1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Selling airtime, data and electricity: from your first float to your first commission

Sell prepaid airtime, data and electricity from your phone, a small device or your shop counter, and earn a small commission on each sale. This guide covers published commission rates in South Africa (including Vodacom's full list), device costs, float management, a worked example and a 14-day plan to your first commissions.

  • 23 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 2 hours
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • You already have people coming to you: a spaza, salon, stall, taxi rank spot or busy street.
  • You can keep a float of a few hundred rand topped up.
  • You are careful with numbers and cash.

Think twice if

  • You need a big income from this alone. Commission per sale is a few percent.
  • You can't keep cash safe.

Honest expectations

  • You can make your first commission within days of setting up.
  • Commissions are small: Vodacom lists 3.5% on Vodacom airtime and data and 1.2% on prepaid electricity. FNB says Flash pays up to 9% on some products.
  • This works best as an add-on that brings customers to an existing business.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How reselling airtime, data and electricity worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Set up step by step: ready for your first sale6 min (in the full guide)
    3. Commission rates: real figures5 min (in the full guide)
    4. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Start with a small float3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Put up a sign and tell your customers3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to tell5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Your 14-day first-commission playbook6 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Record every sale and float top-up3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Check which products sell most3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Common mistakes when reselling prepaid4 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Ask for better rates or compare providers3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Add one product customers ask for3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Free resources to fill your skill gaps4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Handling cash and float safely, and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Tax: what to put aside, with worked examples6 min (in the full guide)
    7. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

ItemCostNote
Starting float for salesR200 to R500You get it back as you sell. Start small.
Device (if needed): VodaPay Kwika R599 to R799 (optional)R0 to R799App-based options exist; Kazang has an Android app.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 26 April 2027.