5 Easy Ways to Accept M-Pesa Payments for Your Handmade Items

May 2, 2025 David Sam

As a craft business owner in Kenya, one of the most essential steps toward growing your business is making it easy for customers to pay for your products. Fortunately, M-Pesa, Kenya’s leading mobile money service, offers a seamless, efficient, and widely accepted way to receive payments.

Whether you’re selling handmade jewelry, custom clothing, art, or home décor, accepting M-Pesa payments helps you cater to a wide audience and provides your customers with a fast, secure payment option. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to set up!

Here are 5 easy ways to accept M-Pesa payments for your handmade items:

1. Set Up Lipa na M-Pesa (Till Number)

One of the most popular ways to accept payments through M-Pesa is by setting up Lipa na M-Pesa (Buy Goods and Services). This option works especially well for businesses that want to receive payments in a structured way.

How it works:

You’ll need to register with Safaricom to get a Till Number. Once registered, you can share this number with your customers.
Customers can simply pay by choosing the Lipa na M-Pesa option on their phone, entering your Till number, and completing the transaction.

Why it’s great:

Easy to set up: You don’t need a physical store to use it; you can use it online, at markets, or in person.
Instant notifications: You get notified immediately when someone makes a payment.
Ideal for repeat customers: Your Till number can be saved, making it easier for customers to make payments in the future.

2. Create a Paybill Number for Your Business

If you want to have a more formal payment system, Paybill is another excellent option. This is perfect for businesses that want a more professional and customizable solution.

How it works:

To set up a Paybill number, you need to go through the Safaricom Business Portal.
Once you’re approved, you’ll get your unique Paybill number that customers can use to pay you directly.
Customers will enter the Paybill number and your account number (which you’ll set up as the “business” name or product description), and complete the payment.

Why it’s great:

Customizable: You can track payments by category (e.g., jewelry, clothing, home décor).
Ideal for large orders: You can easily collect larger payments, such as bulk orders or subscription-based payments.
Professional and secure: This method adds an air of professionalism and builds trust with your customers.

3. Accept M-Pesa Payments via Your Phone Number

For those just starting out or working from home, M-Pesa via your phone number is a simple and direct way to receive payments.

How it works:

Simply share your M-Pesa phone number with your customers.
They can use the M-Pesa Send Money option and send payment directly to your number.
You can confirm the payment immediately, and once received, you can proceed to ship or hand over the product.

Why it’s great:

No setup required: If you already have an M-Pesa account, you can start receiving payments right away.
Ideal for small transactions: This works well for smaller or one-off orders.
Quick and easy: It’s as simple as sending or receiving any normal M-Pesa transfer.

4. Use M-Pesa’s “Buy Goods” API for Your Website

If you run a website or an online store, you can integrate the M-Pesa Buy Goods API to accept payments directly on your platform. This integration allows customers to pay for their handmade items without leaving the website.

How it works:

You need to set up an online payment gateway via M-Pesa’s Buy Goods API.
Once integrated, customers can pay directly from the checkout page on your website by selecting M-Pesa as the payment option.
The payment process is smooth, and you’ll receive notifications of successful payments.

Why it’s great:

Seamless experience: Customers can shop and pay without leaving your website.
Reliable: It’s a trusted, secure way to accept payments online.
Automated: You don’t need to manually confirm payments or chase down buyers.

5. Accept M-Pesa Payments on Social Media and WhatsApp

Social media platforms are a fantastic way to promote your handmade items and connect with potential customers. You can easily accept payments through M-Pesa without a website, using your social media platforms or WhatsApp Business.

How it works:

Promote your handmade products on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Business.
When a customer expresses interest in your items, send them your M-Pesa Till Number or phone number to facilitate payment.
Once payment is confirmed, you can arrange for delivery.

Why it’s great:

Convenient for customers: Customers can easily reach out to you via WhatsApp or social media, and complete payments through M-Pesa.
Personal touch: You can engage with customers directly, making them feel more connected to your business.
No fees for the platform: Selling directly through social media or WhatsApp means no additional selling fees (as opposed to online marketplaces).