How to Borrow M-PESA Loans 2026: USSD & App Steps

To borrow on M-PESA, dial *334# for personal loans (M-Shwari, KCB M-PESA, Fuliza) or *234# for business (Fuliza Biashara). The menu paths below assume you have opted in to each product; first-time users see an Activate prompt instead of a Loan prompt.

M-Shwari, step by step

Step	What you press	Screen shows
1	*334# then dial	M-PESA main menu
2	4 (Loans and Savings)	Loans and Savings menu
3	1 (M-Shwari)	M-Shwari menu
4	2 (Loan)	Request Loan
5	Type amount	Confirm fee and total repayable
6	Enter M-PESA PIN	Loan credited to M-PESA

M-Shwari minimum is KES 1,000. Cost is 9 percent total for 30 days. Full pricing in the M-Shwari review.

KCB M-PESA, step by step

Step	What you press	Screen shows
1	*334# then dial	M-PESA main menu
2	4 (Loans and Savings)	Loans and Savings menu
3	2 (KCB M-PESA)	KCB M-PESA menu
4	2 (Loan)	Request Loan
5	Type amount	Facility fee shown, confirm
6	Enter M-PESA PIN	Loan credited

KCB M-PESA minimum is KES 100, max KES 1,000,000. Cost is 8.93 percent facility fee for 30 days. Passport-registered customers are blocked. Full details in the KCB M-PESA review.

Personal Fuliza, step by step

Personal Fuliza is not a menu you enter. It engages automatically when you try to send, pay, or withdraw more than your M-PESA balance and you have opted in. To check your limit or opt in:

Step	What you press	Purpose
1	*334# then Loans and Savings	Fuliza menu
2	1 (Fuliza limit)	See your assigned overdraft limit
3	2 (Opt in / opt out)	Activate or deactivate Fuliza

Once opted in, the next time you attempt an M-PESA transaction that exceeds your balance, the phone prompts you to complete it using Fuliza. See Fuliza true cost 2026 for the fee band table.

Fuliza Biashara, step by step

Fuliza Biashara is the overdraft for M-PESA business tills. Dial from the phone registered as the till's primary contact.

Step	What you press	Screen shows
1	*234# then dial	Menu shows Fuliza Biashara option on till lines
2	Select Fuliza Biashara	Biashara menu
3	Opt in (first time)	Accept terms
4	Use the till	Overdraft covers shortfalls automatically up to your limit

Fuliza Biashara: minimum KES 1, maximum KES 400,000. 2 percent per disbursement plus daily band fee. 30-day repayment window; miss 91 days and the business is listed on CRB. See Fuliza Biashara explained.

Common USSD problems

Menu option missing. You have not opted in. Look for Activate in the same menu.
Loan menu missing entirely. Your limit is zero. See why your M-PESA loan limit is zero.
PIN rejected repeatedly. Three wrong PINs lock M-PESA. Reset by dialling *334# then Change PIN, or call Safaricom 100.
Session timed out. USSD sessions expire fast. Redial and go straight to the option; do not linger on any screen.

Sources

Safaricom PLC. M-PESA menu structure and USSD codes. Verified on a Safaricom line 30 August 2026.
Safaricom PLC. Loans and Savings product pages at safaricom.co.ke.

FAQ

Which USSD do I dial for an M-PESA loan?

Dial *334# for personal M-PESA loans (M-Shwari, KCB M-PESA, Fuliza). Dial *234# for Fuliza Biashara from the phone registered to your till.

Do I need the M-PESA app?

No. Every M-PESA loan product is accessible through *334# (or *234# for Biashara). The M-PESA app mirrors the same options but the USSD works on any Safaricom line without data.

Why does my menu not show KCB M-PESA?

You have not opted in to KCB M-PESA. Dial *334#, pick Loans and Savings, then KCB M-PESA, then Activate. Passport-registered users cannot opt in (KCB policy).