The product provides short-term financing to Lipa Na M-Pesa Buy Goods merchants, allowing them to access funds quickly without the lengthy processes associated with traditional banking. The loan is designed to help merchants keep their businesses operational, complete transactions, and drive business growth.
Loan Amount Range: The loan facility provides credits between Ksh 1,500 and Ksh 250,000, depending on a merchant's eligibility and creditworthiness.
Loan Duration Options: Merchants can choose from flexible repayment periods: 7-day, 14-day, or 30-day loan terms.
M-Pesa Taasi Till Loan Eligibility Criteria
Before accessing M-Pesa Taasi Till Loan, merchants must meet specific requirements established by Safaricom:
- Merchants must have actively used an M-Pesa till or Pochi wallet for more than six months
- Be a Lipa Na M-Pesa Buy Goods merchant who settles funds collected in their M-Pesa till to their M-Pesa account
- Have activated the Business till functionality
- Use their nominated number to access the service
- Maintain only one active loan at a time per store
- Only active tills are eligible for this service
Merchants cannot apply for additional loans while an existing Taasi Till Loan remains unpaid.
M-Pesa Taasi Till Loan Cost Structure and Fees: 2026 Pricing
Borrowers will be charged a rate of 3.85% for a 7-day loan, 4.71% for a 14-day loan, and 6.41% for a 30-day loan. The total repayment amount remains the same regardless of when the loan is repaid within the selected period.
Current Interest Rates by Loan Duration
7-Day Loan: 3.85% interest rate
14-Day Loan: 4.71% interest rate
30-Day Loan: 6.41% interest rate
Important Note on Fee Application
The interest charges are calculated and applied once at the time of loan disbursement, meaning whether you repay on day 1 or the final day of your chosen period, the amount owed remains constant. This transparent structure helps merchants plan their repayment obligations with certainty.
The banks ultimately determine credit limits and interest rates based on your transaction history and creditworthiness. Banks may use information from other sources, including your previous business transactions with Safaricom, to assess your credit before reaching a decision.
Steps to Access M-Pesa Taasi Till Loan
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Ensure your till meets all requirements: minimum 6 months of activity, active status, and no existing unpaid Taasi Till Loan.
Step 2: Access via USSD or M-PESA App
Businesses can access both credit products via the M-Pesa Business App or by dialing USSD *234#.
Step 3: Navigate the Menu (USSD Method)
- Dial *234# from your nominated M-Pesa Business Till number
- Select M-PESA Business Till
- Enter your store number or House number
- Select Taasi Till Loans
- Select Access Loans from our Partners
Step 4: Choose Your Lender
Select your preferred financial partner (KCB, Pezesha, or Sidian Bank) based on your creditworthiness and their assessment.
Step 5: Accept Terms and Conditions
Carefully review and accept the terms and conditions to opt into the M-Pesa Taasi Till Loan service.
Step 6: Authenticate and Select Loan Duration
- Enter your Operator ID and PIN
- Select your preferred loan repayment period (7-day, 14-day, or 30-day)
Step 7: Request Your Loan
- Select Request Loan
- Enter the desired loan amount (must be within your approved limit)
- Confirm the transaction
- Re-enter your M-Pesa PIN for authorization
Step 8: Receive Funds
After approval, money is transferred straight into the user's M-Pesa wallet, with adjustable repayment terms ranging from 14 to 30 days.
Checking Your Loan Limit
Before applying for a loan, merchants can check their available limit by following these steps:
- Dial *234#
- Select M-PESA Business Till
- Enter your store number
- Select Taasi Till Loans
- Select Access Loans from our Partners
- Select your partner (KCB, Pezesha, or Sidian Bank)
- Select Check Loan Limit
How Loan Limits Are Determined: Your loan limit is based on your Lipa Na M-Pesa Till activity and transaction history. The more frequently you use the till to receive M-Pesa payments from customers, the higher your potential loan limit. Additionally, limits are adjusted based on your repayment history, incentivizing responsible borrowing and timely repayment.
