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KYB — Business Verification

Getting started on Bila as a business is a two-part process. First you complete registration to create your account, then you log in and complete KYB (Know Your Business) verification before you can collect or send money. Every document submitted is manually reviewed by the Bila compliance team.
You will not be able to collect or send money until your KYB verification is complete. Start verification as soon as your account is created, and gather your business documents in advance to avoid delays.

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What You Need Before You Start

During verification you’ll be asked whether your business is formally registered. The documents you need depend on your answer:
If your business is not formally registered, you’ll complete verification as an individual merchant instead — the documents above won’t apply to you. See the Individual Verification guide.
You’ll also need a government-issued identity document (driver’s license, ID card, residence permit, or passport) for the primary account holder and a proof of business address document — see Part 2 — KYB Verification below.

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Part 1 — Registration

Registration takes you through 4 steps:

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Step 1 — Business

Account type Select Business — For a company or organization. Business name Enter your registered business name — this is the name that will appear on your payment links, invoices, and your public store if you use one. Intended use Select all that apply to how your business plans to use Bila:
  • Accept payments on my own website
  • Use Bila’s product store
  • Receive bank transfers directly
  • Get paid by sharing payment links
  • Track and manage business expenses
  • Use Bila’s suite of APIs
Click Continue → to proceed.

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Step 2 — Personal Details

Enter the personal information of the primary account holder — the person completing the registration on behalf of the business: Settlement account Set up where your business payouts are sent:
Settlement details shown automatically:
Arrives same day • Fee: 2% • K15.00 transfer fee
Once your number is entered, Bila resolves and displays the registered account name as confirmation before you continue.
Click Continue → to proceed to the Security step. Verification happens separately, after you log in.

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Step 3 — Security

Create the account password for the primary account holder: Click Create Account → to complete registration. You’ll receive a confirmation email — then log in to begin KYB verification.
Already have an account? Click Log In at the bottom of any registration screen.

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Part 2 — KYB Verification

After logging in, click Start verification to begin. This opens a popup where you first accept the terms and conditions, then proceed through the following steps.
At any point during verification you can tap Continue on phone to switch to your mobile device. This is strongly recommended for document capture and the selfie check — phone cameras produce better results than most laptop cameras.
1

Applicant Data

Enter the primary account holder’s personal information exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID. This is matched against the identity document submitted later in this flow — any mismatch will cause a rejection.
2

Email Verification

A 6-digit code is sent to the registered business email address. Enter the code to confirm ownership of the email. If you don’t receive it within a minute, check your spam folder or click Resend.
3

Phone Verification

The registered phone number is verified. Keep your phone nearby and switched on so the verification prompt arrives without delay.
4

Identity Document

Upload a clear photo or scan of the primary account holder’s identity document — one of:
  • Driver’s license
  • ID card
  • Residence permit
  • Passport
The document must be valid, undamaged, and not expired. See the Document & Photo Quality Guide below before uploading.
5

Selfie

The primary account holder takes a live photo using their webcam or phone camera so our system can confirm they are the person in the identity document. You must be well-lit, facing the camera directly, with no hat, sunglasses, or face covering. An automated liveness check is performed.
6

Proof of Address

Upload a document confirming your registered business address. Accepted documents:
  • Utility bill in the company’s name (dated within the last 90 days)
  • Bank statement in the company’s name (dated within the last 90 days)
  • Lease agreement in the company’s name
The document must clearly display the company’s legal entity name and registered address. Personal address documents are not accepted for business verification.
7

Questionnaire — Bila Merchant Profile

Complete the Bila Merchant Profile questionnaire, covering your business’s nature of operations, industry, expected transaction volumes, and source of funds.The key question, which determines which additional documents you’re asked to upload, is:Is your business formally registered? *
  • Yes, registered with PACRA (Zambia) — upload the PACRA certificate, Tax Clearance certificate, PACRA Form 3, and ID of each UBO
  • Yes, registered in another country — upload the Certificate of Incorporation (or equivalent), an ownership or shareholding document, and ID of each UBO
  • No, I operate informally — you’ll continue as an individual merchant instead; see Individual Verification
These responses and documents are reviewed manually by the Bila compliance team — incomplete or inconsistent answers will delay your approval.

