Wallet and top-ups

How the prepaid wallet works, reserved funds, top-ups and refunds for undelivered messages.

Sauti runs on a prepaid messaging wallet. Sends, number-status checks, supporter verification and other paid services are charged to it. Open Finance › Wallet.

Reading your balance#

When a send is released, its estimated cost moves to reserved. As messages are delivered, the actual cost is charged and any unused reservation returns to available.

Topping up#

All top-ups are paid to Sauti's own collection accounts and credited to your wallet automatically.

M-PESA Paybill#

The Wallet page shows the exact steps for your organisation:

1. Open M-PESA and choose Lipa na M-PESA › Pay Bill.
2. Enter the business number shown on the page.
3. Enter the account number shown on the page.
4. Enter at least the minimum amount shown, then your PIN.

Your balance updates within seconds of the M-PESA confirmation.

M-PESA prompt or card#

Prefer an M-PESA prompt on a phone, or a card or bank payment? Create a payment link for your own organisation and pay it.

Bank transfer#

For large top-ups by bank transfer:

1. A finance user records the transfer: reference, amount, date and proof (a scan of the bank slip). The proof is scanned and encrypted.
2. A second finance user approves it.
3. The wallet is credited once, with a ledger entry and a receipt. Duplicate references are rejected.

Refunds for undelivered messages#

When a message finally fails to deliver (rejected, expired or undelivered), Sauti credits your wallet according to your plan's refund policy, once, with a ledger entry. Refunds show in wallet activity and on the send's progress.

Receipts#

Every successful top-up has a Receipt download in Recent top-ups. Receipts show your staff payer's details, because a top-up is an internal action.

Running low#

Watch the projected balance in the composer's review step. If an invoice stays unpaid past its grace period, the Sauti team's policy may pause sending until it is paid. See Invoices.