Safaricom Launches Fuliza Ya Pochi Credit Facility for Over One Million Merchants

Safaricom has launched Fuliza Ya Pochi, a new credit facility targeting more than one million qualifying Pochi La Biashara merchants, allowing small businesses to access overdrafts to meet daily operating expenses.

The service, announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026, extends the telecommunications company’s M-PESA credit ecosystem to micro-merchants who may experience cash-flow shortages while running their businesses.

Through Fuliza Ya Pochi, eligible traders can complete business transactions even when their Pochi La Biashara wallet balance is insufficient. The facility allows them to pay suppliers, make Buy Goods purchases, send money and settle utility bills.

Safaricom Group Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the product was designed to help small businesses manage short-term financial gaps that can disrupt stock purchases, supplier payments and sales.

“Across Kenya, thousands of micro-businesses face daily cash flow gaps that can mean missed sales, delayed stock purchases, or postponed supplier payments. Fuliza Ya Pochi helps merchants overcome these short-term challenges while continuing to build their businesses,” Ndegwa said.

He added that merchants’ activity on M-PESA could help create pathways to further financial opportunities as their businesses grow.

To qualify, merchants must have actively used Pochi La Biashara for more than six months. Eligible users can access the service through the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or by dialling *334#.

Upon enrolment, qualifying merchants will receive an overdraft limit determined by their business activity. Repayments will be deducted automatically from future payments received in their Pochi wallets.

Pochi La Biashara enables entrepreneurs and informal businesses to receive customer payments while keeping business funds separate from personal money. Safaricom says the platform currently serves more than two million micro-merchants.

The launch expands Safaricom’s existing Fuliza services, which began in 2019 by allowing M-PESA customers to complete transactions despite insufficient account balances. The company later introduced Fuliza ya Biashara for qualifying Lipa na M-PESA merchants.

Fuliza Ya Pochi now extends the overdraft model to merchants using Pochi La Biashara, targeting businesses that need short-term financing to maintain day-to-day operations.

The announcement also follows recent changes to Pochi La Biashara transaction charges. Safaricom said customer payments of up to Sh200 had been zero-rated, while charges on payments above Sh200 had been reduced by 50 per cent, subject to a maximum charge of Sh50, for three months.

The new facility could provide merchants with additional flexibility when managing temporary cash shortages. However, access to credit also creates repayment obligations, and the overdraft limits, applicable fees and terms will be important considerations for businesses deciding whether to use the service.

Safaricom said the launch forms part of its broader effort to make financial services more accessible and responsive to the needs of individuals and businesses across Kenya.