A Game-Changer for Small Businesses

Safaricom has taken a bold step to empower Kenya’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by launching a suite of digital credit solutions to bridge the financing gap that many of these businesses face. With traditional banks locking out informal and small-scale entrepreneurs due to strict requirements, Safaricom’s new offering is timely.

The telco has rolled out Fuliza Biashara and Taasi Till, two financial products that provide flexible and accessible funding options directly through M-PESA.

What is Fuliza Biashara?

Fuliza Biashara is an overdraft facility for Lipa na M-PESA merchants. It allows businesses to borrow between KES 1,000 and KES 400,000 depending on their transaction history and assigned credit limit.

Here’s the twist: repayment only kicks in when there’s money flowing into the merchant’s till. So, businesses won’t be forced to repay when they’re having slow days – it’s a much-needed cushion for SMEs managing tight cash flows.

Introducing Taasi Pochi and Taasi Till

For those using Pochi la Biashara, a wallet solution for informal traders, Safaricom has launched Taasi Pochi. This service offers instant credit between KES 1,000 and KES 250,000 which is immediately accessible through the M-PESA app or by dialling 3348#.

For more established businesses that need short term capital injection, Safaricom has launched Taasi Till. These loans range between KES 1,500 and KES 250,000 to help businesses manage operations, restock or expand.

Why This Matters for MSMEs

In a country where the informal sector plays a big role in job creation and economic stability, access to credit is a major bottleneck. Safaricom’s solutions remove the red tape and lengthy approval processes associated with bank loans.

To qualify, businesses must have had an active till or Pochi wallet for at least six months. Once eligible, the funds are disbursed directly to the user’s M-PESA wallet, with repayment periods of 14 to 30 days.

And it’s all digital. No paperwork. No bank queues.

A Big Boost to Financial Inclusion

Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa says the goal is to use technology to empower thousands of small traders who are the backbone of Kenya’s economy.

“Businesses are key to Kenya’s economy. Using technology, Taasi will offer convenience and credit to MSMEs so they can focus on growing their businesses,” said Dr. Ndegwa.

This is part of Safaricom’s bigger plan to deepen financial inclusion through its mobile money infrastructure, and it will make a real difference to underserved business owners.

How to Get the Credit

You can access these new facilities through:

  • M-PESA Business App

  • USSD code *234#

  • Pochi la Biashara via *334*8#

Even traders in remote areas can apply and get the funds without the usual bank queues.

Bridging the Credit Gap for Growth

Analysts have long pointed out lack of affordable credit as a major obstacle to MSME growth in Kenya. These new products from Safaricom not only provide working capital but also enable the company to increase activity and revenue through M-PESA.

Expect these to be especially good for:

  • Small scale retailers

  • Service providers

  • Market traders

  • Online entrepreneurs

They’ll be able to restock inventory, manage cash flow, and fund short term projects without getting bogged down in paperwork.

The Future of Lending Is Digital

Kenya’s digital lending space is growing fast. As more players enter the market, mobile credit is becoming the new normal for small businesses. Safaricom’s move is a big sign that tech driven financial services are not just the future—they’re now.

By combining flexibility, accessibility and speed these credit solutions are setting a new standard in business financing for the informal and small enterprise sector in Kenya.

In Summary

Safaricom’s launch of Fuliza Biashara, Taasi Till and Taasi Pochi could be a game changer for Kenya’s MSMEs. These offer much needed financial support through a seamless mobile first experience—putting power back in the hands of the everyday business owner.

As Kenya goes mobile, these solutions could just change how small businesses access and use credit to grow, survive and thrive.