- Safaricom launched Fuliza Ya Pochi on October 22, 2026, in Thika, targeting over one million eligible Pochi La Biashara merchants
- The overdraft service, offered in partnership with Sidian Bank, activates automatically when a merchant's Pochi wallet balance falls short
- Merchants who fail to repay within 30 days risk suspension of the service and potential listing with the Credit Reference Bureau after 91 days
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Safaricom has introduced Fuliza Ya Pochi, an overdraft facility for Pochi La Biashara merchants that automatically covers transactions when a business wallet runs short of funds.
Source: Twitter
The service, launched in partnership with Sidian Bank as the financier, was unveiled in Thika on October 22, 2026, and is immediately available to merchants who have held an active Pochi La Biashara account for at least six months.
Safaricom Group CEO Peter Ndegwa described the product as a direct response to cash-flow challenges facing small traders.
"We are very excited as Safaricom to be launching Fuliza Ya Pochi, which is a credit product for all our Pochi customers," Ndegwa said.
The company says more than one million merchants currently qualify, out of a total Pochi customer base of 3.3 million.
How to sign up for Fuliza Ya Pochi
Merchants can enrol either through the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or via USSD.
- Dial *334# from the Pochi wallet number.
- Select option 8 – Pochi la Biashara.
- Select option 1 – Join Pochi Fuliza.
- Accept the Terms & Conditions.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN to confirm.
A confirmation message will follow, indicating the credit limit assigned to the account.
Once active, the overdraft covers buy goods till payments to suppliers, money transfers to mobile numbers, and utility bill settlements via Paybill.
The facility triggers automatically when a transaction exceeds the available wallet balance, prompting the merchant to approve or decline the shortfall before the payment proceeds.
Fees, repayment, and consequences of default
Fuliza Ya Pochi charges a one-off 1% interest fee on the overdrawn amount.
A daily maintenance fee then applies after a 48-hour grace period, structured in tiers ranging from KSh 0 for balances of KSh 100 and below up to KSh 30 per day for amounts between KSh 2,501 and KSh 70,000.
Repayment is automatic, with incoming Pochi payments deducted progressively until the balance is cleared, and the full amount must be settled within 30 days.
Merchants who miss the repayment deadline face a suspension of overdraft access, a reduction in their credit limit, and potential listing with the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) if the debt remains outstanding 91 days past the due date.
Those who clear outstanding balances can resume using the service and may qualify for higher limits based on consistent transactional activity.
Safaricom addresses KSh 100 Fuliza limit
In other news on TUKO.co.ke, Safaricom clarified that Fuliza overdraft limits do not increase automatically.
The explanation followed a customer’s complaint on X that his limit had remained at KSh 100 despite regularly using his Safaricom line.
The company noted that poor repayment records, adverse Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) listings and outstanding mobile loans can affect credit limits.
Customers seeking higher limits were advised to repay Fuliza and other mobile loans promptly, maintain a clean CRB record, build savings through M-Shwari and KCB M-PESA, and continue using Safaricom’s financial services responsibly.
Safaricom also said customers can request a monthly limit review by dialling *334#, selecting option 00 for Fuliza M-PESA and choosing “Refresh My Limit,” although the automated review is conducted at the bank’s discretion and does not guarantee an increase.
Source: TUKO.co.ke