Kenyans borrowed a staggering Ksh 629.2 billion through Safaricom’s Fuliza service in the six months leading up to November 2025, reflecting a 39.8 per cent increase from the same period last year.

The surge highlights the growing reliance on short-term mobile credit to meet daily financial needs.

Launched in 2019, Fuliza allows M-Pesa users to complete transactions even when their wallet balance is insufficient.

Each user has an assigned overdraft limit based on their transaction history and M-Pesa activity.

The service, offered in partnership with NCBA and KCB Bank, covers shortfalls for money transfers, withdrawals, payments, or airtime purchases.

Any funds received in the user’s account automatically repay the Fuliza loan, including interest and fees.

According to Safaricom’s half-year financial results, the number of active Fuliza users rose 22.2 per cent to 9.1 million, up from 7.5 million the previous year. The average loan size also increased by 7.8 per cent, from KSh 236.20 to KSh 254.60.

Safaricom charges a one-off 1 per cent access fee and a daily maintenance fee ranging from Ksh1 to Ksh30, depending on the loan amount.

Despite the rapid growth, only 17.8 per cent of Safaricom’s 51.12 million active customers in the 90-day period currently use Fuliza.

Why Fuliza is popular

The convenience of instant digital credit has made Fuliza a lifeline for many Kenyans. Users can transact even when funds are low, avoiding failed payments or declined transactions.

The service accounts for 59 per cent of Safaricom’s credit revenue and grew by 35 per cent year-on-year, driven by affordable pricing and enhanced credit limits.

“The results reflect a disciplined execution of our strategy and a relentless focus on our customers,” Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said.

While Fuliza continues to dominate digital credit usage, other Safaricom financial services have shown mixed performance.

The M-Shwari platform, for instance, recorded growth in user numbers but saw a slight decline in total disbursements and average loan size.

Monthly active users rose 17.6 per cent to 7.9 million, while total disbursements dipped 1.8 per cent to Ksh48 billion from Ksh48.9 billion the previous year.

Safaricom’s growing financial services business contributed to an overall strong first half of 2025.

The company posted a post-tax profit of Ksh42.8 billion, up 52.1 per cent from Ksh28.1 billion in 2024. Service revenue grew 11.1 per cent to Ksh199.98 billion, with earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) rising 54.5 per cent to Ksh 65.28 billion.