A customer buying a KSh150 item may not think twice about the cost of completing the transaction. To a small trader handling dozens of payments every day, however, transaction charges can quietly add up and eat into already narrow profit margins.
That is where Safaricom’s latest Pochi La Biashara pricing changes could make a difference for small businesses, with transactions of up to KSh200 now attracting no charge, compared with the previous KSh100 threshold.
The change is part of PATA MORE Popote Ulipo na Safaricom, a customer value proposition designed to give customers additional value from products and services they already use.
Every Shilling Matters
Small traders often operate in a world where profits are built from many small transactions rather than a handful of large sales.
A kiosk owner, food vendor, salon operator or market trader may receive and send money several times during a single working day.
Reducing the cost of smaller transactions gives such businesses an opportunity to retain more of the money generated from daily sales.
Transactions above KSh200 will also have fees capped at KSh50 for the next 90 days, running until October 31, 2026.
The pricing structure puts affordability and transparency at the heart of the proposition, allowing traders to have a clearer understanding of their transaction costs.
From Payment Wallet to Business Companion
Pochi La Biashara is also evolving beyond simply receiving customer payments.
The wallet is being positioned as a one-stop business platform that helps traders separate business money from personal funds, track sales and manage cash flow. That separation can make a practical difference.
A trader who can easily distinguish money earned by the business from money meant for household expenses has a better view of how much can be reinvested in stock, saved or used to meet other business needs.
Turning Payments into Opportunities
The wallet also connects merchants to services designed to support different stages of running a small business.
Eligible traders can access Taasi Pochi business credit, providing an avenue to access financing when additional working capital is needed.
Through Ziidi Pochi, merchants can save and invest, while Tuunza Mapato insurance provides an option for protecting income.
The combination means the same platform used to collect payments can also become part of a trader’s saving, financing and income-protection journey.
More Value Beyond Transactions
Pochi La Biashara also brings communication and income-generating opportunities closer to small traders.
Ofa ya Pochi provides business voice and data bundles starting from KSh10, helping merchants stay connected with customers and suppliers.
Traders can additionally sell airtime and earn commissions of up to five per cent, creating another potential income stream.
Small Changes, Practical Impact
PATA MORE Popote Ulipo is ultimately about adding value to services customers already depend on.
For a small trader, the benefit may not always arrive as one dramatic saving. It can come through lower transaction costs, better separation of finances, easier cash-flow tracking, access to credit, savings and insurance.
When those benefits accumulate across hundreds of daily transactions, the difference can become significant, giving small businesses a little more room to keep trading, reinvest and grow.