Introduction                     

Ever imagined a society where almost all the common citizens depend on overdraft loans for survival? Yes, it is real and practical to most citizens in Kenya. This is because of their reliance on Fuliza to keep life going on daily basis.

What is Fuliza?

Fuliza is a Safaricom-M-pesa overdraft loan product that ensures Safaricom-Mpesa customers proceed with mobile money transactions even when their Mpesa accounts have insufficient funds. This product was introduced to Kenyan market in January 2019. Fuliza is a Swahili term meaning ‘to continue’ or ‘to go beyond your limit.’ The product is offered by Safaricom-Mpesa in partnership with NCBA and KCB banks.

How Does Fuliza Work?

For one to access the Fuliza services, he/she must be a Kenyan citizen of over eighteen years, and in possession of a Kenyan valid identity card.  One also has to have a Safaricom mobile line, which is active and registered for Mpesa services.  Each customer is assigned a Fuliza loan overdraft limit that he/she can access in case there is insufficient balance in his/her Mpesa account, to enable the continuity of the transaction. At first, Fuliza was only used for completing business transactions deals, but with time it was upgraded so that a customer is able to withdraw cash using the Fuliza balance. Fuliza balance limit per customer depends on the daily and weekly mobile money transactions one is able to carry out. When one has accessed the Fuliza loan, any money transacted into his/her account settles first the Fuliza debt on the spot. The period to repay the Fuliza overdraft loan is usually seven days; failure upon interest is charged per day until the loan is fully settled. so that the customer can be allowed to access the Fuliza overdraft services again.

How Kenyans are Depending on Fuliza?

A Daily Nation report by Kepha Muiruri notes that “loans disbursed on Safaricom’s mobile money overdraft facility crossed to Sh. 1 trillion mark for the first time in the year ended March 2026, as borrowers increasingly seek survival loans for basic items such as food, rent and medicine.” Kenyans were able to borrow over Kshs. 1.46 trillion in just a year, a big margin that reveals how the economic situation is hard and how Fuliza has come in as a remedy to many for survival. Common citizens really depend on Fuliza to ensure life goes on: businesses keep moving, medicine is available, daily food is put on the table, fare for transport or fuel is met, few balances are considered, all courtesy of Fuliza. This product has proved more convenient and accessible by many Kenyans as compared to other overdraft services offered by banks and other mobile money lenders who exaggerate repayment interests by a wider margin.

Conclusion

Safaricom-Mpesa uliza overdraft loan product is at the center of driving the Kenyan economy. Many common citizens depend on Fuliza for survival on a day-to-day basis. It is a game-changer for many; thus, Fuliza is an economy of overdraft to many.