More Kenyans are turning to digital credit to manage day-to-day expenses, with Safaricom’s Fuliza service seeing remarkable growth in the past year.
In the six months ending November 2025, the number of active Fuliza users climbed to 9.1 million, a 22.2 percent rise from 7.5 million during the same period last year, according to Safaricom’s half-year financial report released yesterday (Thursday).
The total amount borrowed through the platform reached Sh629.2 billion, up nearly 40 percent from Sh450 billion, while the average loan increased from Sh236.20 to Sh254.60, reflecting rising reliance on instant digital lending.
Introduced in 2019, Fuliza allows M-Pesa customers to complete transactions even when their wallet balance is insufficient, as long as they stay within a credit limit set based on their transaction history.
The service operates in partnership with NCBA and KCB Bank, who underwrite the loans, ensuring that users can cover shortfalls when sending money, withdrawing cash at M-Pesa agents, paying bills, or buying airtime.
According to Safaricom, “Funds received in the account are then automatically used to repay the outstanding Fuliza amount with interest and fees.” The service charges a one-off one-percent access fee and daily maintenance fees ranging from Sh5 for small loans between Sh101 and Sh500, up to Sh30 for loans from Sh2,501 to Sh70,000.
Despite the growth, only 17.8 percent of Safaricom’s 51.12 million active 90-day users have opted into Fuliza, suggesting potential for further adoption.
Meanwhile, Safaricom’s M-Shwari platform, which also provides savings and lending services, recorded steady user growth but weaker loan performance. Monthly active users rose 17.6 percent to 7.9 million, up from 6.7 million in the previous year.
However, the average loan size dropped 9.7 percent from Sh10,170 to Sh9,186, while total loan disbursements fell slightly to Sh48 billion from Sh48.9 billion.
Revenue from M-Pesa continued to grow, reaching Sh88.1 billion, a 14 percent increase from Sh77.2 billion in the previous year. The trends indicate that while Kenyans are increasingly embracing quick-access digital credit for everyday needs, longer-term loan products are experiencing slower uptake and smaller average amounts.
The data shows a shift in how Kenyans manage their finances, with mobile lending solutions like Fuliza becoming a key tool for bridging short-term funding gaps, while M-Shwari faces challenges in maintaining loan size and volume.
