If you’re a small business owner or an entrepreneur running an informal business in Kenya, you’re likely familiar with Pochi la Biashara. This innovative product by Safaricom was introduced to help business owners separate their personal and business funds by allowing them to register for a dedicated M-PESA account. With Pochi la Biashara, merchants can easily manage and transfer money to and from their business accounts on M-PESA. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to withdraw money from Pochi la Biashara to M-PESA and how you can utilize this service to streamline your business operations.
What is Pochi la Biashara?
Pochi la Biashara is a product designed for informal business owners in Kenya. It allows individuals running small businesses such as food vendors, kiosk owners, boda boda operators, and second-hand clothes dealers to register a separate M-PESA account for business transactions. The key benefit is that it helps to clearly differentiate business funds from personal funds, making it easier to manage and track business income and expenses.
Business owners can use Pochi la Biashara to:
- Receive payments from customers
- Withdraw funds to their personal M-PESA accounts
- Make payments for bills, goods, and services using the M-PESA app or USSD
Key Features of Pochi la Biashara:
- Separation of personal and business funds: A dedicated business account on M-PESA.
- Multiple access channels: Available via USSD (*334#) and the M-PESA Super App.
- Easy transactions: Simple steps for moving money, making payments, and withdrawing funds.
- Airtime purchase: You can purchase airtime for your business phone without paying a commission.
Channels for Accessing Pochi la Biashara
There are two main ways to access and manage your Pochi la Biashara account:
- USSD: Dial *334# to access a menu with various options.
- M-PESA Super App: Use the app for a more streamlined experience with a user-friendly interface.
Both options allow you to move money, withdraw funds, purchase airtime, and make payments to suppliers or service providers.
How to Move Money from Pochi la Biashara to M-PESA
1. Using the M-PESA App
The M-PESA Super App offers an intuitive interface for moving money between Pochi la Biashara and your personal M-PESA account. Here’s how you can transfer funds:
Steps to Move Money from Pochi la Biashara to M-PESA:
- Launch the M-PESA App on your phone.
- Click on the icon at the top left corner of the screen.
- Select Pochi la Biashara from the options.
- Choose Move Money.
- Select Pochi to M-PESA.
- Enter the amount you want to transfer.
- Confirm the transaction details.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the transfer.
Steps to Move Money from M-PESA to Pochi la Biashara:
- Follow the same initial steps as above.
- This time, select M-PESA to Pochi.
- Enter the amount to transfer and confirm.
2. Using USSD (*334#)
If you prefer using USSD, follow these simple steps to move money:
Steps to Move Money from Pochi la Biashara to M-PESA:
- *Dial 334# from your phone.
- Select Pochi la Biashara from the menu.
- Choose Move Money.
- Select Pochi to M-PESA.
- Enter the amount you wish to transfer.
- Confirm the transaction.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the transfer.
Steps to Move Money from M-PESA to Pochi la Biashara:
- Dial *334#.
- Select Pochi la Biashara.
- Choose Move Money.
- Select M-PESA to Pochi.
- Enter the amount and confirm the transaction.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN.
How to Withdraw Funds from Pochi la Biashara
Business owners can withdraw money from their Pochi la Biashara account at any M-PESA agent. The process is simple and quick, just like withdrawing from your regular M-PESA account.
Steps to Withdraw Money from Pochi la Biashara:
- *Dial 334# from your phone.
- Select Pochi la Biashara.
- Choose Withdraw Cash.
- Enter the Agent Number where you want to withdraw the funds.
- Enter your Store Number (if applicable).
- Enter the amount you wish to withdraw.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to confirm the withdrawal.
You can then collect the cash from the agent once the transaction is successful.
How to Buy Airtime for Yourself Using Pochi la Biashara
Purchasing airtime for your personal phone is another great feature of Pochi la Biashara. As a merchant, you can use funds from your business account to buy airtime without incurring any commission fees.
Steps to Buy Airtime for Yourself:
- Dial *334#.
- Select Pochi la Biashara.
- Choose Sell Airtime.
- Select Buy for My Number.
- Enter the amount of airtime you wish to purchase.
- Confirm and accept the transaction.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN.
The process is seamless, and you won’t be charged any commission fees when buying airtime for your personal use.
Using Lipa na Pochi to Make Payments
With Lipa na Pochi, you can make payments to suppliers or service providers directly from your Pochi la Biashara account. This feature is especially useful for paying bills or making purchases without using your personal M-PESA account.
Steps to Pay Using Lipa na Pochi:
1. Using the M-PESA App:
- Launch the M-PESA App on your phone.
- Tap on the icon at the top left corner.
- Select Pochi la Biashara.
- Choose Pay.
- Select Buy Goods or Paybill.
- Enter the Business Number or Till Number of the service provider.
- Enter your Account Number (for Paybill payments).
- Enter the amount you wish to pay.
- Confirm and enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the transaction.
2. Using USSD (*334#):
- *Dial 334# from your phone.
- Select Pochi la Biashara.
- Choose Lipa na Pochi.
- Select Buy Goods or Paybill.
- Enter the Business Number or Till Number.
- Enter your Account Number (if paying a Paybill).
- Enter the amount to pay.
- Confirm and enter your M-PESA PIN.
This feature makes business transactions smooth and efficient.
What is Biashara Smart?
Biashara Smart is a service designed to help business owners manage their mobile data usage while keeping costs low. By purchasing affordable bundles, you can access internet services that are critical for running your business. This service is offered at a subsidized rate to Pochi la Biashara users, making it accessible for small-scale merchants.
How to Access Biashara Smart:
- Dial *334#.
- Select Pochi la Biashara.
- Choose Biashara Smart.
- Select either Daily or Monthly bundles.
- Proceed to purchase using funds in your Pochi la Biashara account.
With Biashara Smart, you can enjoy affordable internet connectivity for your business without worrying about high data costs.
Conclusion
Pochi la Biashara is a game-changing tool for small business owners in Kenya, offering a simple and effective way to separate business finances from personal funds. Whether you’re looking to move money, withdraw cash, buy airtime, or make payments, this service provides a seamless experience through USSD and the M-PESA Super App.
Now that you know how to withdraw money from Pochi la Biashara to M-PESA and make the most out of the various features, it’s time to leverage this service to streamline your business operations and improve financial management.
Are you ready to take control of your business finances? Sign up for Pochi la Biashara today and start enjoying the convenience of managing your business funds with ease. Visit the M-PESA App or dial *334# to get started!