Safaricom Fuliza Ya Pochi: How It Works, Eligibility and How to Apply in Kenya

Safaricom has introduced Fuliza Ya Pochi, a new overdraft service designed to help small-scale traders in Kenya access short-term credit when their Pochi La Biashara wallets have insufficient funds.

Launched on October 22, 2026, in Thika, the service targets business owners who depend on daily sales to buy stock, pay suppliers and meet operating expenses. It allows eligible merchants to complete approved transactions even when their available business wallet balance cannot cover the full amount.

Fuliza Ya Pochi expands Safaricom’s mobile credit services beyond individual M-PESA users to traders who use Pochi La Biashara to receive customer payments and manage business money.

What Is Fuliza Ya Pochi?

Fuliza Ya Pochi is a short-term overdraft facility for eligible Pochi La Biashara merchants. It is designed to bridge temporary cash-flow gaps when a business needs to make a payment but does not have enough money in its wallet.

For example, a shopkeeper may need to purchase additional stock from a supplier before receiving enough payments from customers. If the merchant qualifies and has an available Fuliza Ya Pochi limit, the facility can help cover the shortfall for an eligible transaction.

The borrowed amount must be repaid. Money subsequently received into the merchant’s Pochi La Biashara wallet is automatically used to recover the outstanding overdraft, according to the service’s repayment arrangement.

Who Qualifies for Fuliza Ya Pochi?

Fuliza Ya Pochi is intended for traders who actively use Pochi La Biashara. Safaricom has outlined the following main eligibility considerations:

• Account history: The merchant must have actively used Pochi La Biashara for at least six months.
• Regular transactions: The merchant should use Pochi regularly, with Safaricom citing activity on approximately 15 days within a 30-day period.
• Credit limit assessment: The available overdraft limit depends on the merchant’s level of activity on the platform.

Meeting these conditions does not guarantee a particular credit limit. Safaricom determines the limit based on the account’s business activity and the applicable eligibility assessment.

Safaricom has indicated that its Pochi La Biashara customer base includes approximately 3.3 million accounts, although more than one million merchants were reported as qualifying for the initial rollout.

How to Activate Fuliza Ya Pochi: How to Apply

Eligible merchants can access Fuliza Ya Pochi using their mobile phones. The reported access options include the M-PESA USSD menu and the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp.

Method 1: Using the *334# USSD Code

1. Use the phone number linked to your Pochi La Biashara account.
2. Dial *334#.
3. Select Pochi La Biashara from the available menu.
4. Follow the prompts for Fuliza Ya Pochi or the transaction you want to complete.
5. Review any displayed credit limit, charges and terms before accepting.
6. Authenticate only through the official M-PESA menu when prompted.

The exact menu options may vary as Safaricom updates its services. Follow the instructions displayed on your phone rather than relying solely on an older menu guide.

Method 2: Using My OneApp

1. Open My OneApp on your smartphone.
2. Navigate to the Pochi Mini App.
3. Look for the Fuliza Ya Pochi option.
4. Follow the instructions to check eligibility and opt in, where available.
5. Read the terms and confirm your acceptance only if you understand the repayment obligations.

If the service does not appear on your account, check whether your Pochi usage meets the eligibility requirements or contact Safaricom through its official customer-care channels.

How Does Fuliza Ya Pochi Work?

Fuliza Ya Pochi works as a credit facility linked to a merchant’s business wallet. Rather than requiring the trader to have the full transaction amount available as cash, the overdraft can cover an eligible shortfall within the approved limit.

Consider a trader who has KSh 500 in their Pochi wallet and needs to make an eligible business payment of KSh 1,500. If the trader has sufficient available Fuliza Ya Pochi credit and the transaction is supported, the facility may cover the KSh 1,000 shortfall.

This is an illustrative example, not a guarantee that every transaction or merchant will be approved. The actual amount available depends on the merchant’s assigned limit, transaction type and applicable service conditions.

What Can Traders Use Fuliza Ya Pochi For?

The facility is designed to support everyday business transactions. Reported uses include:

• Paying suppliers for goods and stock.
• Purchasing additional inventory.
• Making eligible Buy Goods payments.
• Sending money for business purposes where supported.
• Settling utility bills and other eligible business expenses.

Availability may depend on the specific transaction and the terms presented to the merchant. Traders should check the supported transaction types before relying on the facility for an urgent payment.

How Is Fuliza Ya Pochi Repaid?

Repayment is automatic. When a merchant receives new payments into their Pochi La Biashara wallet, the outstanding Fuliza Ya Pochi balance is recovered from the incoming funds under the applicable repayment terms.

