Safaricom has issued a clarification on whether a Fuliza user can request a reduction in their limit.
The clarification came after questions arose from customers seeking to understand whether the Fuliza overdraft limit can be adjusted downwards, especially after some users were assigned higher limits than expected.
A user on X identified as @Rayan_kellly expressed surprise at the overdraft limit assigned to him, saying he had not requested it.
“Can I request mine to be reduced? Mnanipea 20k from nowhere?” he questioned, seeking to know whether it was possible to have the limit reduced
Safaricom Clarifies Fuliza Limit Is Not Manually Requested by Customers
In response, Safaricom explained that Fuliza limits are not manually requested by customers but are automatically generated based on a user’s financial behaviour.
The telecom company further clarified that the assigned limit represents the maximum amount a customer can borrow through the overdraft facility and does not attract any charges unless it is utilized.
“Fuliza limits are usually assigned automatically based on factors such as M-PESA usage, savings, borrowing history, and repayment behaviour. The limit simply represents the maximum overdraft available to you. You only incur charges if you actually use the Fuliza overdraft,” the company stated.
At the same time, Safaricom revealed that Fuliza limits are only reduced when a customer opts out of the service.
The telco explained that any reduction in a customer’s Fuliza limit is determined by their M-Pesa usage patterns, including how consistently they repay their loans.
“Your Fuliza limit may be reduced if you had either delayed or defaulted on repayment,” Safaricom said.
Also Read: Safaricom Explains How Users Can Refresh Fuliza M-PESA Limits
Limits Based on Usage, Repayment History
According to Safaricom, customers who manage their accounts responsibly are more likely to maintain or improve their limits.
The company also advised users to repay their loans on time, including Okoa Jahazi, and to build savings through M-Shwari as part of improving their financial behaviour within the M-Pesa ecosystem.
Fuliza limits are allocated upon activation for customers who have been active on the Safaricom network for at least six months, based on their line usage and M-Pesa transaction history.
To increase their Fuliza limit, customers must consistently use Safaricom and M-Pesa services and repay their Fuliza M-Pesa facility on time by topping up their M-Pesa account.
Customers who have been on the network for less than six months are assigned a zero limit until they build sufficient usage history.
Also Read: Kenyans Pour Out Frustrations as Safaricom Hints at Increasing Fuliza Limit
Fuliza Charges Across Bands
Fuliza charges include a one-off 1% access fee, which is applied when a customer uses the overdraft facility. A daily maintenance fee is then charged at midnight (00:00 hours) on any outstanding balance.
In addition, customers are charged a 20% excise duty on the daily maintenance fee.
The daily maintenance fee varies depending on the amount borrowed, as outlined below:
Customers with an outstanding Fuliza balance of Ksh 0–100 do not incur any maintenance charges.
Those owing Ksh 101–500 are charged a daily maintenance fee of Ksh 2.5, plus Ksh 0.5 in excise duty, bringing the total daily charge to Ksh 3.
Customers with balances of Ksh 501–1,000 pay a maintenance fee of Ksh 5 and Ksh 1 in excise duty, resulting in a total daily charge of Ksh 6.
A balance of Ksh 1,001–1,500 attracts a daily maintenance fee of Ksh 18, with an additional Ksh 3.6 in excise duty, bringing the total to Ksh 21.6.
Those with outstanding balances of Ksh 1,501–2,500 pay Ksh 20 in maintenance fees and Ksh 4 in excise duty, for a total daily charge of Ksh 24.
Customers whose balances range between Ksh 2,501 and Ksh 70,000 are charged a daily maintenance fee of Ksh 25, plus Ksh 5 in excise duty, bringing the total daily charge to Ksh 30.
These charges are applied daily until the outstanding Fuliza balance is repaid in full.
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