Fuliza Overdraft and CRB: Does Fuliza Affect Your Credit Report?
Updated April 2026 • 6 min read
What is Fuliza?
Fuliza is Safaricom's M-Pesa overdraft facility launched in January 2019 in partnership with KCB Bank and NCBA Bank. It automatically tops up your M-Pesa wallet when your balance is insufficient to complete a transaction — allowing you to "borrow" in real time.
Fuliza limits range from Ksh 200 to Ksh 70,000 based on your M-Pesa usage score. Unlike M-Shwari (a separate loan product), Fuliza is a revolving overdraft that is recovered from the next M-Pesa top-up or receipt.
As of 2024, over 19 million Kenyans had active Fuliza access, making it the most widely used credit product in the country.
Does Fuliza Report to CRB?
This is one of the most searched questions in Kenya's fintech space. The answer is nuanced:
- Normal Fuliza usage (borrowed and repaid automatically) — generally does not generate a standalone CRB entry for each transaction
- Persistent outstanding Fuliza balance of 90+ days without repayment — can be reported as NPL to CRBs under the KCB/NCBA banking licenses
- Fuliza usage data feeds Safaricom's internal M-Pesa score, which influences your limit on all Safaricom products and is shared with bureau partners
Safaricom updated its terms in 2023 to explicitly state that chronic Fuliza non-repayment would lead to CRB reporting. If your Fuliza balance remains outstanding for an extended period and you've also ceased M-Pesa activity, you risk a negative listing.
How Fuliza Debt Accumulates
Fuliza charges a daily access fee (not a traditional interest rate), which ranges from Ksh 2 to Ksh 30 per day depending on your limit tier. If you borrow Ksh 2,000 and don't repay for 30 days, the fee alone could add Ksh 600+ on top of the principal.
Fuliza debt is automatically deducted when money enters your M-Pesa. If you avoid receiving money (e.g., using a different phone), the outstanding balance grows, eventually flagging you in the system.
Impact of Fuliza on Your Credit Profile
| Scenario | CRB Impact |
|---|---|
| Borrowed & auto-repaid on next top-up | None — normal revolving usage |
| Balance outstanding 1–89 days | Low risk; internal Safaricom score affected |
| Balance outstanding 90+ days, account active | NPL flag possible; CRB report at risk |
| Balance outstanding, account dormant | High CRB risk; formal listing likely |
| High Fuliza utilization (always near limit) | Reduces M-Pesa score; may affect external bureau score |
How to Manage Fuliza Responsibly
- Check your current Fuliza balance by dialling *234# on Safaricom
- Repay promptly — the daily fee makes this one of the most expensive credit products per day if left running
- Opt out of Fuliza if you don't use it — this removes the temptation and the associated risk. Dial *234# → Manage → Opt Out
- Don't avoid incoming M-Pesa — Fuliza is designed to self-repay; blocking incoming transfers just makes the situation worse
What to Do If Fuliza Has Hurt Your CRB
- Check your CRB report to confirm whether a Fuliza-related listing exists
- Repay any outstanding Fuliza balance via *234# or by receiving money on M-Pesa
- Contact Safaricom customer care (100) for a clearance confirmation if the amount is large
- Wait 30 days for the bureau to update, then re-check your CRB report
Check If Fuliza Has Affected Your CRB
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