10 M-Pesa Tools Every Kenyan Crafter Should Know About

May 2, 2025 David Sam

If you run a craft business in Kenya—whether you sell handmade jewelry, home décor, or clothing—M-Pesa is more than just a mobile wallet. It’s a powerful set of tools designed to help you manage, grow, and scale your business.

From collecting payments and paying suppliers to tracking transactions and even accessing loans, M-Pesa offers a wide array of features that can simplify your day-to-day operations. But many crafters don’t realize just how many tools M-Pesa provides beyond the basic “Send Money” function.

Here are 10 essential M-Pesa tools every Kenyan crafter should know about and how you can use them to take your handmade business to the next level.

1. Lipa na M-Pesa (Buy Goods and Services)

Best for: Accepting customer payments in shops, markets, or online.

This tool allows you to set up a Till Number so customers can pay you directly for goods or services without additional charges. It’s perfect for markets, pop-up stalls, or even social media sales.

Benefits:

Instant payment confirmation.
No withdrawal charges from customer side.
Easy for customers to remember and reuse.

2. M-Pesa Paybill

Best for: Managing formal payments and invoicing.

With a Paybill Number, you can set up structured payments with account numbers, useful for tracking multiple clients or services.

Benefits:

Professional appearance.
Excellent for bulk orders or repeat clients.
Clear records for each transaction.

3. M-Pesa App (mySafaricom App)

Best for: Managing your M-Pesa wallet digitally.

This app gives you full control of your M-Pesa account from your smartphone—no need to memorize USSD codes. You can check balances, statements, send money, buy airtime, and even manage your business tools.

Benefits:

Real-time transaction notifications.
Access full statements.
Manage multiple services from one place.

4. M-Pesa Business App

Best for: Managing Till and Paybill accounts.

This app is designed specifically for small businesses using Lipa na M-Pesa or Paybill services. You can track sales, issue refunds, and download statements on the go.

Benefits:

Separate business dashboard.
Export data for bookkeeping.
Control access with employee permissions.

5. M-Pesa Statements and Mini-Statements

Best for: Bookkeeping and expense tracking.

You can request your M-Pesa statement via email or SMS to track business income and expenses. This helps when doing your taxes, budgeting, or applying for loans.

How to get it:

Dial *234#, go to “My M-Pesa Info” → “M-Pesa Statement.”

6. M-Shwari

Best for: Saving and accessing small emergency loans.

M-Shwari, a service within M-Pesa, allows you to save and borrow money without needing paperwork. You earn interest on your savings and can borrow for emergency stock purchases or materials.

Benefits:

Instant loan access.
Flexible repayment.
Great for building credit history.

7. KCB M-Pesa

Best for: Business savings and short-term loans.

This is another saving and loan product, but backed by KCB Bank. It gives higher borrowing limits and more flexible saving terms than M-Shwari.

Benefits:

Higher loan limits with good repayment behavior.
Separate from your regular M-Pesa wallet.
Easy to use via the M-Pesa menu or app.

8. Fuliza M-Pesa

Best for: Covering short-term cash flow gaps.

Fuliza allows you to complete transactions even when your M-Pesa balance is low, acting as an overdraft. Ideal when you urgently need to pay a supplier but haven’t received a customer payment yet.

Benefits:

Immediate access to overdraft.
Pay as you receive more funds.
Useful for low-balance emergencies.

9. Pochi la Biashara

Best for: Informal businesses receiving personal payments.

This tool lets you receive payments using your personal number without exposing your full wallet. Customers can still pay via Lipa na M-Pesa → Pochi la Biashara, and it keeps your personal and business finances separate.

Benefits:

No need to register a business.
Safe and private.
Ideal for beginners and mobile sellers.

10. M-Pesa Global

Best for: Receiving international payments.

If you sell your crafts online to international clients or diasporans, M-Pesa Global allows you to receive money from platforms like PayPal, Western Union, and WorldRemit directly into your M-Pesa wallet.

Benefits:

Global reach.
Easy integration with PayPal.
Instant access to international funds.