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Timiza review (2026): Absa Kenya's mobile loan, rates and limits

Absa's mobile lending product. Modest rates for eligible borrowers, plus paired savings and insurance.

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

Who runs Timiza

Timiza is a product of Absa Bank Kenya PLC (formerly Barclays Kenya). Absa is a CBK-licensed commercial bank; Timiza is an Absa banking product delivered through a mobile-first channel (USSD and app).

How the product works

Access via *848# or the Timiza app. New users complete onboarding and are scored for an initial limit. Loans disburse to your Timiza wallet or to M-PESA, and are repaid via M-PESA or Absa banking.

Timiza also offers a savings product and short-term insurance components inside the app, alongside airtime and utility payments.

Pricing

Timiza has historically priced short-tenure loans at a flat facility fee in the low-single-digit percent per 30-day range, plus statutory excise and a small insurance component. That has made Timiza one of the cheaper bank-backed mobile lenders when eligible. Rates change; verify the exact figure at drawdown.

Who Timiza suits

Best for existing Absa customers, or borrowers who value the paired savings and insurance products. Weaker fit for users with no Absa banking history, who may find limits capped low.

If something goes wrong

  1. Contact Absa via the Timiza in-app support or the Absa customer service line published on absabank.co.ke.
  2. Escalate to CBK Consumer Protection on 0800 720 000 if unresolved.

Sources

  1. Central Bank of Kenya. Directory of licensed commercial banks.
  2. Absa Bank Kenya PLC. Timiza product terms, absabank.co.ke and *848# menu.

FAQ

Who runs Timiza?

Absa Bank Kenya PLC, a CBK-licensed commercial bank. Timiza is an Absa mobile lending product accessed via *848# and the Timiza app.

What does Timiza cost?

Timiza has historically priced at a flat facility fee around 5 percent per 30-day loan with a small insurance component on top. Verify the exact fee on your own screen; treat any specific number as unverified until confirmed.

What is the Timiza limit?

Starting limits are small; ceiling grows with Absa banking history and repayment record.

Is Timiza CRB-reported?

Yes. Absa reports defaults to the three CBK-licensed CRBs on the standard timeline.

Further reading

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