M-Pesa Till vs Paybill in Kenya (2026): Charges, Differences & How to Register
Till or Paybill for your business? The real difference, who actually pays the M-Pesa charge (and who pays nothing), and the exact steps and documents to register one.
There are two ways to collect money on M-Pesa — a Buy Goods Till and a Paybill. They look similar, but they differ on the one thing your customers notice most: who pays the charge. Here is the real difference, and exactly how to get either.
The difference, in one line
- Till (Buy Goods): the customer chooses Lipa na M-Pesa → Buy Goods and Services, enters your Till number and the amount. Best for shops, retail and restaurants — an instant payment for a sale.
- Paybill: the customer chooses Lipa na M-Pesa → Pay Bill, enters your Paybill number, an account number (their name, invoice or unit) and the amount. Best for bills, rent, school fees, SACCOs and collections — where you need to know who paid for what.
Who pays the charge? (the part that matters)
This is where the two really differ:
- Buy Goods (Till): the customer pays KES 0. Safaricom waived customer Buy Goods fees in 2018, and it still holds in 2026. The merchant pays a small fee to Safaricom — never the customer.
- Paybill: it depends on the tariff the business chose. The most common setup — utilities, schools, landlords — passes the fee to the customer. Some businesses absorb it. So a customer often pays a fee on a Paybill, but never on a Till.
Check any amount
M-Pesa Fee Calculator →
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Once your till is live
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How to register (Buy Goods Till)
- Go to m-pesaforbusiness.co.ke and click Apply Now.
- Choose M-Pesa Business Till (Buy Goods) — or Paybill if you collect bills and need account numbers.
- Pick your business type — Individual, Sole Proprietorship, or Limited Company.
- Upload the required documents (below).
- Safaricom reviews the application — usually within 24–48 hours — then SMSs you a Till number and a Store number.
- Activate: on the registered SIM, dial *234# → M-Pesa Business Till → enter your Store number → accept the terms. You’re live.
Documents you’ll need
Sole proprietor / individual:
- National ID — a clear copy, front and back
- Your KRA PIN certificate (download it from iTax)
- Your business name certificate from the Business Registration Service (BRS), or your business permit
- Bank details for settlement — a cancelled cheque or a bank letter
- A Safaricom SIM registered in the owner’s name (for notifications and management)
A limited company also provides its certificate of incorporation and a CR12.
Frequently asked
Is Buy Goods (Till) free for customers?
Yes. Paying a Buy Goods Till costs the customer KES 0. Safaricom waived customer Buy Goods fees in 2018 and that still holds in 2026. The merchant pays a small fee to Safaricom, not the customer.
Do customers pay a charge on a Paybill?
It depends on the tariff the business chose. The most common setup — used by utilities, schools and landlords — passes the transaction fee to the customer. Some businesses absorb it so the customer pays nothing. So a customer often pays a fee on a Paybill, but never on a Till.
Should I choose a Till or a Paybill?
Use a Till (Buy Goods) for a shop, restaurant or retail sale — it is instant and free for your customer. Use a Paybill for bills, rent, school fees, SACCOs or any collection where you need an account or reference number to know who paid what.
Can a sole proprietor or individual get a Till?
Yes. Safaricom's M-Pesa for Business supports Individual, Sole Proprietorship and Limited Company applications.
How long does registration take?
Online applications are typically processed within 24 to 48 hours, after which Safaricom SMSs you your Store number and Till number.
What documents do I need?
For a sole proprietor: a copy of your national ID (front and back), your KRA PIN certificate from iTax, your business name certificate from BRS (or business permit), and bank details (a cancelled cheque or bank letter) for settlement, plus a Safaricom SIM in the owner's name. A limited company also provides its certificate of incorporation and CR12.
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