Do I need to register as a business?

For commercial activity, yes. Register at eCitizen Kenya (ecitizen.go.ke) for a Business Name or Limited Company. Cost starts at KSh 1,000 for a Business Name. You also need a KRA PIN for tax.

How do I accept M-Pesa?

GeraMarket handles M-Pesa natively — buyers pay via STK push to your marketplace listings, funds settle into your bank or M-Pesa account weekly after platform fees.

What tax must I pay on online sales?

If turnover is above KSh 5 million annually, VAT at 16% applies. Income tax is due on profit. The Digital Service Tax (DST) applies to marketplaces, not individual sellers. Small sellers below VAT threshold pay only income tax.

Which logistics partner should I use?

Sendy, Glovo, Fargo, and Bolt all provide e-commerce delivery in Kenya. GeraMarket integrates with Sendy and Glovo for label generation and discounted rates.

How to Sell Online in Kenya: Seller Guide for 2026

Selling online from Kenya in 2026 is a well-documented process: register a Business Name at eCitizen, get a KRA PIN, list on a marketplace that handles M-Pesa natively, and deliver via Sendy or Glovo. Kenya's M-Pesa penetration is close to 100% among adult smartphone users, which makes online checkout easier than in almost any other African market.

How do I register?

Go to eCitizen Kenya (ecitizen.go.ke) and register as either:

Business Name: KSh 1,000 fee, simplest, sole trader structure
Limited Company: KSh 10,000+ registration, separate legal entity, limited liability

You also need a KRA PIN (free to obtain) and, if turnover exceeds KSh 5 million annually, VAT registration.

How do M-Pesa payments work for online sellers?

Safaricom offers several merchant options: Paybill (dedicated number for business), Till Number (lipa na M-Pesa), and direct STK push via API. GeraMarket handles all of these — buyers tap to pay, funds are held in escrow, and you receive weekly settlements to your bank or registered M-Pesa business account.

What does delivery look like?

Sendy: same-day and scheduled deliveries across Kenyan cities
Glovo: quick urban delivery in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu
Fargo Courier: long-distance between Kenyan towns
G4S, DHL, FedEx: international and high-value
Matatu/courier by hand: for provincial routes, informal but widely used for lower-value items

What tax applies to online sellers?

Income tax: progressive rates on net profit — 10% up to KSh 288k, up to 35% above KSh 800k annually
VAT: 16% above KSh 5m turnover threshold
Digital Service Tax: 1.5% on the platform (GeraMarket handles this; individual sellers below the DST scope are not affected)
Turnover tax: 1% on businesses with turnover between KSh 1m and KSh 50m (alternative to income tax — check with KRA which regime suits)

What marketplaces should I list on?

GeraMarket: 3–8% commission, M-Pesa native, Kenya + cross-border diaspora
Jumia Kenya: the largest local competitor, 5–15% commission
Kilimall: strong in electronics
Copia: rural-focused, different model
Facebook Marketplace: free but no buyer protection

What sells well from Kenya?

Fashion: kitenge, leather, beadwork
Beauty: shea butter, coconut oil, natural hair products
Coffee and tea (particularly for diaspora)
Handicrafts: soapstone, baskets, jewellery
Home goods and decor with African aesthetic
Electronics and phone accessories (domestic)
Books, educational content

Can I sell to the diaspora?

Yes. The Kenyan diaspora in the US, UK, and Gulf states is substantial; authentic Kenyan products (coffee, craft, leather goods) command a premium. GeraMarket handles DHL/FedEx labels and customs paperwork on cross-border orders.