Safaricom has launched a new credit facility targeting small businesses across Kenya, allowing qualifying merchants to access overdrafts to pay suppliers, purchase stock and complete transactions when their M-PESA business wallets run short of funds.
Dubbed Fuliza Ya Pochi, the service extends Safaricom’s existing overdraft ecosystem to eligible users of Pochi La Biashara, with more than one million merchants expected to qualify for the facility.
Announcing the launch in Thika on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Safaricom said the product would help micro-businesses manage cash flow challenges without interrupting daily operations.
The facility allows qualifying merchants to complete business payments despite having insufficient funds in their Pochi La Biashara wallets.
According to the telecommunications company, the overdraft can be used to pay suppliers, make Buy Goods purchases, send money and settle utility bills. However, access is limited to merchants who have actively used Pochi La Biashara for more than six months.
How to Access Fuliza Ya Pochi
Eligible merchants can access the service through the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or by dialling *334#. Upon enrolment, qualifying users will receive an overdraft limit determined by their business activity.
Safaricom said repayments would be automatically deducted from future payments received in the merchant’s Pochi wallet.
The company did not disclose the minimum or maximum credit limits available to merchants or provide details of the applicable borrowing charges in its announcement.
The facility is intended to help businesses bridge temporary cash shortages, particularly when they need to replenish stock or settle outstanding supplier payments before receiving money from customers.
Safaricom Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Ndegwa said the service was designed to address everyday financial challenges facing small businesses.
"Across Kenya, thousands of micro-businesses face daily cash flow gaps that can mean missed sales, delayed stock purchases, or postponed supplier payments," Ndegwa said.
"Fuliza Ya Pochi helps merchants overcome these short-term challenges while continuing to build their businesses. As merchants transact and grow on M-PESA, they create a pathway to greater financial opportunities," he added.
Who Qualifies for the New Credit Facility?
Fuliza Ya Pochi builds on Pochi La Biashara, Safaricom’s platform that allows entrepreneurs and informal traders to receive customer payments separately from their personal M-PESA funds.
The platform currently serves more than two million micro-merchants, according to the company, although the new overdraft facility targets over one million qualifying users.
Merchants should therefore note that using Pochi La Biashara does not automatically guarantee access to Fuliza Ya Pochi. They must meet the stated usage requirement and qualify for a credit limit based on their business activity.
Safaricom introduced Fuliza in 2019 to enable customers to complete M-PESA transactions when their available balances are insufficient. The service was later extended to businesses through Fuliza ya Biashara, which provides overdrafts to qualifying Lipa na M-PESA merchants. Fuliza Ya Pochi now extends the model to entrepreneurs using Pochi La Biashara.
Safaricom Announces Reduced Pochi Transaction Charges
The launch follows additional measures announced by Safaricom to reduce transaction costs for Pochi La Biashara users.
Under the temporary measures, customer payments of up to Ksh200 have been zero-rated, while charges on payments above Ksh200 have been reduced by 50%, subject to a maximum charge of Ksh50. The reductions will apply for three months, according to the company.
While the new overdraft could help merchants address short-term cash shortages, users should consider the applicable borrowing costs and automatic repayment arrangements before relying on the facility.
Safaricom's announcement did not specify the interest rates, fees or penalties, if any, associated with Fuliza Ya Pochi.
The product marks the latest expansion of the company’s mobile financial services as it seeks to extend credit access to small businesses that depend on daily transactions to sustain their operations.
