Safaricom Launches Fuliza Ya Pochi to Help Small-Scale Traders Access Emergency Business Credit

Safaricom has introduced a new extension of its Fuliza service targeting small-scale traders in Kenya, giving eligible business owners access to short-term credit when their Pochi La Biashara wallets run out of money.

The new service, known as Fuliza Ya Pochi, was launched to help traders manage cash shortages, pay suppliers and restock their businesses without interrupting daily operations.

According to reports published this week, the service targets eligible merchants who use Safaricom’s M-PESA business platform. More than one million traders could qualify for the overdraft facility.

Safaricom has explained that traders can access Fuliza Ya Pochi through their mobile phones without visiting a bank.

To get started, eligible customers should dial *334# using the phone number registered to their Pochi La Biashara account.

They should then select Pochi La Biashara and follow the instructions provided to access the service and complete the intended transaction.

Customers can also check the Pochi Mini App through Safaricom’s My OneApp platform.

However, having a Pochi La Biashara account does not automatically guarantee access to the overdraft.

To qualify, a trader must have actively used Pochi La Biashara for at least six months. The credit limit offered depends on the merchant’s business activity and eligibility assessment.

The facility allows qualifying traders to pay suppliers, make Buy Goods payments, send money and settle utility bills when their available business balance is insufficient.

Repayment is also automatic. Money received later through the Pochi La Biashara wallet goes towards clearing the outstanding overdraft.

This means traders should understand the repayment terms before using the service, especially when expecting money from customers.

The development comes as mobile financial services continue to play an important role in Kenya’s small-business sector, where many traders depend on daily sales to purchase stock and meet expenses.

For eligible business owners, Fuliza Ya Pochi offers another option for handling temporary cash shortages while keeping their businesses running.

Early—Bird feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com