Safaricom launches Fuliza Ya Pochi to boost credit access for small businesses

Safaricom has launched Fuliza Ya Pochi, a new overdraft facility targeting micro-businesses, allowing eligible Pochi La Biashara merchants to access credit to sustain operations when their business wallets have insufficient funds.

The service, launched at Makongeni Market in Thika on October 22, 2026, will enable qualifying merchants to complete transactions, pay suppliers, purchase goods, send money and settle utility bills even when their Pochi wallets have insufficient balances.

Safaricom Group CEO Peter Ndegwa said the facility is intended to help small businesses manage cash flow challenges and maintain their operations without losing sales due to a lack of working capital.

“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 facility will be available to eligible merchants who have actively used Pochi La Biashara for more than six months.

Credit limits will be determined by business activity, with repayments automatically deducted from subsequent payments received into their Pochi wallets.

Merchants can access the service through the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or by dialling *334#.

Ndegwa said Safaricom would continue reviewing the service to ensure eligible merchants can access credit through their business wallets.

"Fuliza Ya Pochi allows all the 3.3 million customers to be eligible for credit, the same way Fuliza is serving 17 million customers today on the individual side, and we continue to review so that customers who are Pochi users can access credit,” he added.

The launch comes as Safaricom expands its digital lending services, building on the Fuliza overdraft facility introduced in 2019 and the subsequent rollout of Fuliza ya Biashara for qualifying Lipa na M-Pesa merchants.

Pochi La Biashara currently serves more than two million micro-merchants, enabling them to receive customer payments while keeping business funds separate from personal money.

One of the traders who welcomed the new facility was Grace Wambui, who said access to credit would help her replenish stock and keep her business running.

“As a businesswoman, I am very happy that Safaricom has introduced Fuliza Ya Pochi because I will now be able to borrow through the service and restock my business. This will help my business continue running smoothly,” Wambui said.

The launch also follows Safaricom’s recent measures to lower transaction costs for customers.

The company introduced zero charges on customer payments of up to Ksh.200 and a 50 per cent reduction in charges on payments above Ksh.200, capped at Ksh.50, for three months.

Through Fuliza Ya Pochi, Safaricom is seeking to extend short-term credit access to small businesses that rely on daily sales to finance stock purchases and meet operating expenses.