How to become an M-Pesa agent

M-Pesa agents earn lucrative commissions from the transfer and withdrawals services they render. Mobile money, and by far Mpesa, has become part of the lives of most Kenyans; from sending money to family and friends, to paying for school fees, electricity, rent, among other bills to even buying goods and other services. It’s hard to miss an Mpesa shop or agent, at any location within the country. 

Most of us interact with sub-agents, operating under principal agents. Mpesa shops operate under principal agents, while there are several primary agents whose duty involves managing some agents under them. Agents make commissions from two central transactions; deposits and withdrawals, among other tasks like registration of new Mpesa users.

Roles of M-Pesa agents

The major tasks performed by Mpesa agents include:

1. Registration of Mpesa customers.
2. Depositing cash into registered customers Mpesa accounts.
3. Processing cash withdrawals for registered Mpesa customers.
4. Processing cash withdrawals for non-registered Mpesa customers.
5. Customer education.
6. Compliance with Safaricom AML and KYC policy.
7. Compliance with Safaricom business practices.
8. Branding of their outlets as per provided guidelines.

Who are M-Pesa agents

Mpesa agents include:

1. Safaricom authorized dealers, operating one or more outlets around Kenya.
2. Other retailers with a substantial distribution network like petrol stations, distributors, supermarkets and registered SMEs.
3. Selected Banks and Micro-Finance Institutions.

M-Pesa agent requirements

The following are the requirements for appointment as an authorized Mpesa agent.

a. Standard requirements

1. Minimum number of agent outlets:
   • Prospective agent must be registered as a limited company or equivalent with at least 3 outlets ready to offer Mpesa under the company names. The company must have traded for a minimum period of 6 months.
   • Proposed outlets shall be audited prior to commencement of business.
2. Minimum Mpesa cash investment:
   • An agent will be expected to avail a minimum of Ksh 100,000 per outlet once application is approved.
   • Successful agents will be required to deposit this money within one month of signing the contract, failure to which the contract shall be revoked.
3. Staff:
   • The agent should preferably employ competent staff with minimum of KCSE to handle the service.
4. Technical requirements:
   • One computer and ancillary equipment with memory of at least 512.
   • At least 2 people to handle head office operations on a day to day basis (may not be on a full-time basis).
   • Internet connectivity with connection speeds acceptable to Safaricom.
   • One printer for printing downloaded reports.
   • Any other items/equipment necessary to conduct the business-like desks chairs, stationery, pens and a pay point.
   • A dedicated Head Office mobile phone number.
   • An official e‐mail contact.
   • An ETR machine.
5. Premises and their maintenance:
   • An Mpesa agent must conform to Safaricom branding and merchandising standards. The minimum branding requirements will be supplied to you on commencement of business.

b. Exceptional requirements

Stand-alone agents:

• Special categories of agents have been identified who may not have the minimum number of outlets required but would be beneficial to Mpesa as agents. These categories are Banks, Forex Bureaus, Hotels, Major Supermarkets, Petrol Stations, Hospitals, Clinics, Convenience store etc.
  • A minimum of one outlet.
  • Minimum float balance of Ksh 200,000 in the head office. Organization ready to avail a minimum of Ksh 200,000 as capital to run Mpesa agency business.

c. Special category

The following circumstances shall be considered for appointment of special agents:

• Remote locations.
• Unique operations (Hospitals, petrol stations, hotels).
• A minimum of one outlet.

d. Mandatory documentation

Applicants must present copies of the documents below certified by a Commissioner for Oaths. The original documents must be presented for verification at the time of handing in the application.

1. Safaricom dealers:
   • Certificate of incorporation.
   • Form CR12 or an equivalent form valid for the last 3 month.
   • Copies of IDS of Office Administrators and Primary Assistants as indicated in the application forms.
   • Completed agent application forms.
2. Non‐Safaricom dealers:
   • Copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association.
   • Copies of VAT and PIN certificate where applicable.
   • List of outlets.
   • Certificate of Incorporation or equivalent – 6 months to current.
   • Form CR12 or an equivalent form valid for the last 3 months.
   • Copies of IDs of Directors or persons playing an equivalent role.
   • Copies of IDS of Office Administrators and Primary Assistants as indicated in the application form.
   • Business permits for each of the outlets.
     • Valid to current year.
     • Bears name of company or director.
   • Police clearance certificate for director’s – current to 6 months or persons in equivalent role, Office administrators and Primary Assistants (excluding banks).
3. Stand-alone agents:
   • Documents as outlined above for Non‐Safaricom dealers.
   • Financial institutions to provide copy of banking license.
4. Special category:

• Documents as outlined above for Non‐Safaricom dealers/NGO’s/Universities & Colleges, foundations and SACCOs:
  • By Laws/Charters/Trust deed where applicable.
  • PIN Certificate.
  • A brief profile of the organization.
  • List of outlets.
  • Certificate of Registration.
  • Form r.14/Annual Returns to the Commission of Co‐operatives (SACCOs).
  • Copies of IDs and Passport photos of Executive Committee members/Directors.
  • Copies of IDs of Office Administrators and Primary Assistants as indicated in the application forms.
  • Completed agent application forms.
  • Business permits for the Head Office and each of the outlets.
  • Police clearance certificate for director’s for Executive Committee members and Primary Assistants – current to 6 months.
  • Introduction letter from the District Co‐operative Officer/Provincial Co‐operative Officer or Registrar of co‐operatives with the names of the Executive Officer valid for the last 3 months (SACCOs).
  • Introduction letter from relevant regulatory bodies where applicable.

How to apply to be an M-Pesa agent

If you want to become an M-Pesa agent you are free to apply. That’s if you meet the basic requirements listed above. You will need to fill the relevant forms listed below and send your application to mpesaagentadmin@safaricom.co.ke.

• Extra Till Application Form.
• Agent Store Application Form.
• Agent Additional Store Application Form.
• Management Till Application Form.
• Agent (Head Office) Application Form.
• Personal Declaration Form.
• The Kenya Police Certificate Of Good Conduct Application.

Note:

• All documents must well be bound.
• Processing of the application will take 23 working days from the application receipt date.
• Submission of forged/fake documents in support of agency applications is a criminal offence and Safaricom Reserves the right to reject any application that does not meet the requirements as above and take such other action as may be necessary in respect thereof.