Fuliza M-PESA Explained: How It Works, Fees, Repayment, and How to Increase Your Limit to KES 70,000

• By Fineducke Team

• 670

• Last updated Jan 9, 2026

Fuliza M-PESA is a continuous mobile overdraft service that is offered by Safaricom to its M-PESA customers. In this service, Safaricom PLC has partnered with NCBA Bank and KCB Bank. The service allows M-PESA users to complete eligible transactions even when their M-PESA balance is insufficient. As a Safaricom and M-PESA user, when you don’t have enough money in your M-PESA, the shortfall is covered automatically and recovered from future deposits that you will receive in your M-PESA account.

Take note, Fuliza is not a loan and so don’t treat it like one. It is a continuous overdraft facility that activates automatically when your balance is low. It is commonly used for sending money, paying bills, buying goods, and purchasing airtime directly from M-PESA.

What Is Fuliza M-PESA and How It Works

Fuliza enables registered M-PESA customers to complete transactions without having enough funds in their wallet. Once you activate Fuliza, the service automatically tops up the transaction amount based on the limit assigned to your by Safaricom based on your account history.

Key characteristics of Fuliza M-PESA:

• It is an overdraft, not a traditional loan.
• It is linked to an individual Safaricom line.
• Each line has its own Fuliza limit.
• Limits are reviewed periodically based on usage and repayment behavior.
• Repayment is automatic once funds are deposited into M-PESA.

Note: You only use Fuliza when your balance is insufficient, and you only pay charges for the amount actually used.

Also read: How Much It Costs to Send and Withdraw Money in 2026

Requirements to Activate Fuliza M-PESA

For you to qualify for Fuliza M-PESA, you must:

• Be a registered M-PESA user.
• Have an active line, must be Safaricom.

Each Safaricom line is assessed independently, meaning multiple lines under one person can have different Fuliza limits. However, mostly, if you don’t have frequent transactions, the primary line is the one that will qualify for Fuliza.

How to Activate Fuliza M-PESA

Activate via USSD

1. Dial *334# on your Safaricom phone.
2. Select Loans and Savings.
3. Choose Fuliza M-PESA.
4. Follow the subsequent prompts to opt in.

Activate via the M-PESA App

1. Open the M-PESA App.
2. Go to Loans and Savings.
3. Select Fuliza M-PESA.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

After successful activation, you receive an SMS confirming your Fuliza limit.

How to Use Fuliza M-PESA

Fuliza works automatically. You do not select it manually during transactions.

Supported Transactions

• Sending money via M-PESA.
• Lipa na M-PESA, including Buy Goods and PayBill.
• Airtime purchases directly from M-PESA.

Transactions Not Supported

• Cash withdrawals from M-PESA agents.
• ATM withdrawals.

If the transaction amount exceeds your available balance, Fuliza covers the difference as long as it is within your assigned limit.

Fuliza M-PESA Fees and Charges

Fuliza charges consist of:

1. A customer will be charged a one off 1% access fee and a daily maintenance fee is applied the next day at midnight or 00.00 hrs.
2. A customer will also be charged 20% Excise Duty on the daily maintenance fee. The Daily Maintenance fee is charged on the outstanding amount as per the table below:

Daily Maintenance Fee

N/B: Normal M-PESA transaction charges apply separately. Daily fees continue to accrue until the outstanding balance is fully cleared, making early repayment cheaper.

How to Manage Fuliza Repayments

Automatic Repayment

Any funds deposited or received into your M-PESA account are automatically used to repay the Fuliza balance before the funds become available for other transactions.

Checking Your Outstanding Fuliza Balance

You can check your Fuliza balance using:

• *334# → Loans and Savings → Fuliza M-PESA
• The M-PESA App under the Fuliza section

Each Fuliza transaction also triggers an SMS showing the outstanding balance.

Making Manual or Partial Repayments

• Deposit money into your M-PESA account to clear the balance automatically.
• To make partial repayments, send money to your own M-PESA number. A portion of the amount will be applied toward the Fuliza balance.

How to Increase Your Fuliza Limit to KSH. 70,000

Fuliza limits are reviewed periodically, typically every three months. Increases are not guaranteed and depend on account behavior.

Therefore, for you to increase your Fuliza limit up to Ksh. 70,000, you should strive to maintain an excellent repayment history. In this regard, you should repay borrowed amounts as quickly as possible, ideally before midnight of the following day. This avoids daily maintenance fee. Also, you should never exceed the 30-day repayment period.

The second hack for increasing M-PESA Fuliza limit is by increasing your transaction volume. Usage volume accounts to nearly 25% of the scoring signal when reviewing limits.

Thirdly, build a strong credit profile. Therefore, it is important that you pay all your other loans, including digital loans on time. These loans include bank loans, mobile loans and credit cards. You should also maintain good debt-to-income ratio and avoid being blacklisted by CRB. Moreover, always remember to check your credit report frequently. It is advised to check your credit score at least once a year.

Factors that influence limit increases include:

• M-PESA transaction activity.
• Repayment record of Fuliza balances.
• Maintaining an active Safaricom line.
• Avoiding prolonged outstanding balances.

You can check your current Fuliza limit via *334# or through the M-PESA App.

How Many Times Can Fuliza Be Used?

There is no fixed limit on how many times Fuliza can be used. You can use it repeatedly as long as:

• You remain within your assigned limit.
• Outstanding balances are cleared in a timely manner.

Minimum and Maximum Transaction Amounts

Fuliza transactions follow standard M-PESA limits:

• Minimum transaction amount: KES 1
• Maximum transaction amount: KES 42,000

Can You Withdraw Cash Using Fuliza?

No. Fuliza M-PESA does not allow cash withdrawals. It only supports eligible digital transactions such as sending money, paying bills, buying goods, and purchasing airtime.

Reversals for Fuliza Transactions

If you send money or pay to the wrong number or till using Fuliza:

• Use the Standard M-PESA reversal procedures.
• Reversals are only possible if the recipient has not used the funds.
• Transaction charges are not refundable.
• You can initiate a reversal by forwarding the M-PESA confirmation SMS to 456.

Penalties for Late Fuliza Repayment

If a Fuliza balance remains unpaid after 30 days:

• Access to Fuliza may be suspended.
• The limit is restored only after full repayment of the outstanding balance.

How to Opt Out of Fuliza M-PESA

For you to deactivate Fuliza, follow the steps below:

1. Dial *334#.
2. Select Loans and Savings.
3. Choose Fuliza M-PESA.
4. Select Opt-Out.

You can also opt out through the M-PESA App. All outstanding Fuliza balances must be cleared before opting out.

Conclusion

Fuliza M-PESA is designed for short-term cash flow gaps within the M-PESA ecosystem. When used responsibly and repaid promptly, it provides a reliable way to complete essential transactions without delays or declined payments.