Updated 18 October 2026
Pochi la Biashara is not only a way to receive payments. It also lets you sell Safaricom airtime straight from your business wallet and earn a commission on each sale. For kiosk owners, shopkeepers, salons and anyone with regular foot traffic, airtime can become a small but steady extra income stream without buying or storing scratch cards. This guide explains how to sell airtime, how the commission works and how to grow your airtime sales.
How Airtime Selling Works
A customer gives you cash or pays you through Pochi, and you send airtime from your Pochi wallet to their number. Safaricom pays you a commission on each sale. Safaricom has stated the commission as 5% of the airtime value. Check the current rate on the Pochi menu, as terms can change.
Steps to Sell Airtime
- Dial *334# and select Pochi la Biashara.
- Choose Sell Airtime.
- Enter the customer’s phone number.
- Enter the amount of airtime.
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN.
- The customer receives the airtime and you both get confirmation messages.
Rules to Know
- Buying airtime for your own line does not earn commission. Commission is for selling to customers.
- You need enough balance in Pochi to cover the airtime you sell.
- Double check the customer’s number before confirming, because airtime sent to the wrong number is hard to recover.
How Much Can You Earn?
At a 5% commission, every KSh 1,000 of airtime sold earns KSh 50. If your shop sells KSh 2,000 of airtime a day, that is about KSh 100 a day, or roughly KSh 3,000 over a month. It will not replace a main business, but it adds up, and it brings customers into your shop who may buy other things too.
Why It Beats Scratch Cards
| Scratch cards | Pochi airtime |
|---|---|
| Need cash to buy stock in advance | Uses your Pochi balance |
| Fixed denominations | Any amount the customer wants |
| Risk of theft or damage | Nothing physical to lose |
| Need to restock from dealers | Always available when you have balance |
Tips to Grow Airtime Sales
- Put up a sign saying Airtime Available, Any Amount.
- Keep a float in Pochi in the morning so you never turn customers away.
- Offer it to regulars such as boda boda riders and neighbours.
- Combine with other services like phone charging or M-Pesa agent services if you have them.
- Record daily airtime sales so you can see the commission you earn each month.
Who Benefits Most
Shops near bus stages, schools, hospitals and markets see the most airtime demand because people need credit on the move. Salons and barbershops also do well, as customers wait and often top up while seated. If your business is in a quiet residential area, airtime may still help, since neighbours prefer a trusted local seller late in the evening.
Managing Your Float
Airtime sales use money in your Pochi, and the cash the customer gives you replaces it. At the end of the day, your cash plus Pochi balance should equal your opening balance plus commission. If it does not, check for errors or wrong numbers. Treat the airtime float as part of your business money, not personal spending money.
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Avoiding Airtime Mistakes
The most common problem is sending airtime to the wrong number. Read the number back to the customer before you enter your PIN, or ask them to type it on your phone themselves. If a mistake happens, contact Safaricom customer care quickly with the transaction details, but be aware that airtime already used by the wrong recipient may not be recoverable. Keep a simple daily log of each airtime sale, with the number and amount, so you can check against your Pochi statement at the end of the day.
Turning Airtime Into a Customer Magnet
Customers who come in for airtime often buy something else, such as bread, a soda or phone accessories. Place fast moving items near where you serve airtime customers. Friendly, quick service makes people come back to you instead of the shop next door. Over time, airtime traffic can raise your overall sales by more than the commission itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much commission do I earn selling airtime on Pochi?
Safaricom has stated 5%. Check the current rate on the menu.
Do I earn commission on airtime for myself?
No. Only sales to customers earn commission.
Can I sell airtime to other networks?
Pochi airtime selling is for Safaricom airtime.
When is the commission paid?
Check your confirmation messages and Pochi statement for commission credits.
Do I need a separate dealer account?
No. You sell directly from Pochi la Biashara.
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