Fuliza Loans by Safaricom M-Pesa is an overdraft facility that allows customers to complete transactions even when their M-Pesa balance is insufficient. It was introduced as a partnership between Safaricom, NCBA Bank, and KCB Bank to help users conveniently pay bills, send money, or buy goods even when short of cash.
In this guide, we cover how Fuliza works, how to borrow via USSD, loan limits, interest rates, repayment period, and most importantly – how to repay Fuliza loans.
How Fuliza Loans Work
Unlike other loan apps where you request cash, Fuliza is an automatic overdraft. This means:
- If you try to send money, pay for goods, or buy airtime but your account balance is less than the amount required, Fuliza steps in and covers the difference.
- The money is then deducted automatically from your next M-Pesa deposit until your Fuliza balance is cleared.
How to Borrow from Fuliza via USSD *234#
To access Fuliza, you must first opt-in. Here’s how:
- Dial *234# on your Safaricom line.
- Select Fuliza M-Pesa.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- You will receive an SMS confirming your Fuliza limit.
From there, every time you transact on M-Pesa with insufficient balance, Fuliza will automatically top up the shortfall up to your approved limit.
Fuliza Loan Limits
- Minimum limit: Ksh 1
- Maximum limit: Over Ksh 70,000 (varies per user based on M-Pesa usage and repayment history).
- Limits increase gradually if you use M-Pesa frequently and repay Fuliza on time.
Fuliza Interest Rates and Charges
Fuliza does not have a one-off interest rate like typical loans. Instead, it charges:
- Access fee of 1% of the amount borrowed.
- Daily maintenance fee depending on the borrowed amount:
- Ksh 0 – 100: No daily charges.
- Ksh 101 – 500: Ksh 5 per day.
- Ksh 501 – 1,000: Ksh 10 per day.
- Ksh 1,001 – 1,500: Ksh 20 per day.
- Ksh 1,501 – 2,500: Ksh 25 per day.
- Ksh 2,501 – 70,000: Ksh 30 per day.
Fuliza Repayment Period
- Fuliza is meant to be a short-term facility.
- Repayment is automatic – the next time you receive money in your M-Pesa account, Safaricom deducts the owed amount first before you can use your balance.
- If you fail to repay within 30 days, your Fuliza limit may be suspended until you clear your debt.
How to Repay Fuliza Loans
Since Fuliza deducts automatically, repayment is straightforward:
- Deposit money into your M-Pesa account – Any incoming funds will first go toward repaying your Fuliza balance.
- Example: If you owe Ksh 500 Fuliza and deposit Ksh 1,000, Ksh 500 will clear Fuliza and you remain with Ksh 500 usable balance.
- Receive money from another person – If someone sends you funds, Fuliza will be deducted immediately.
- Business payments – If you receive payments (e.g., from customers), the system will still deduct the outstanding Fuliza first.
- Partial repayments – If the deposit is less than what you owe, it reduces the Fuliza balance and the remaining is deducted next time you top up.
Note: You cannot repay Fuliza via Paybill or direct loan repayment menu. The only way to repay is by depositing money into M-Pesa or receiving funds.
FAQs on Fuliza Loans
1. Can I opt out of Fuliza?
Yes. Dial *234#, select Fuliza, then choose the opt-out option.
2. How can I increase my Fuliza limit?
- Use M-Pesa regularly.
- Repay Fuliza on time.
- Maintain a good Safaricom usage history (calls, data, SMS, and M-Pesa transactions).
3. What happens if I don’t repay Fuliza?
- Your Fuliza limit is frozen until you repay.
- Persistent non-repayment may affect your CRB status since Fuliza is backed by NCBA and KCB Bank.
4. Can I withdraw Fuliza as cash?
No. Fuliza only covers transactions such as sending money, Lipa na M-Pesa, and airtime purchase. You cannot withdraw it directly at an agent.
5. Does Fuliza have a fixed repayment date?
No fixed date, but you should repay within 30 days to keep your limit active.
Final Thoughts
Fuliza M-Pesa is a convenient overdraft facility that helps Kenyans complete urgent transactions when short of cash. Repayment is automatic – simply deposit money into your M-Pesa account and Fuliza will deduct its dues. To enjoy higher limits and avoid penalties, always repay on time and use M-Pesa actively