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iPesa loan review (2026): what it is, licence check, and honest ranking

A widely-installed app lender. Verify the licence before drawing.

AO
by Reviewed by Michael Mwangi 8 min read Updated 26 August 2026Verified 26 Aug 2026

What iPesa is

iPesa is an Android app that offers short-tenure unsecured loans disbursed to M-PESA. It has been one of the most-installed app lenders in the country, largely thanks to aggressive marketing and low-friction onboarding.

Verify licence first

  1. Open the iPesa terms in-app and note the registered company name.
  2. Search the CBK register for that name (not for "iPesa").
  3. Cross-check on the paybillke CBK licence checker.

Pricing

iPesa prices as a flat facility fee per short-tenure loan. Specific rates are not verified for this review; read the confirmation screen before you accept.

Reputation and complaints

iPesa has attracted a mixed reputation in user reviews, with recurring complaints about aggressive push notifications and short repayment windows. Recurring complaints are not proof of misconduct, but they are a signal.

Who iPesa suits

Only if CBK-licensed and only for a small short loan you can definitely repay inside the initial term. There is no obvious rate or product advantage over Tala, Branch, or Zenka.

If something goes wrong

  1. Raise support ticket in-app.
  2. Complain to CBK Consumer Protection on 0800 720 000, citing the registered company name.
  3. For data-protection concerns, escalate to the ODPC.

Sources

  1. Central Bank of Kenya. Register of non-deposit-taking credit providers.
  2. Business Laws (Amendment) Act No. 20 of 2024.
  3. iPesa rate specifics not independently verified for this review.

FAQ

Is iPesa licensed by CBK?

iPesa is operated by a registered company. To verify, check the app terms for the exact registered company name and search the CBK non-deposit-taking credit providers register. Do not rely on the brand name alone; the register uses registered names, not brands.

What does iPesa charge?

Flat facility fee per short-tenure loan, in the low-double-digit percent range. Specific figures are not verified in this review; read the in-app confirmation before drawing.

Does iPesa check CRB?

Yes, if CBK-licensed. Missed repayments are reported on the standard 30 to 90 day default timeline.

Further reading

Curated external sources we cite. Open in a new tab.