Repayment Options and Process
Safaricom provides flexible repayment options tailored to merchant convenience:
Full Repayment
Merchants can repay the entire loan amount by following these steps:
- Dial *234#
- Select M-PESA Business Till
- Enter your Store Number
- Select Taasi Till Loans
- Select Access Loans from our Partners
- Select your partner
- Select Pay Loan
- Select Pay for Self (or Pay for Other if paying on behalf of another merchant)
- Select Full Payment
- Confirm the amount and enter your Operator ID and PIN
Partial Repayment
For merchants preferring flexible repayment, partial payments are available:
- Follow the same steps as full repayment
- Select Partial Payment
- Enter the specific amount you wish to pay
- Complete the transaction with your PIN
Late Repayment Consequences
Understanding the penalties for late repayment is critical for merchant financial planning. While the new product structure emphasizes flexible repayment aligned with business cash flow, merchants who default may face additional charges and credit reporting consequences.
Credit Reference Bureau Reporting: If loans are not repaid within the stipulated period, merchants may be reported to the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), which can negatively impact future access to credit.
Improving Repayment Performance: To maintain and improve your loan limit over time, prioritize repaying loans on time. Early repayment is encouraged and can result in higher loan limits in the future.
Common Reasons for Loan Decline
Understanding why applications may be rejected helps merchants address issues proactively:
- Loan amount exceeds your approved limit: Always verify your limit before requesting a loan
- Credit Reference Bureau listing: If you have defaulted on previous loans with other lenders, you may be listed on CRB, preventing new credit access
- Existing unpaid loan: Only one Taasi Till Loan can be active at a time; previous loans must be fully repaid first
- Till inactivity: Your till must be active; inactive or dormant tills are ineligible
- Insufficient transaction history: Tills must have been active for more than six months
Managing Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) Status
What is CRB? A Credit Reference Bureau is a firm that collects information from various sources and provides consumer credit information on individual consumers for a variety of uses, for example, it provides information on individuals borrowing and paying habits.
Credit Score: Your credit score reflects your creditworthiness based on your complete credit history—how well you've performed on previous loans and your current loan performance.
Improving Your Score: To enhance your credit score and maintain eligibility for future loans, prioritize paying all loans on time and avoid defaulting on any obligations.
Clearing Negative Listings: If you have defaulted on loans, you must fully repay the defaulted loan(s) to the respective financial institutions and obtain a clearance certificate from the CRB. After successfully clearing your negatively listed loans, the record may remain on your account for up to five years. You can access a comprehensive credit report from Credit Info (a CRB provider) for Ksh 50.
Available Loan Options: Comparison and Selection
When to Choose Each Loan Duration
7-Day Loan (3.85% cost): Ideal for urgent, short-term cash needs or merchants with immediate transaction requirements. Best for rapid cash flow management with minimal cost. Suitable for weekly inventory restocking or urgent operational expenses.
14-Day Loan (4.71% cost): Suitable for merchants needing funds for bi-weekly inventory restocking or operational expenses. Provides a balanced middle ground between affordability and extended repayment flexibility.
30-Day Loan (6.41% cost): Best for merchants requiring longer repayment periods for larger purchases or investments. Highest cost reflects extended access to capital over a full month.
Strategic Selection Considerations
Merchants should evaluate their business cash flow and select loan durations matching their anticipated revenue cycles. Choosing a duration too short risks being unable to repay on time, while selecting longer terms increases overall borrowing costs. The new flexible repayment structure means funds are recovered when there's inflow on the till, allowing business continuity.
Partnership Financial Institutions
Safaricom has partnered with KCB, Pezesha, and Sidian Bank to offer the facility. Merchants may have options to choose their preferred lender based on creditworthiness assessment. Each partner may have different underwriting criteria and terms, so comparing options when available can help merchants find the best fit for their business needs.
