Small business owners and informal traders across Kenya have a new tool for managing daily cash flow bottlenecks. Safaricom has officially launched Fuliza ya Pochi, extending its short-term overdraft facility directly to the Pochi la Biashara wallet.
Until now, the standard Fuliza service was limited to personal M-Pesa accounts, leaving traders unable to complete business transactions once their wallet balance hit zero. The new feature allows registered micro-entrepreneurs—including food vendors, boda boda riders, and boutique owners—to complete payments, restocking, and utility bill settlements even with insufficient funds.
Here is everything you need to know about how the facility works, eligibility requirements, and the step-by-step registration process.
How Fuliza Ya Pochi Works
Fuliza ya Pochi functions as a short-term business overdraft tied directly to your Pochi la Biashara account. Rather than disbursing cash directly to your phone as a lump-sum loan, the system automatically covers financial deficits when you initiate a business transaction.
Key features of the service include:
- Supported Transactions: You can use your assigned overdraft limit to send money to suppliers or customers, pay through Buy Goods tills, and settle Paybill utility numbers.
- Grace Period & Interest: Every disbursement carries a 1% access fee. Safaricom provides a 48-hour interest-free period before daily maintenance charges begin accruing.
- Automatic Repayment: Repayment is seamless. Any payments or funds received into your Pochi la Biashara wallet automatically clear the outstanding balance until the limit is restored.
- 30-Day Limit Cycle: While overdrafts are structured for a 30-day window, early repayments allow you to reuse your credit limit multiple times throughout the trading month.
Who Qualifies for Fuliza Ya Pochi?
To access an instant overdraft limit on your business wallet, you must meet the following criteria:
- Active Pochi la Biashara Account: You must be an opted-in merchant operating a Pochi la Biashara wallet.
- Account Longevity: Your Pochi account must have been active for at least six months.
- Consistent Transaction History: Overdraft limits are dynamically determined by your transaction volume, daily customer payments, and general account activity over time.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register and Opt In
Setting up the service takes under two minutes directly from your phone.
- Dial the USSD Code: On your phone dialer, enter
*334#using the Safaricom line registered to your Pochi la Biashara wallet. - Select Business Services: Choose Option 8 for Pochi la Biashara.
- Access Overdraft Menu: Select Option 4 labeled Pochi Fuliza.
- Initiate Join Process: Select Option 1 (Join Now).
- Accept Terms: Review and accept the Terms and Conditions.
- Enter PIN: Input your M-Pesa PIN to complete activation.
Once completed, you will receive an immediate SMS notification from Safaricom confirming your registration along with your allocated Pochi Fuliza credit limit. Alternatively, you can complete activation using the M-Pesa App (My OneApp) under the Pochi la Biashara mini-app section.
