How to Get a Paybill Number in Kenya (for a Business, Chama or Fundraiser)
Long-term paybills are for registered businesses and institutions; short-term paybills (up to six months) are for fundraisers and projects. Here's what Safaricom asks for in each case and how to apply.
A paybill gives every payment an account number, so you know who paid for what. That makes it the right tool for schools collecting fees, landlords collecting rent, SACCOs collecting contributions, or any business that invoices customers. There are two kinds, and they have different requirements.
Long-term paybill (for businesses and organisations)
- Business registration certificate or certificate of incorporation (a valid registration or licence is required)
- KRA PIN for the business, and for the directors of a company
- Copies of the directors' or owners' IDs
- For companies: the CR12 and a board resolution naming the authorised operators
- A bank letter or cancelled cheque for the settlement account. It should be an account in the business's name
- The completed and signed Safaricom application form
Short-term paybill (for fundraising and projects)
A short-term paybill runs for up to six months for a specific purpose, such as medical bills, a funeral, a church building project or a school fundraiser. You don't need a registered business, but you must prove the cause is real.
- A signed application stating the purpose and the duration
- Signed terms and conditions
- The applicant's certified ID and KRA PIN certificate
- Proof of the cause: for example a hospital letter for a medical fund, or a committee letter signed by two members for a charity or church project
- A bank letter for a dedicated account where the money will settle
Paybill for a chama
Safaricom asks a chama for its group registration certificate, the appointed official's ID and KRA PIN, and the group's written mandate. For smaller groups, the M-Pesa Chama account inside the M-Pesa app is often simpler than a full paybill.
How to apply
- Download the current requirements and form from Safaricom, or apply on the M-PESA for Business portal
- Prepare clear copies of every document
- Submit online or at a Safaricom shop
- Once approved, you'll receive the paybill number and administrator login details
- Set up the operators on the M-PESA for Business portal so staff can see payments without holding the admin password
Get the account-number habit right from day one
A paybill is only as good as the account numbers your customers type. Give each customer or invoice its own reference, such as the admission number, house number or invoice number. Better still, connect the paybill to your system so payments are matched automatically through the Daraja API.
Antony Mungai
Founder, Steff Cloud — building websites, systems and automation for Kenyan businesses from Nakuru.