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Lending

Loan USSD codes that don't need a smartphone (Kenya 2026)

Every mainstream Kenyan mobile loan accessible from a feature phone, ranked.

AO
by Reviewed by Michael Mwangi 9 min read Updated 26 August 2026Verified 26 Aug 2026

Ranked by cost

  1. Hustler Fund via *254#. 8 percent per annum. Cheapest. Small amounts.
  2. M-Shwari via *334# > Loans and Savings > M-Shwari. Historically 7.5 percent per 30 days flat.
  3. KCB M-PESA via *334# > Loans and Savings > KCB M-PESA. Tiered facility fee, higher ceiling.
  4. Absa Timiza via *848#. Facility fee for short tenures.
  5. Equity Eazzy via *247#. Bank-priced.
  6. Co-op Msamaria via *667#. Bank-priced.
  7. Fuliza via *334#. Overdraft, daily fee. Cheap for 1 to 2 days, expensive if it sits.

Lenders that require a smartphone

Tala, Branch, Zenka, iPesa, Berry, and most other app-based lenders require a smartphone with the app installed. There is no reliable USSD workaround for these; see Tala USSD alternatives.

What to check before dialling

  • SIM is fully registered in your name.
  • You are on the correct network for the code (most codes work on Safaricom; some also work on Airtel or Telkom).
  • You have signal.
  • You know your M-PESA PIN and, if applicable, the lender PIN (Timiza, Eazzy, M-Co-op Cash all use their own PIN separate from M-PESA).

Worked example: emergency KES 3,000 loan on a feature phone

  1. Dial *254#. Try Hustler Fund first: if limit is at least KES 3,000, borrow there at 8 percent p.a.
  2. If limit less than 3,000, dial *334#. Try M-Shwari next.
  3. If M-Shwari declines or caps below need, try KCB M-PESA in the same menu.
  4. If both decline, dial *334# for Fuliza (if you have a limit).

Sources

  1. Safaricom PLC. M-PESA menu structure, safaricom.co.ke.
  2. Government of Kenya. Hustler Fund product terms.
  3. Individual banks (Absa, Equity, Co-op) for their respective USSD product terms.

FAQ

Can I get a loan without a smartphone in Kenya?

Yes. Hustler Fund (*254#), KCB M-PESA and M-Shwari (via M-PESA menu *334#), Fuliza (*334#), Timiza (*848#), Equity Eazzy (*247#), and Co-op M-Co-op Cash (*667#) all work on any Safaricom-registered handset, including feature phones.

What is the cheapest loan on USSD only?

Hustler Fund at 8 percent per annum via *254#. Then M-Shwari at 7.5 percent per 30 days via *334#, then KCB M-PESA (varies by tier).

Further reading

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