Fuliza has become one of Kenya’s most relied-upon digital overdraft solutions, allowing millions of users to complete M-PESA transactions even when their account balance is insufficient. The service is offered by Safaricom in partnership with NCBA Bank, with Safaricom providing the mobile platform and NCBA acting as the lender.
According to Safaricom’s half-year financial results released in November 2025, over 9.1 million Kenyans actively use Fuliza, underscoring its importance in day-to-day digital payments. The product enables users to send money, pay bills, buy airtime, or pay for goods and services even when their M-PESA balance runs low, with any shortfall automatically covered up to a personalized limit.
For merchants, Fuliza ya Biashara extends similar overdraft support to Lipa Na M-PESA till owners, ensuring business transactions go through even when the till balance is insufficient.
How to Check Your Fuliza Eligibility
Before using Fuliza, you must first opt in and confirm your eligibility. Safaricom evaluates eligibility based on factors such as M-PESA usage, transaction history, and repayment behavior.
To check and activate Fuliza eligibility:
Dial *334# on your Safaricom line.
Accept the Fuliza terms and conditions.
You will receive an SMS confirming whether you are eligible and indicating your Fuliza limit, or informing you that your current limit is zero.
How to Check Your Fuliza Limit
Once opted in, you can check your available Fuliza limit at any time.
Dial *334#.
Select Fuliza M-PESA.
Choose Check My Limit.
Your screen will display your current Fuliza borrowing limit.
How to Access Fuliza Through the M-PESA SIM Toolkit
One of the most common ways to use Fuliza is through the M-PESA SIM Toolkit or Safaricom menu on your phone.
Open the SIM Toolkit or Safaricom menu.
Select M-PESA.
Choose the service you want to use, such as Send Money, Buy Airtime, or Lipa Na M-PESA (Paybill, Buy Goods and Services, or Pochi la Biashara).
If your balance is insufficient, you will automatically receive a prompt asking whether you want to use Fuliza to complete the transaction. Confirming this allows the transaction to proceed without topping up your account.
How to Access Fuliza Using the USSD Code (*334#)
Fuliza can also be accessed directly via the USSD menu, which mirrors the SIM Toolkit functionality.
Dial *334# to open the M-PESA menu.
Proceed with any transaction such as sending money, paying bills, or buying goods.
If your balance is too low, the system will prompt you to use Fuliza to cover the shortfall. This option works on both smartphones and basic feature phones, making Fuliza widely accessible.
Fuliza Tariffs and Daily Maintenance Fees
Fuliza charges are structured based on the amount borrowed, with a daily maintenance fee applied depending on the tariff band.
For amounts between 1 and 100, there is no daily fee.
For 101 to 500, the service is free for the first three days, after which a daily fee of Ksh 2.50 applies.
For 501 to 1,000, the first three days are free, followed by a daily fee of Ksh 5.00.
For 1,001 to 1,500, a daily maintenance fee of Ksh 18.00 applies.
For 1,501 to 2,500, the daily fee is Ksh 20.00.
For amounts between 2,501 and 70,000, the daily maintenance fee is Ksh 25.00.
These charges accrue daily until the Fuliza amount is fully repaid, usually through incoming M-PESA funds.
Important Things to Know About Using Fuliza
Fuliza is automatically repaid once money is received into your M-PESA account. Users are encouraged to repay promptly to avoid accumulating daily charges and to improve future borrowing limits.
Safaricom advises users to borrow responsibly and only when necessary. Consistent repayment and active M-PESA usage can help increase Fuliza limits over time.
Fuliza’s Role in Kenya’s Digital Economy
Speaking previously on Safaricom’s digital credit products, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa has emphasized the role of services like Fuliza in driving financial inclusion and enabling seamless digital commerce. By ensuring transactions go through even during short-term cash shortfalls, Fuliza continues to support individuals, businesses, and the broader cashless economy.
