Safaricom has explained why some M-PESA users may go for years without an increase in their Fuliza and M-Shwari loan limits, saying the reviews depend on several financial factors and are conducted at the bank’s discretion.
The clarification came in response to a customer, Sylvia Kimulla, who said she had used M-PESA for more than six years without any change in her loan limits.
“How long do I have to use mpesa before my Mshwari limit and Fuliza are increased? It’s been over 6 years, no change,” asked the customer.
In its response on October 23, Safaricom apologised for the delay in reviewing the customer’s limits, noting that the process does not allow for manual adjustments.
“Good morning, Miss Kimulla. Sorry for the delays in reviewing your limit, and kindly note that the loan limit review for M-Shwari and Fuliza is done at the bank’s discretion, which unfortunately doesn’t allow a manual adjustment, the company said.
Factors That Determine Fuliza and M-Shwari Limits
Safaricom said the review process considers more than how long a customer has used their phone line or M-PESA services.
Also Read: Safaricom Clarifies Whether Customers Can Request a Reduction in Their Fuliza Limit
The company explained that airtime usage, M-PESA transactions, loans taken from other lenders using the customer’s national ID, and repayment history are among the factors it considers.
Safaricom also said long-term savings held in M-Shwari and other financial institutions contribute to the assessment.
This means using M-PESA for several years does not automatically increase a customer’s borrowing limit.
How to Refresh Your Fuliza Limit
Safaricom advises customers to refresh their Fuliza limits monthly through the USSD menu.
Customers can do this by dialling *334# on their phones, selecting Fuliza M-PESA, then choosing Refresh My Limit and following the prompts.
However, refreshing the limit does not guarantee an increase, as the lender’s assessment remains the deciding factor.
Customers whose limits have remained unchanged despite years of M-PESA usage may therefore need to consider their repayment history, other outstanding loans and savings activity rather than relying on the length of time they have used the service.
Kenyans Report Higher M-Shwari Loan Limits After Refreshing Their Accounts
Kenyans took to social media to report higher M-Shwari loan limits after refreshing their accounts, with some saying they could now borrow more.
Also Read: Kenyans React to Widespread Increases in M-Shwari Loan Limits After Refreshing Accounts
On Thursday, October 22, several Kenyans took to social media to share their experiences, with some claiming they qualified to borrow more money after refreshing their M-Shwari limits.
One X user, Adele (@Adele_lide), said her refreshed limit showed that she qualified for a KSh12,000 loan.
“Almost everyone is being given a loan today,” she wrote.
Other users shared messages showing loan approvals, while some encouraged customers to refresh their limits through the M-PESA menu.
On Facebook, Lenkuna Letela Ledama Jnr shared instructions advising customers to dial *334#, select Loans and Savings, choose M-Shwari and then select the option to refresh their limits.
He also shared a loan approval message that read: “Your M-Shwari loan has been approved on 22/10/26 12:20 PM, and Ksh5,910.00 less excise duty has been deposited to your M-PESA account.”
Another user, Benedict Musyoka Kiluma, shared similar instructions, advising customers to wait for a confirmation message after completing the process.
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