Growing concerns over stagnant credit limits prompt telecommunications giant to clarify requirements for accessing higher overdraft facilities
August 2, 2025 – Safaricom has outlined specific steps customers can take to increase their Fuliza loan limits amid growing frustration from M-PESA users experiencing stagnant borrowing capacities for extended periods.
The telecommunications giant’s clarification comes after numerous customers expressed concerns about unchanged Fuliza limits, with some reporting limits as low as KSh 100 to KSh 300 that have remained static for over two years despite regular usage.
Key Requirements for Limit Increases
According to Safaricom’s official guidance, customers seeking to grow their Fuliza limits must meet several criteria:
1. Network Tenure Requirement
Customers who have been on Safaricom’s network for less than six months will have a zero limit.
This represents a fundamental barrier for new users seeking immediate access to higher credit facilities.
2. Consistent Service Usage
To grow Fuliza limits, customers need to continue using Safaricom and M-PESA services regularly and repay their Fuliza facility on time by topping up their M-PESA account.
This includes maintaining active engagement with various M-PESA services beyond just the overdraft facility.
3. Timely Repayment History
The limit will be refreshed upwards or downwards depending on usage and timely repayment of the facility.
This dynamic adjustment system means customers with poor repayment records may see their limits reduced rather than increased.
Maximum Limits and Transaction Patterns
The maximum Fuliza limit can reach KSh 70,000 for customers who consistently deposit and withdraw large amounts from their M-PESA accounts.
This ceiling represents the highest overdraft facility available through the service.
The company emphasizes that limit increases are not guaranteed and depend heavily on individual customer behavior patterns, including transaction frequency, amounts, and repayment consistency.
Warning Against Fraudulent Services
Safaricom has also warned customers about fraudulent Facebook pages claiming they can artificially increase Fuliza limits.
Pages such as “Fuliza Increment loans,” “Fuliza Increase Limit,” and “To increase fuliza limit from 0 to 50,000” have been identified as fake, with the company emphasizing that no third-party service can manipulate these limits.
Recent complaints highlight the broader challenges facing Kenya’s digital lending sector.
Some customers have reported transacting over KSh 300,000 monthly while maintaining minimal Fuliza limits, raising questions about the algorithm’s sensitivity to high-volume users.
The Fuliza service, launched as a partnership between Safaricom and NCBA Bank, has become a critical financial lifeline for millions of Kenyans since its introduction.
The overdraft facility allows M-PESA users to complete transactions even when their account balance is insufficient, with automatic repayment when funds are deposited.
The concerns over Fuliza limits come at a time when digital lending in Kenya faces increased regulatory scrutiny.
The Central Bank of Kenya has implemented stricter guidelines for digital lenders, emphasizing consumer protection and responsible lending practices.
Safaricom’s clarification represents an effort to manage customer expectations while maintaining the risk management protocols that govern the Fuliza service.
The company’s algorithmic approach to limit setting reflects broader industry trends toward data-driven credit assessment.
How to Check and Manage Fuliza
Customers can check their current Fuliza limit and opt into the service by dialing *334# and selecting the Fuliza M-PESA option.
The service requires users to be M-PESA registered customers with active Safaricom lines.
The service charges include a one-time 1% access fee and daily maintenance fees applied at midnight, along with the standard 20% excise tax on interest charges.
As Kenya’s mobile money ecosystem continues to evolve, the balance between accessibility and risk management remains a key challenge for service providers.
Safaricom’s guidance on Fuliza limits reflects this ongoing tension between customer demand for higher credit facilities and the need for prudent lending practices.
For customers seeking to increase their limits, the company’s message remains clear: consistent usage, timely repayment, and patience are the only legitimate pathways to higher Fuliza credit facilities.
