How to Use Fuliza Ya Pochi: Safaricom’s New Business Overdraft for Kenyan Traders

Safaricom has launched Fuliza Ya Pochi, a new overdraft facility designed to help small businesses in Kenya manage cash flow shortages and keep their operations running when money in their business wallets is insufficient.

Launched at Makongeni Market in Thika on October 22, 2026, the service extends Safaricom’s digital lending offering to eligible users of Pochi La Biashara, a mobile money service that allows micro-businesses to receive customer payments separately from personal M-Pesa funds.

The facility is intended to help traders meet urgent business expenses, including purchasing stock, paying suppliers, sending money and settling utility bills, even when their Pochi La Biashara wallets do not have enough money to complete a transaction.

For small traders who depend on daily sales to finance their next stock purchase, access to short-term credit could help bridge the gap between selling goods and receiving enough money to replenish supplies.

What Is Fuliza Ya Pochi?

Fuliza Ya Pochi is a short-term overdraft facility from Safaricom that allows eligible Pochi La Biashara users to transact beyond their available business wallet balance, subject to their approved credit limits and applicable terms.

The service builds on Safaricom’s existing Fuliza overdraft product, which was introduced in 2019, and its subsequent expansion into business lending through Fuliza ya Biashara for qualifying Lipa na M-Pesa merchants.

Unlike a conventional business loan that may require a separate application process, Fuliza Ya Pochi is designed to provide credit through the merchant’s existing business payment channel.

Safaricom Group Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the product would help micro-businesses overcome working capital challenges and avoid losing sales because they lack sufficient funds to complete transactions.

“We are very excited as Safaricom to be launching Fuliza Ya Pochi, which is a credit product for all our Pochi customers,” Ndegwa said.

Safaricom says the service is intended to extend access to credit across its Pochi La Biashara customer base, although individual eligibility and credit limits will depend on the provider’s assessment.

Who Qualifies for Fuliza Ya Pochi?

To qualify for Fuliza Ya Pochi, merchants must meet Safaricom’s eligibility requirements.

The key requirement announced at the launch is that a merchant must have actively used Pochi La Biashara for more than six months.

Other important considerations include the merchant’s business activity and the credit limit assigned by Safaricom. The company says limits will be determined by business activity, meaning the amount available may vary from one merchant to another.

Before attempting to use the facility, traders should ensure they have an active Pochi La Biashara wallet and check whether the overdraft option is available to them.

**Important:** Using Pochi La Biashara for more than six months does not necessarily guarantee access to credit. Merchants should confirm their eligibility through Safaricom’s official channels.

How to Access Fuliza Ya Pochi

Eligible merchants can access Fuliza Ya Pochi through two channels announced by Safaricom: the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or the USSD service.

Method 1: Through the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp

1. Open My OneApp on your phone.
2. Navigate to the Pochi Mini App.
3. Check the available Fuliza Ya Pochi option and follow the instructions provided.
4. Review the credit limit and the applicable charges and repayment terms displayed before proceeding.
5. Follow the prompts to use the facility for an eligible business transaction.

The exact menu labels and activation steps may vary depending on the service interface. If the option is not displayed, check your eligibility or contact Safaricom customer care.

Method 2: Through USSD

Merchants can also access the service by dialling **\*334#** on their phones.

1. Dial *334#.
2. Follow the menu prompts to access the relevant Pochi La Biashara services.
3. Check whether Fuliza Ya Pochi is available to your account.
4. Follow the displayed instructions and review the terms before accepting or using the credit.

If you cannot find the service in the USSD menu, consult Safaricom for the latest activation instructions.

What Can You Use Fuliza Ya Pochi For?

Fuliza Ya Pochi is designed to support everyday business transactions when the available balance in a merchant’s Pochi wallet is insufficient.

According to Safaricom, qualifying merchants can use the facility to:

• **Buy stock:** Pay for additional goods to replenish shelves and meet customer demand.
• **Pay suppliers:** Complete eligible supplier payments without waiting for new customer deposits.
• **Complete transactions:** Continue serving customers when the business wallet has insufficient funds.
• **Send money:** Make eligible money transfers required for business operations.
• **Pay utility bills:** Settle eligible bills associated with running the business.

For example, a trader who needs to purchase stock but has not yet received enough payments from customers may be able to use the overdraft to cover an eligible transaction, provided the amount falls within the available limit and the transaction is supported.

The credit is intended to address short-term cash flow gaps. Merchants should assess whether expected sales will be sufficient to cover the amount borrowed and the applicable charges.

How Does Fuliza Ya Pochi Repayment Work?

Safaricom says repayments will be deducted automatically from subsequent payments received into a merchant’s Pochi La Biashara wallet.

This means that when customers make new payments into the business wallet, the money may be applied towards the outstanding overdraft according to the facility’s repayment terms.

