Provide your business registration certificate, National ID, and KRA PIN
- Fill in the merchant registration form
- Safaricom verifies documents (2–5 business days)
- Receive your Till number and activate via *234# or the M-Pesa Business App[reference:21]
Official link: m-pesaforbusiness.co.ke
🏪 Pochi La Biashara — Separate Business & Personal Funds
Pochi La Biashara is a Safaricom service that lets small business owners — food vendors, kiosk owners, boda-boda riders, secondhand clothes dealers — separate business income from personal funds on a single M-Pesa line[reference:22]. It requires no paperwork and is free to join[reference:23].
- ✅ No formal registration — sign up via USSD
- ✅ Separate business wallet — funds don't mix with personal M-Pesa
- ✅ Withdraw directly from Pochi at any M-Pesa agent[reference:24]
- ✅ Payments can't be reversed without your approval[reference:25]
- ✅ Sell airtime and earn 5% commission[reference:26]
- ✅ Same limits as M-Pesa: KSh 250,000 per transaction, KSh 500,000 daily[reference:27]
How to Register for Pochi La Biashara
- Dial *334# from your M-Pesa registered line[reference:28]
- Select Pochi La Biashara
- Select Join Pochi and accept Terms & Conditions
- Choose your Business Category from the menu[reference:29]
Your M-Pesa PIN will be used to approve all Pochi transactions[reference:30].
How Customers Pay You via Pochi
Customers can send money to your Pochi wallet by dialling *334#, selecting Lipa na M-Pesa, then Pochi La Biashara, and entering your phone number[reference:31]. You can also receive payments via Paybill or Till numbers linked to your Pochi wallet.
📊 Comparison: Paybill vs Till vs Pochi La Biashara
| Feature | Paybill | Till (Buy Goods) | Pochi La Biashara |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Utilities, schools, insurance, services[reference:32] | Shops, supermarkets, retail[reference:33] | Small traders, freelancers, informal businesses[reference:34] |
| Registration | Formal — requires business documents[reference:35] | Formal — requires business documents[reference:36] | Informal — no paperwork, dial *334#[reference:37] |
| Customer fee | Varies (customer-pays or business-pays)[reference:38] | Free for customers (under KSh 49,999)[reference:39] | Standard M-Pesa charges apply[reference:40] |
| Business fee | Depends on tariff plan | 0.5% capped at KSh 200[reference:41] | Standard M-Pesa charges |
| Reference number | Required (account number) | Not required | Not required |
🧮 M-Pesa Fee Calculator
Enter an amount to see the exact M-Pesa fee for sending money or withdrawing at an agent (includes 15% excise duty).
Send fee: KSh 13
Withdraw fee: KSh 29
Based on 2026 M-Pesa tariffs[reference:42].
📈 M-Pesa Transaction Volumes in Kenya (2026)
Source: Safaricom & Communications Authority of Kenya estimates
📊 M-Pesa in Kenya — By the Numbers
🧠 Quiz: How Well Do You Know M-Pesa?
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Written by: Ken Odhiambo
Reviewed by: Duke Bundi
Last updated:
Last reviewed:
Sources & Disclaimer: Information compiled from Safaricom's official M-Pesa tariff schedules, Communications Authority of Kenya, and verified business portals. While we strive for accuracy, always verify charges and Paybill numbers on official Safaricom channels. ZangCash is not affiliated with Safaricom or any government agency.
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