KYC Requirements

Identity verification keeps the store safe for buyers and makes sure your payouts go to the right person. Here is exactly what we ask for, and why.

What KYC is and why we do it

KYC stands for "Know Your Customer". It is a standard check used by every regulated payments platform to confirm that the person receiving money is who they say they are. Vwaza handles real money on your behalf, holds it in escrow, and pays it out to mobile money or a bank account, so we are required by anti-money-laundering (AML) rules to verify the seller behind every payout.

It also protects you. Without KYC, anyone could impersonate you and divert your sales.

ID requirements

Accepted ID

  • Malawian National ID. This is the only ID we accept at launch.
  • Photo must show all four corners of the card.
  • Photo must be in colour, well-lit, and not blurry.
  • All text must be readable, including the ID number, your name, and your date of birth.
  • Do not crop, edit, or filter the image.

Take the photo on your phone

Lay the ID on a dark, flat surface, hold your phone directly above it, and tap to focus before taking the picture. Daylight near a window works best.

Selfie (optional)

You can optionally upload a selfie of yourself holding your National ID next to your face. This is not required, but it usually shortens review time because it removes any doubt that the person applying is the person on the ID.

Banking and payout details

Pick the payout method you want Vwaza to use. The account holder name must match the name on your National ID exactly. Mismatches are the most common reason an application gets sent back.

Mobile money

  • Airtel Money
  • TNM Mpamba
  • You will be asked for your registered mobile number.

Bank accounts

  • Most major Malawian banks are supported (Standard Bank, NBS, FDH, National Bank, etc.).
  • You will be asked for the bank, branch, account number, and account holder name.

What we do with your data

How your KYC documents are handled

  • Documents are uploaded directly to Vwaza's secure storage using server-issued upload links. They are not visible to other users.
  • Your account number is masked everywhere except where it must be used to disburse a payout.
  • Only authorised Vwaza Trust & Safety staff can view your documents during review.
  • Your data is never sold or shared with third parties for marketing.
  • You can request deletion of your KYC documents by contacting Vwaza Support after closing your store.

If your application is rejected

Rejection is not the end of the road. We will email you the specific reason. The most common ones are:

Common reasons for rejection

  • Blurry, dark, or partially-cropped ID photo.
  • The name on your payout account does not match your ID.
  • You do not yet have a published audio release on Vwaza Music.
  • The mobile number on your mobile money account is not registered to you.

Once you have fixed the issue, you can re-submit straight away. There is no penalty for re-applying.

Need help?

If you are not sure why you were rejected or how to fix it, contact us via support and a real person will help.