Safaricom has launched enhanced credit solutions targeting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Kenya, expanding financial access for businesses previously underserved by traditional banking systems.
The telecommunications giant unveiled two key products today: Fuliza Biashara, an overdraft facility, and Taasi Till, a term loan solution. These digital credit offerings hope to address the critical financing gap faced by Kenya’s entrepreneurial sector.
Fuliza Biashara enables Lipa na M-PESA merchants to access multiple overdrafts ranging from KES 1,000 to KES 400,000 based on their assigned limit.
A key improvement in this revamped offering is the flexible repayment structure, which recovers funds only when there’s cash flow on the merchant’s till, ensuring business operations continue uninterrupted.
For businesses using Pochi la Biashara, Safaricom has introduced Taasi Pochi, providing credit from KES 1,000 to KES 250,000. These funds are immediately available on the user’s Pochi wallet and can be accessed through the M-PESA App or USSD *334*8#.
The Taasi Till solution targets established businesses requiring short-term financing, offering loans between KES 1,500 and KES 250,000 based on eligibility criteria.
“Businesses play a pivotal role in Kenya’s economy and make a significant impact in our communities. Leveraging the power of technology, Taasi will offer convenience and access to credit for MSMEs, allowing them to focus on scaling their businesses,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, Group CEO of Safaricom.
To qualify for these credit facilities, merchants must have maintained active tills or Pochi wallets for more than six months. Once approved, funds are deposited directly into the user’s M-PESA wallet with flexible repayment periods ranging from 14 to 30 days.
The solutions are accessible through digital channels including the M-PESA Business App and USSD code *234#, eliminating paperwork and lengthy approval processes typical of traditional lending.
This initiative forms part of Safaricom’s larger strategy to leverage its extensive mobile money infrastructure to promote financial inclusion.
By digitizing credit access, the company aims to reach Kenya’s vast informal sector, which contributes substantially to employment but often lacks access to formal financial services.
Financial analysts note that limited access to credit remains one of the primary barriers to growth for small businesses in Kenya.
With these solutions, Safaricom is addressing this gap while potentially increasing transaction volumes on its M-PESA platform, which has been a major revenue driver for the company.
The company expects these credit facilities to particularly benefit traders, small retailers, and service providers who require working capital to maintain inventory, manage cash flow gaps, and fund business expansion.
This development comes as Kenya’s digital lending landscape continues to evolve, with mobile-based credit increasingly becoming the preferred financing option for small enterprises due to convenience and reduced bureaucracy.