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Document & Photo Quality Guide

Poor quality documents are the most common cause of KYB delays and rejections. Follow these standards carefully — every document is reviewed manually by the compliance team.

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The rules

1

Submit original documents only

Always upload original documents or certified true copies. Photocopies, screenshots, and photos taken of a screen are not accepted and will be rejected immediately by our automated system.
2

Submit complete documents — all pages

Every document must be submitted in full. Do not submit only the first page of multi-page documents like the PACRA Certificate or Certificate of Incorporation. Missing pages are a common cause of rejection.
3

Ensure all text is sharp and readable

Every character — company name, registration number, date, signatures — must be clearly legible. Zoom in on uploaded images before submitting and confirm every field is readable.
4

Use good, even lighting for photos

Photograph documents in a well-lit space with light coming from the front. Natural daylight produces the best results. Avoid dark rooms and direct overhead lighting that creates shadows across the document.
5

Eliminate glare and reflections

Glare on laminated documents is a common rejection cause. Tilt the document slightly to redirect reflections away from the camera. Never use direct flash on a laminated surface.
6

Keep documents flat and the camera steady

Place documents on a flat, dark, non-reflective surface. Hold your camera steady or use a document scanner for the cleanest results. Motion blur makes text unreadable.

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What to avoid

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Accepted file formats

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Selfie standards for the primary account holder

  • Look directly at the camera — front-facing, not at an angle
  • Your full face must be clearly visible — no hats, sunglasses, scarves, or face coverings
  • Use even lighting — no harsh shadows across your face
  • Use a plain, light background behind you
  • Your appearance should match your ID photo as closely as possible

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KYB Verification Status

After submitting, your verification enters manual compliance review. You will be notified by email of the outcome.
KYB review is manual and typically takes 1–2 business days. Submitting incomplete or poor quality documents will extend this timeline. Ensure everything is complete before submitting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does KYB verification take? KYB requires manual review by the compliance team and typically takes 1–2 business days from the time all required documents are submitted correctly. Do I need to register with PACRA before I can sign up? No. You can create your Bila account and complete registration regardless of where — or whether — your business is registered. During the verification questionnaire you’ll be asked whether your business is registered with PACRA (Zambia), registered in another country, or operates informally, and the documents you’re asked to upload depend on that answer. If you operate informally, you’ll complete verification as an individual merchant instead — see Individual Verification. What is UBO documentation and when do I need it? A UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) is any individual who owns or controls the business. If your business is registered — with PACRA or in another country — you’ll need to provide a government-issued ID for each UBO as part of the verification questionnaire. If ownership is held through another company, the full ownership chain should be documented. Can I continue verification on my phone? Yes. At any point in the verification flow, tap Continue on phone to switch devices. This is recommended for document capture and the selfie check. Why was my document rejected? The most common reasons are: only the first page of a multi-page document was submitted, the document was a photocopy rather than an original, text was blurry or cropped, or the document was not in the company’s legal name. Review the rejection reason in detail before resubmitting. Can I update my settlement account after registration? Yes. You can add, edit, or change your settlement accounts at any time from Settlements → Settlement Accounts. See Wallets & Settlements for full details.

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What’s Next

Once your KYB verification is approved you will receive a confirmation email. Your business account is now fully active and you can:

Accept Payments

Start collecting payments from your customers via mobile money.

Set Up Your Product Store

List your products and start selling through your Bila storefront.

Create Invoices

Send professional invoices to your customers and track payment status.

Manage Your Team

Add team members and assign access controls for your business account.

KYC — Individual Verification

Registering as an individual, or operating informally? See the KYC verification guide instead.

KYC Statuses

Understand your verification status and what each one means.

Wallets & Settlements

Set up and manage your settlement accounts after verification.

Report a Bug

Something not working during verification? Report it directly from your dashboard.