Part 1 — Registration
Registration takes you through 4 steps:Step 1 — Business
Account type Select Individual — For personal use. Business name Enter the name you want to appear on your payment links and invoices. Intended use Select all that apply:- 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
Step 2 — Personal Details
The following fields are required:
Settlement account
Set up where your payouts are sent:
- Mobile Money
- Bank Account
Settlement details shown automatically:
Arrives same day • Fee: 2% • K15.00 transfer feeOnce your number is entered, Bila resolves and displays your registered account name as confirmation before you continue.
Step 3 — Security
Create your account password:
Click Create Account → to complete registration. You will receive a confirmation email — then log in to begin identity verification.
Part 2 — Identity Verification
After logging in, you will be prompted to verify your identity. Click Start verification to begin — this opens a popup where you first accept the terms and conditions, then proceed through the following steps.1
Applicant Data
Enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your identity document. Any mismatch with the document you submit later will cause a rejection.
2
Email Verification
A 6-digit code is sent to your registered email address. Enter the code to confirm ownership. If you don’t receive it within a minute, check your spam folder or click Resend.
3
Phone Verification
Your registered phone number is verified. Keep your phone nearby and switched on so you can receive the prompt without delay.
4
Identity Document
Upload a clear photo or scan of one of the following accepted documents:
- Driver’s license
- ID card (NRC)
- Residence permit
- Passport
5
Selfie
Take a live photo using your webcam or phone camera so the system can confirm you 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 check is performed against your ID photo.
6
Proof of Address
Upload a document confirming your current residential address. Accepted documents:
- Bank statement dated within the last 90 days
- Residential lease agreement
7
Questionnaire — Bila Merchant Profile
Complete the Bila Merchant Profile questionnaire. One of the key questions is:Is your business formally registered?As an individual merchant, select No, I operate informally. No additional documents are required beyond this point.Answer all remaining questions honestly — your responses are reviewed as part of the verification assessment.
Document & Photo Quality Guide
Poor quality images are the most common reason for verification delays and rejections. Follow these standards to get verified on your first attempt.The rules
1
Use the original physical document
Always photograph the original document — never a photocopy, printed copy, or a photo of a screen. Our system detects scans of scans and will reject them automatically.
2
Capture the entire document
The full document must be visible in the frame — all four corners, all edges. Never crop any part of the document. If it has a front and back, submit both sides.
3
Ensure all text is sharp and readable
Every character — your name, date of birth, document number, expiry date — must be legible at normal size. Zoom in on the photo after taking it and confirm every field is readable before submitting.
4
Use good, even lighting
Photograph in a well-lit space with light coming from the front of the document. Natural daylight works best. Avoid dark rooms and direct overhead lighting that creates harsh shadows.
5
Eliminate glare and reflections
Glare on laminated documents is a common rejection cause. Tilt the document slightly away from the light source to redirect reflections away from the camera. Never use direct flash on a laminated surface.
6
Keep the document flat and still
Place the document on a flat, dark, non-reflective surface. Hold your camera steady or rest your hand to avoid motion blur.
What to avoid
Accepted file formats
Selfie standards
- Look directly at the camera — front-facing, not at an angle
- Your full face must be visible — no hats, sunglasses, scarves, or face coverings
- Use even lighting — no harsh shadows across your face
- Use a plain, light background behind you
- Match your appearance to your ID photo as closely as possible
Verification Status
After submitting, your verification goes into review. You will be notified by email of the outcome.If your verification is rejected, review the rejection reason carefully before resubmitting. Submitting the same documents without addressing the flagged issue will result in another rejection.
What’s Next
Once your verification is approved you will receive a confirmation email. Your account is now fully active and you can:Accept Payments
Start collecting payments from your customers via mobile money.
Create Payment Links
Generate shareable payment links in seconds — no website needed.
Set Up Your Product Store
List your products and start selling through your Bila storefront.
Create Invoices
Send professional invoices to your customers and get paid instantly.
Related
Business Verification
Registering a business? See the business verification guide.
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.