M-Pesa Pochi La Biashara

Created: 18 Jul 2025   Updated: 18 Jul 2025

What is Pochi La Biashara?

Pochi La Biashara (Swahili for "business wallet") is a service tailored for small business owners in Kenya. It enables entrepreneurs—such as food vendors, kiosk owners, boda-boda operators, and market sellers—to receive, manage, and separate business funds from personal funds, all without requiring a second phone number or M-Pesa account. The service offers a simple alternative to more formal business accounts, with unique benefits for informal sectors.

Key Features

  • Separate wallets: Keeps business and personal finances distinct within a single M-Pesa account.
  • Simple registration: No paperwork is needed; activation is via USSD code.
  • Enhanced security: Payments sent to Pochi La Biashara cannot be reversed without the merchant’s approval, reducing risks of unauthorized reversals.
  • Direct withdrawals: Funds can be withdrawn directly from the Pochi La Biashara wallet at any M-Pesa agent.
  • Airtime sales: Merchants can sell airtime and earn a 5% commission on every transaction.
  • Business transaction tracking: Access to mini-statements and detailed transaction history for easier bookkeeping and financial management.
  • Send and pay: Merchants can pay suppliers, employees, or other businesses directly from the Pochi wallet.
  • Affordable: Standard M-Pesa charges apply, with no additional monthly fees.

Who is Pochi La Biashara For?

  • Food vendors and street traders
  • Kiosk and shop owners
  • Boda-boda (motorcycle) operators
  • Secondhand clothes and market traders
  • Freelancers and service providers Essentially, it is ideal for small and micro businesses seeking a simple and digital way to manage business cash flows.

How to Register for Pochi La Biashara

Follow these steps to create your Pochi La Biashara account:

  1. Dial *334# from your M-Pesa-registered Safaricom line.
  2. Select "Pochi La Biashara" from the menu.
  3. Choose “Join Pochi” and accept the terms and conditions.
  4. Select your business category (e.g., food vendor, retail, services) when prompted.
  5. Enter your M-Pesa PIN for confirmation.
  6. Receive a confirmation SMS—your account is now ready for use.

How to Receive Payments

Customers can pay directly to your Pochi La Biashara wallet without needing your personal details:

  • Via M-Pesa USSD:
  1. Dial *334#
  2. Select "Lipa na M-Pesa"
  3. Choose "Pochi La Biashara"
  4. Enter your phone number (the merchant’s M-Pesa line)
  5. Enter amount and complete with M-Pesa PIN
  • Via M-Pesa App:
  1. Open M-Pesa app
  2. Select "Pay"
  3. Choose "Pochi La Biashara"
  4. Enter details and complete transaction.

How to Use Pochi La Biashara

  • Withdraw funds: Go to any M-Pesa agent and withdraw directly from Pochi La Biashara, or move funds to your personal M-Pesa wallet first.
  • Send money: Pay employees, suppliers, or other Pochi La Biashara users from your business wallet.
  • Sell airtime: Use Pochi funds to sell airtime and earn a 5% commission.
  • Purchase goods and services: Use "Lipa Na Pochi" to pay other businesses, paybills, or perform transactions for business purposes.
  • View mini-statements: Track your daily or recent transactions for easier record-keeping and reconciliation.

Benefits of Pochi La Biashara

  • Business and personal separation: Prevents accidental use of business funds for personal needs.
  • Improved record-keeping: Access to mini-statements and better tracking of all business payments.
  • Reduced reversal fraud: Only the account holder can approve transaction reversals, protecting business income.
  • No paperwork: Quick, free, and paperless sign-up and operation.
  • Flexible withdrawals: Take out business funds as needed—directly, or move to personal wallet first.
  • Extra income stream: Earn commissions on airtime sales through the same wallet.
  • Accessible to all: No need for a physical shop or advanced documentation—suitable even for roadside traders.

Charges and Transaction Limits

  • Charges: Standard M-Pesa transaction rates apply for payments, withdrawals, and transfers—no additional monthly or hidden fees.
  • Limits: Subject to normal M-Pesa transaction limits (maximum per transaction and per day as per Safaricom policy).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I register for Pochi La Biashara on more than one line? No, you can only operate Pochi La Biashara on one M-Pesa line at a time.

2. How do I access funds? Funds can be withdrawn at any M-Pesa agent or transferred to your personal M-Pesa balance for other uses.

3. Can customers reverse payments accidentally sent to my Pochi La Biashara account? No. Only you, the business owner, can approve a reversal—adding security to business collections.

4. Can I use Fuliza (overdraft) on my Pochi La Biashara wallet? No, Fuliza is not available directly on Pochi La Biashara, keeping your business cash untouched by your personal Fuliza balance.

Tips to Maximize Pochi La Biashara

  • Always share your Pochi La Biashara number for business transactions to maintain clean records.
  • Use mini-statements for daily reconciliation.
  • Encourage regular customers to use Pochi for fast, safe, and traceable payments.
  • Utilize the airtime resale option to supplement business revenue.

Pochi La Biashara helps in consolidating business transactions and providing easy account management through your mobile phone.