Mobile Loans in Kenya (2026)
Mobile loans let you borrow straight from your phone to M-Pesa — some without installing any app at all. Here’s how Kenya’s main options compare, from the M-Pesa menu services to the loan apps.
| App | Loan limit (KES) | Interest / fees | Speed | CRB? | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulizano app | 1 – 70K | Daily access fee (tiered) | Instant (overdraft) | No CRB | No reviews | Access via M-Pesa / USSD |
| M-Shwarino app | 100 – 100K | ~7.5% facilitation / month | Instant | Checks CRB | No reviews | Access via M-Pesa / USSD |
| KCB M-Pesano app | 100 – 1,000K | ~indicative — verify | Instant | Checks CRB | No reviews | Access via M-Pesa / USSD |
| Hustler Fundno app | 500 – 50K | ~8% per year (pro-rated) | Instant (*254#) | No CRB | No reviews | Access via M-Pesa / USSD |
| Tala | 500 – 50K | ~5–15% / month (by term) | Minutes | Checks CRB | 4.5(458,957) | Get Tala |
| Branch | 250 – 70K | ~1.7–17.6% / month | Minutes | Checks CRB | 4.5(3,498,682) | Get Branch |
Mobile loan options — M-Pesa menu services and apps. Indicative figures — confirm current terms.
KenyaLoanApps is an independent comparison site — we are not a lender and don’t issue loans. Some “Get app” links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no cost to you; this never affects our rankings or the figures shown. Loan terms change often — always confirm current details in the app. See our full disclosure.
Two kinds of mobile loan
In Kenya, “mobile loans” come in two flavours:
- M-Pesa menu services — Fuliza, M-Shwari and KCB M-Pesa. No app to install; you borrow from the M-Pesa menu, and your limit is based on your M-Pesa history.
- Loan apps — Tala, Branch, Zenka and others. You install the app, which scores you and disburses to M-Pesa. Limits grow with repayment.
Which should you use?
If you don’t want another app, the M-Pesa menu services are simplest — and Fuliza is the most convenient for covering shortfalls. If you want a bigger cash loan and don’t mind an app, the app lenders offer higher limits. For the cheapest option overall, the government Hustler Fund is hard to beat.
Keep the cost down
Every mobile loan is priced per short term, so the golden rule is the same: borrow the minimum and repay on time. For the full ranked field, see the best loan apps in Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
What are mobile loans in Kenya?
Mobile loans are small loans you access from your phone and receive on M-Pesa — either through the M-Pesa menu (Fuliza, M-Shwari, KCB M-Pesa) or through a loan app (Tala, Branch, Zenka). No branch, no paperwork.
Which mobile loan doesn’t need an app?
Fuliza, M-Shwari and KCB M-Pesa all work from the M-Pesa menu or USSD — no app install. Your limit depends on your M-Pesa usage history.
How is my mobile loan limit decided?
By your history — M-Pesa activity for menu-based services, and repayment behaviour for apps. Borrow small and repay on time and your limit grows.
Are mobile loans expensive?
They’re priced per short term, so they’re cheap if repaid on time and costly if not. The Hustler Fund is the lowest-cost mobile loan; Fuliza’s daily fee adds up the longer you hold it.