A Lifeline for Seamless Mobile Payments When You’re Short on Cash
What is Fuliza M-PESA?
Fuliza M-PESA is a real-time overdraft service offered by Safaricom, in partnership with KCB and NCBA Bank (formerly CBA). It allows M-PESA users to complete transactions even when they don’t have enough money in their M-PESA wallet. This service officially launched on January 5th following approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
Whether you’re sending money, paying bills, or making purchases, Fuliza acts as a financial cushion to ensure your transactions don’t fail due to insufficient funds.
How to Activate Fuliza M-PESA
To access Fuliza, you need to be:
- A registered M-PESA user
- Using an active Safaricom line
Follow these steps to opt-in:
- Dial
*234#on your Safaricom line - Select Fuliza M-PESA from the options
- Accept the terms and conditions
Once you’re enrolled, Safaricom will send you a confirmation message showing your Fuliza limit — the maximum amount you’re allowed to overdraw.
Note: You can also activate Fuliza through the mySafaricom App.
How Fuliza Works
Whenever you try to perform an M-PESA transaction (like sending money or paying a bill) and your account doesn’t have enough funds, Safaricom will prompt you with a Fuliza message asking if you want to proceed using your available overdraft.
Simply confirm, and the transaction will be completed instantly.
Important: Fuliza only covers:
- Lipa na M-PESA (Buy Goods & Paybill)
- Send Money via M-PESA
You cannot withdraw Fuliza funds as cash.
iPhone Users Tip
Some iPhone users may notice that the Fuliza confirmation prompt disappears too quickly. If that happens, switch your network mode from 4G to 3G, then retry the transaction. This adjustment helps keep the Fuliza prompt visible long enough to respond.
How to Check Your Fuliza Account Details
To manage your Fuliza usage:
- Dial
*234# - Select Fuliza M-PESA
- Choose to view your:
- Overdraft limit
- Current balance
- Mini statement
- Opt-out option
You’ll also receive an SMS after each transaction, detailing how much of your Fuliza has been used and what you owe.
Fuliza M-PESA Rates and Charges
Fuliza charges a daily interest rate of 1% on your outstanding balance. In addition, a maintenance fee applies depending on the amount borrowed.
Here’s a general breakdown
| Outstanding Amount (KES) | Daily Maintenance Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 – 100 | Free |
| 101 – 500 | Ksh 5 |
| 501 – 1,000 | Ksh 10 |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | Ksh 20 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | Ksh 25 |
| 2,501 – 70,000+ | Ksh 30 – Ksh 35 |
Tip: Repaying your Fuliza balance quickly helps reduce charges and may increase your limit.
What Happens If You Don’t Repay on Time?
Fuliza gives you up to 30 days to repay your overdraft. After that:
- Access to Fuliza is suspended until the full balance is cleared
- If unpaid for over 90 days, your details may be forwarded to Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) under the Banking Act, potentially affecting your credit score
How to Increase Your Fuliza Limit
To boost your Fuliza limit:
- Use Safaricom and M-PESA services frequently
- Repay your Fuliza balance on time
- Maintain a positive transaction history
The more responsible you are with your M-PESA usage, the higher your Fuliza limit will grow over time.
Final Thoughts
Fuliza M-PESA is more than just an overdraft; it’s a practical solution for those everyday situations where timing is everything. Whether you’re short by a few shillings or a few thousand, Fuliza ensures that your transactions go through seamlessly helping you stay on track financially, anytime, anywhere.
