How to Apply for M-PESA Bulk Payment

M-PESA Bulk Payment Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Choose Your Application Channel

You can apply for M-PESA Bulk Payment through four different channels:

1. Online Application: Submit your application through https://m-pesaforbusiness.co.ke/
2. Safaricom Shop Visit: Walk into any Safaricom shop with the required documents
3. Account Manager: Forward documents to your assigned Safaricom account manager
4. Email Application: Send required documents to [email protected]

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

Before applying, gather the following documents (as per the 2026 requirements):

• Bulk Payment Application Form 2026 (downloadable from Safaricom website)
• M-PESA Account Opening Authorization Form
• M-PESA Bulk Payment Tariff Form (select your preferred tariff structure)
• Declaration of Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Information
• Business registration documents (Certificate of Incorporation, Business Permit, etc.)
• KRA PIN Certificate
• Identification documents for authorized signatories

Important: Documents can be submitted in any format except ZIP files, with a maximum size of 10 MB per document.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

The Bulk Payment Application Form 2026 requires you to provide:

• Proposed name for your M-PESA account
• Business details and registration information
• Type of service needed (Bulk Payments B2C or Paybill and Bulk Payments combined)
• Purpose of disbursement and source of funds
• Administrator details (this will be the first user with access to the web portal)
• Contact person information

Step 4: Select Your Tariff Structure

You must choose between two tariff options:

Option 1: Standard B2C Payments to Registered Users The business pays the transaction fee, and customers receive the exact amount sent.

Option 2: B2C Payments with Withdrawal Charges Included The business pays both the transaction fee and the recipient's withdrawal charges, so customers can withdraw without additional costs.

You can also make payments to Airtel Money and T-Kash registered users with specific tariff rates.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

After completing all forms and gathering documents, submit through your chosen channel. Applications submitted online or via email receive an acknowledgment.

Step 6: Track Your Application Status

Monitor your application progress at https://selfservice.m-pesaforbusiness.co.ke/LNM/:

1. Click on "My Applications"
2. Enter the mobile number used during registration
3. View your application status

Application Statuses:

• Processing: Application has been successfully submitted and is under review
• Rejected: Application declined with reasons provided for correction and resubmission
• Approved: Documentation verified successfully; account creation is in progress
• Complete: B2C number is active, credentials sent to applicant, and you can start making payments

Processing Time: Applications are typically processed within 24 hours on working days.

M-PESA Bulk Payment Setting Up Your Account After Approval

Understanding the Account Structure

Once approved, your B2C account consists of two sub-accounts:

1. MMF/Working Account: This is where all deposits to the M-PESA Trust Account are received and where withdrawal requests are made. This account doesn't directly interact with customer accounts.

2. Utility Account: This is the account from which actual customer payments are made. Funds must be transferred from the MMF account to the Utility account before making disbursements.

Funding Your Account (Float Purchase)

To load money into your B2C shortcode, you can make deposits to M-PESA holding accounts at partner banks:

Partner Banks: NCBA, Co-operative Bank, Equity Bank, and KCB

Account Number Format: 333 + Your Shortcode For example, if your shortcode is 123456, use 333123456 as the beneficiary account number.

Deposit Methods and Processing Times:

• Cash Deposit (KCB only): Within 1 hour
• RTGS Transfer: Within 1 hour
• EFT Transfer: Within 48 hours (working days)
• Cheque Deposit: Approximately 3 working days

Important: Always include the prefix "333" before your shortcode. Omitting it will result in rejection and reversal of funds.

M-PESA Bulk Payment User Roles and Permissions

The B2C system operates on a maker-checker principle with four distinct roles:

1. Business Administrator

• Created by Safaricom upon account activation
• Limited to creating and managing other users
• Cannot view, initiate, or approve transactions
• Manages user permissions and access levels

2. Business Web Operator

• Initiates transactions and uploads bulk payment files
• Can view statements
• Can initiate reversals
• Cannot approve or reject transactions
• Cannot withdraw funds from M-PESA

3. Business Manager

• Approves bulk transactions uploaded by operators
• Can approve or reject transactions
• Can view statements
• Can withdraw funds from M-PESA
• Can initiate reversals

4. Business Auditor

• Read-only access to view statements
• Cannot initiate, upload, approve, or reject transactions
• Cannot withdraw funds
• Ideal for oversight and compliance roles

Important: At least two users are required to complete a transaction—one to initiate (operator) and one to approve (manager). However, the Business Administrator can customize the number of approvers from 0 to 5.

Making M-PESA Bulk Payments

Two Payment Types

Individual Payment: Make one-off payments to single recipients in real-time.

Bulk Payment: Upload a CSV file with multiple recipients and process up to 20,000 payments simultaneously.

Bulk Payment Process

1. Download the bulk payment template from your portal
2. Fill in recipient details (name, phone number, and amount)
3. Save as CSV file in the specified format
4. Upload the file through your portal
5. Validate recipient details (optional feature)
6. Schedule the payment date and time
7. Operator reviews and submits for approval
8. Manager approves the transaction
9. Payments are processed in real-time

Payment Limits and Capabilities

• Maximum recipients per bulk payment: 20,000
• Maximum amount per recipient: KSh 250,000 per transaction
• Recipient account balance limit: KSh 500,000
• Supported networks: Safaricom M-PESA, Airtel Money, and T-Kash (Telkom Kenya)

Note: B2C is strictly for Business to Customer payments. For shortcode-to-shortcode payments, you need the B2B (Business to Business) service.

Key Features and Benefits

• Real-time processing: Payments are sent instantly at the click of a button
• Transaction monitoring: Access comprehensive statements and reports
• Validation option: Verify recipient phone numbers against ID documents before payment
• Flexible withdrawal charges: Choose whether to include withdrawal fees in the payment
• Multiple approvers: Customize approval workflows with up to 5 approvers
• Secure access: Role-based permissions ensure proper segregation of duties
• Cross-network payments: Send to M-PESA, Airtel Money, and T-Kash users

Important Considerations

Insufficient Funds: If you attempt bulk payments with insufficient balance, recipients will be paid in order until funds are depleted. Remaining transactions will fail, and you'll see a "failed" status.

Confidentiality: Login credentials are confidential and must not be shared. Each user should have their own account with appropriate permissions.

Administrator Changes: If you need to change your M-PESA administrator, submit an administrator form with required documents to [email protected] or visit a Safaricom shop.

Portal Migration: Organizations currently using the Merchant Portal can migrate to the M-PESA Business Portal while maintaining their existing Business Entity and whitelisted shortcodes.

Support and Assistance

For queries or assistance:

• Account Manager: Contact your assigned Safaricom account manager
• Support Line: Call 0722 002222 from your authorized contact number
• Email: [email protected]
• General Customer Care: Call 100 (prepay) or 200 (post-pay)
• Social Media: Facebook (Safaricom PLC) or Twitter (@SafaricomPLC)