For a small business owner, the imperative of keeping personal and business matters distinct is paramount. This goes beyond mere information; it includes transactions too. As a Small Businessman, My objective is to ensure that my business earnings are clearly separated from personal dealings with friends and family. Luckily, there’s a reliable solution: the Safaricom “Till Number.” Countless businesses have reaped the benefits of using Till Numbers, safeguarding them against even the notorious reversal fraud.

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What is A Till Number?

A “Till Number” (consisting of six or seven digits) is provided by Mpesa (Safaricom) upon registration by individuals and registered businesses. This number enables businesses to collect payments and use the funds for other transactions directly from the number.

Benefits of a Till Number

1. Separate Personal and Business Funds: A till number helps clients distinguish between business funds and personal funds.
2. No Charges: A till number allows clients pay businesses without incurring transaction fees.
3. Collects Payments from Airtel Money and Telkom’s T-Kash: A till number can also receive payments from Airtel Money and Telkom’s T-Kash.
4. Shorter Number and Easier to Memorize: Unlike Pochi La Biashara and the Send Money feature, a till number has fewer characters, making it easy for both business owners and clients to remember.
5. Operates on the Safaricom Business App: The till number functions through the Safaricom Business App, which offers multiple security and business operation features, simplifying order and service management.
6. Can Be Used to Pay Suppliers, Workers, and Utilities: A till number can be used to make payments to other entities, keeping a record of transactions. With features like “withdraw,” “pay to till,” “pay to paybill,” and “pay to mobile number,” a till number serves as a centralized business finance manager.
7. Empowers you with control over your funds: Unlike the send money feature, an M-PESA till eradicates reversal fraud in your business and additionally provides you with a reversal feature.

Access Channels Of A Till Number

• Mpesa Business App: As previously mentioned, the Mpesa for Business smartphone app is the preferable way to access a till number. It allows business owners to better visualize their payment collections and spending, view full statements, and conduct transactions directly from the app. The app offers a faster and simpler payment experience.
• USSD Code *234*2#: Available for both smartphones and non-smartphones, this code is simple to use for accessing till number services.

Till Number Rates and Charges

Customer To Till Number

• A businessman incurs a maximum charge of 0.55%, capped at Ksh 200 per transaction.
• Collecting amounts less than Ksh 200 incurs no charges.
• Customers are not charged for transactions, except when paying at fuel stations.

Business Till- Other Entities

How To Apply For A Till Number

To apply for a Safaricom Till number, go to Safaricom for Business and choose M-PESA Business Till (Buy Goods Till). Click on Apply and fill out the form with both your personal details and business information. If you’re applying for a registered business, you’ll need to submit legal documents.

Note: For unregistered businesses, a till with your name will be issued. For registered businesses, a till with the business name will be provided.

After creation, the store details will be sent to the nominated number via SMS from Lipa na M-PESA.

With the till details, dial *234*2# or download the M-PESA Business App to proceed with activation.

Lipa na M-PESA Sticker: If you applied through the Lipa na M-PESA Application portal, go to the ‘My Applications’ section to download a personalized Business Till sticker with your store details. Alternatively, you can create a till sticker for your business using our till generator by clicking here.

Securing Till Numbers

The following are guidelines to secure your Till:

• Safaricom will only contact you from the number 0722000000 or via email from [email protected] or [email protected] for reversal requests received through our customer care channels.
• You have the option to reverse funds yourself using the M-PESA Business App or authorize Safaricom to reverse on your behalf if you are certain that the received funds do not belong to you.
• For security purposes, you can change your PIN at any time.