This arrangement can make repayment convenient because merchants do not have to initiate a separate transfer every time money comes in. However, it also means that some of the business’s next sales receipts may not be available for buying stock or paying other expenses.

For this reason, traders should account for the overdraft when planning their daily cash flow. Borrowing should be based on a realistic expectation of future sales and the ability to repay the outstanding amount.

What Are the Fuliza Ya Pochi Charges?

Fuliza Ya Pochi is a credit facility, so merchants should not assume that borrowing is free. Before using it, check the official terms displayed through Safaricom’s service channels for the applicable fees, charges, repayment period and other conditions.

At the time of publication, the launch reports cited here do not provide a complete, independently verified fee schedule for every Fuliza Ya Pochi transaction. It would therefore be misleading to state a specific daily charge or total borrowing cost without confirming the current official tariff.

Before accepting an overdraft, merchants should establish:

• The total amount they are borrowing.
• The applicable access or maintenance charges, if any.
• The repayment deadline.
• How incoming payments will be applied to the outstanding balance.
• The consequences of late or failed repayment.

What Happens If You Do Not Repay Fuliza Ya Pochi?

Failure to repay credit can affect access to future borrowing and may lead to other consequences under the applicable loan terms.

Some launch coverage has reported a 30-day repayment period and the possibility of suspension or Credit Reference Bureau consequences for prolonged non-payment. Merchants should verify the exact repayment deadline, default rules and any CRB-related provisions in the official agreement before using the service.

Do not borrow the full limit simply because it is available. Use only the amount needed for a business purpose that can reasonably generate enough cash to meet the repayment obligation.

Difference Between Fuliza, Fuliza Ya Biashara and Fuliza Ya Pochi

Although these services share the overdraft concept, they are not interchangeable. Eligibility, limits, transaction types, fees and repayment conditions may differ.

Benefits of Fuliza Ya Pochi for Small Businesses

For traders who experience temporary shortages of working capital, the service may offer several benefits:

• Business continuity: An eligible trader may be able to complete a necessary payment instead of stopping operations while waiting for customer payments.
• Restocking: Access to short-term credit may help a shop or stall replenish fast-moving products.
• Supplier payments: Traders may be able to meet eligible supplier obligations when their available wallet balance is insufficient.
• Convenience: Access through existing mobile money channels reduces the need for a separate application process each time a supported transaction is made.
• Digital business records: Continued use of Pochi helps merchants manage customer payments through a dedicated business wallet.

Risks Traders Should Consider Before Borrowing

While an overdraft can help manage short-term cash-flow problems, it does not replace sustainable business income. Borrowing without a clear repayment plan can leave a trader with less money available from future sales.

Merchants should consider the following risks:

• Automatic deductions may reduce the cash available for restocking.
• Charges can reduce the profit earned from the goods purchased using credit.
• Slow sales may make repayment difficult.
• Repeated borrowing can conceal an ongoing business cash-flow problem.
• Late repayment may affect future access to credit or trigger other consequences under the loan agreement.

A sensible approach is to borrow for a specific, necessary business expense and estimate how much profit or cash the transaction is likely to generate before the repayment deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fuliza Ya Pochi

When was Fuliza Ya Pochi launched?

Safaricom launched Fuliza Ya Pochi on October 22, 2026, in Thika, Kenya.

How do I check whether I qualify?

Dial *334# and navigate to Pochi La Biashara, or check the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp. Follow the available prompts to check access to the service.

How long must I have used Pochi La Biashara?

Safaricom has cited at least six months of active Pochi La Biashara usage, alongside regular transactions, as key eligibility conditions.

How much can I borrow?

Your available credit limit is determined individually based on your business activity and the applicable eligibility assessment. Do not assume that every merchant receives the same limit.

Does Fuliza Ya Pochi deduct money from customer payments?

Yes. Repayment is automatically deducted from subsequent funds received into the merchant’s Pochi La Biashara wallet, according to the applicable terms.

Is Fuliza Ya Pochi free?

Do not assume that it is free. Review the official service terms and displayed charges before borrowing.

Can every Pochi La Biashara user access Fuliza Ya Pochi?

No. The service is intended for eligible merchants, and eligibility depends on account activity and the assigned credit limit.

Conclusion

Fuliza Ya Pochi is Safaricom’s overdraft service for eligible Pochi La Biashara merchants in Kenya. It is designed to help small traders manage temporary cash shortages, pay suppliers, restock their businesses and meet supported expenses without waiting for more money to arrive in their wallets.

Merchants can check access through *334# or the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp. Before borrowing, they should confirm their available limit, fees, repayment deadline and default conditions. Used carefully, short-term credit may support business operations, but borrowing without a realistic repayment plan can put further pressure on a small business.