Safaricom unveiled the Fuliza Ya Pochi overdraft facility at Makongeni Market in Thika on 22 October 2026, targeting micro‑businesses that use the Pochi La Biashara platform.

The product is open to merchants who have actively used Pochi La Biashara for more than six months, a base of over two million micro‑merchants currently on the platform.

Credit limits are set according to each business’s transaction history, with repayments automatically deducted from subsequent payments received into the merchant’s Pochi wallet.

Merchants can activate the overdraft through the Pochi Mini App on My OneApp or by dialing *334# on their phones.

Safaricom Group CEO Peter Ndegwa said the service aims to help small businesses manage cash‑flow gaps and avoid lost sales when working capital runs short.

Ndegwa noted that Fuliza Ya Pochi could eventually serve all 3.3 million Pochi customers, mirroring the reach of the individual‑side Fuliza overdraft that now covers 17 million users.

The launch follows Safaricom’s broader digital‑lending push, building on the original Fuliza overdraft introduced in 2019 and the later Fuliza ya Biashara for qualifying Lipa na M‑Pesa merchants.

Safaricom said it will continuously review the product to ensure eligible merchants can access credit through their business wallets.

Why the service matters for micro‑merchants

Pochi La Biashara separates business funds from personal money, allowing merchants to receive customer payments directly into a dedicated business wallet.

Short‑term credit is crucial for traders who rely on daily sales to restock inventory and cover operating expenses such as utility bills and supplier payments.

A trader, Grace Wambui, welcomed the new facility, saying it would enable her to borrow for stock replenishment and keep her business running smoothly.