For traders, this arrangement removes the need to make a separate manual repayment each time they receive money. However, it also means that part of their next sales receipts may not be available for other business expenses until the outstanding amount is cleared.

Merchants should therefore keep track of their outstanding balance and understand the applicable fees, repayment conditions and any other charges before using the service.

The announcement did not specify the full fee schedule, individual credit limits or all repayment conditions. Users should confirm these details directly through Safaricom’s official service channels before borrowing.

What Is the Difference Between Fuliza Ya Pochi and Fuliza?

Although both products provide overdraft credit, they serve different customer needs.

Fuliza is Safaricom’s established overdraft service for individual M-Pesa users, while Fuliza Ya Pochi is designed for eligible merchants using Pochi La Biashara.

Fuliza ya Biashara, meanwhile, serves qualifying merchants using Lipa na M-Pesa business payment services.

The distinction matters because traders should check which product applies to their payment account rather than assuming that eligibility for one facility automatically qualifies them for another.

Why Fuliza Ya Pochi Matters to Small Businesses

Access to working capital remains a practical challenge for many micro-businesses that depend on daily sales to finance their operations.

A shopkeeper may need to restock before the day's sales have generated enough cash. A market trader may need to pay a supplier immediately to secure goods. A small service provider may have bills to settle while waiting for customer payments.

In such situations, a short-term overdraft can provide temporary financial flexibility.

Pochi La Biashara currently serves more than two million micro-merchants, according to the launch information, while Safaricom said its wider Pochi customer base comprises approximately 3.3 million customers.

Ndegwa said the company would continue reviewing the service to ensure eligible Pochi users could 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 said.

The remarks point to Safaricom’s intention to broaden access, although the availability of a credit facility does not mean every merchant will receive the same limit or qualify automatically.

At the launch, trader Grace Wambui welcomed the service, saying it would help her replenish stock and maintain business operations.

“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.

Tips for Using Fuliza Ya Pochi Responsibly

While an overdraft can help a business address temporary cash shortages, merchants should use it carefully.

**Borrow for essential business needs.** Prioritise stock, supplier payments and other expenses that support business operations or generate income.

**Understand the cost of borrowing.** Check all applicable fees and charges before accepting the facility. Do not assume the overdraft is free.

**Monitor automatic deductions.** Remember that repayments will be deducted from subsequent payments received into your Pochi wallet, reducing the money available for other expenses.

**Borrow within your repayment capacity.** Consider your expected sales, profit margins and upcoming bills before using the facility.

**Keep business records.** Track the amount borrowed, the purpose of each transaction and repayments to understand the effect of credit on your cash flow.

**Confirm the terms.** Credit limits, fees and eligibility can vary. Use Safaricom’s official channels to verify the conditions applicable to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fuliza Ya Pochi

1. How do I activate Fuliza Ya Pochi?

Eligible merchants can access the service through the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or by dialling *334#. Follow the available prompts to check eligibility and access the facility.

2. Who is eligible for Fuliza Ya Pochi?

The announced eligibility requirement includes actively using Pochi La Biashara for more than six months. Credit access and limits remain subject to Safaricom’s assessment.

3. How much can I borrow through Fuliza Ya Pochi?

Safaricom says credit limits will be determined by business activity. The company did not publish a single maximum limit in the launch information provided. Check your account for the limit available to you.

4. How do I repay Fuliza Ya Pochi?

Repayments are automatically deducted from subsequent payments received into your Pochi La Biashara wallet, subject to the facility’s terms.

5. Can I use Fuliza Ya Pochi to pay suppliers?

Yes. Safaricom says the service is designed to support eligible transactions, including supplier payments, stock purchases, money transfers and utility bills, when the business wallet has insufficient funds.

6. Is Fuliza Ya Pochi available to every Pochi La Biashara user?

Safaricom aims to extend credit access across its Pochi customer base, but individual access is subject to eligibility requirements and the provider’s assessment. Having a Pochi wallet does not automatically guarantee an approved overdraft.

7. Is Fuliza Ya Pochi the same as Fuliza ya Biashara?

No. Fuliza Ya Pochi targets eligible Pochi La Biashara merchants, while Fuliza ya Biashara serves qualifying Lipa na M-Pesa merchants. The original Fuliza product is an overdraft facility for individual M-Pesa users.

Final Word

Fuliza Ya Pochi introduces another short-term financing option for Kenya’s micro-businesses, giving eligible Pochi La Biashara merchants a way to complete supported transactions when their business wallets run short of funds.

For traders who need to replenish stock, pay suppliers or meet urgent operating expenses, the facility could help manage temporary cash flow gaps. Its value, however, will depend on the credit limits available, the cost of borrowing and the merchant’s ability to repay from future sales.

Merchants interested in the service can start by checking the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or dialling *334# to establish whether Fuliza Ya Pochi is available to their accounts.