How to Apply for an M-PESA Till Number and Paybill Number: Full Guide for Businesses in Kenya

M-PESA Till and Paybill numbers have become integral to daily commerce in Kenya, powering millions of transactions in shops, supermarkets, utility companies, schools, hospitals and online businesses. As more Kenyans venture into entrepreneurship, many are now seeking to register their own M-PESA business solutions to ease customer payments and streamline operations.

This guide breaks down what Paybill and Till numbers are, the requirements, and the step-by-step application process on Safaricom’s official portal.

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Difference Between M-PESA Till Number and Paybill Number

M-PESA Paybill Number

A Paybill number is issued by Safaricom to help organizations, service providers and institutions collect payments directly into their M-PESA Paybill account. Customers enter:

• Paybill Number
• Account/Reference Number (e.g., student name, meter number, policy number, patient number)

Paybill is commonly used by:

• Schools
• Government agencies
• Hospitals and insurance companies
• SACCOs
• Utility providers such as Kenya Power and water companies

M-PESA Till Number (Buy Goods)

An M-PESA Till Number allows customers to pay for goods and services without entering an account number. Payments go directly into the business’s M-PESA Till account.

Tills are commonly used by:

• Supermarkets
• Retail shops
• Restaurants
• Boutiques
• Online sellers

Businesses can either withdraw funds from the till into a bank account or use the balance to make payments directly from the business till.

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Requirements for Applying for a Till or Paybill Number

Safaricom requires the following for all applicants:

• Duly filled application form
• Valid ID (National ID or Passport)
• Signed M-PESA Terms & Conditions
• Bank details – bank letter or cancelled cheque for settlement
• Registered Safaricom line for receiving notifications
• KRA PIN (for business Paybills)
• Business documents depending on the type of entity

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How to Apply for an M-PESA Till Number

1. Visit the official M-PESA for Business portal: m-pesaforbusiness.co.ke
2. Click “Apply Now”
3. Under M-PESA Business Till, select Apply Now
4. Choose between:
   • Individual Till – settles funds directly to your personal M-PESA
   • Business Till – for registered businesses
5. Fill in the application form with your details
6. Upload a copy of your ID
7. Submit the application
8. Wait for a confirmation message from Safaricom

Safaricom typically processes Till Number applications within a short period after submission.

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How to Apply for an M-PESA Paybill Number

1. Visit m-pesaforbusiness.co.ke
2. Click Apply Now
3. Select the service you need:
   • Short-Term Paybill (fundraising)
   • Bulk Payment (B2C)
   • Standard Paybill
4. Click Apply Now under the Paybill option
5. Fill in the online application form
6. Prepare and upload required documents:
   • National ID
   • KRA PIN
   • Business Registration Certificate / Permit
   • Bank letter or cancelled cheque
   • Utility bill or business photo to confirm existence
7. Submit your documents
8. Wait for approval, typically within 24 hours

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Categories of Paybill Numbers Provided by Safaricom

1. Short-Term Paybill (Fundraising)

Used for:

• Medical appeals
• Burial contributions
• Wedding support
• Education fundraising
• Charity events

2. Bulk Payment (Business-to-Customer, B2C)

Allows organizations to disburse money from a shortcode to individuals.

Common uses:

• Salary payments
• SACCO dividends
• Partner or supplier payouts

3. Standard Paybill

The most common category, used for real-time customer-to-business payments.

Common uses:

• School fees
• Utility bills
• Hospital bills
• Service payments