Quick answer
Faraja is a zero-interest buy now, pay later service on M-Pesa run by EDOMx with Safaricom and Equity Bank. Dial *799# to opt in, pay participating merchants through Buy Goods or Paybill, and repay within 30 days. Limits range from KSh 20 to KSh 100,000.
Updated 19 October 2026
Faraja is a buy now, pay later service on M-Pesa that lets you pay for goods at selected Lipa na M-Pesa shops on credit and settle the bill within 30 days without paying interest. It is run by Kenyan fintech EDOMx, with Safaricom providing the M-Pesa channel and Equity Bank providing the money that pays merchants instantly. This guide explains how to opt in, how to pay with it, how to repay, and the limits you should know before you rely on it.
In this guide
What Faraja Is and Who Runs It
Safaricom and EDOMx announced Faraja on 27 July 2023. According to Safaricom’s press release, the service lets M-Pesa customers buy goods and services worth between KSh 20 and KSh 100,000 at zero interest and complete payment within 30 days. The business you buy from is paid in full immediately, and EDOMx then collects the money from you.
The launch came after a long wait for regulatory approval. Business Daily reported that the Central Bank of Kenya initially held the product back while digital lenders were being brought under its licensing rules, and later cleared it. The paper also reported that Equity Bank funds the instant settlement to merchants, while EDOMx earns its money from a discount of roughly seven to ten percent that participating merchants give it, which is why the customer is not charged interest.
That model is the key difference between Faraja and other M-Pesa credit. Fuliza and most loan apps charge you fees or interest. With Faraja, the cost sits with the merchant, not with you, as long as you repay on time.
Where You Can Use Faraja
Faraja works only at businesses that have signed up for it. At launch, Safaricom named all Naivas outlets, Goodlife pharmacies and City Walk among the participating merchants. Other businesses on Lipa na M-Pesa can join through the Faraja merchant portal or by contacting EDOMx, so the list grows over time. Ask at the till before you shop, because a merchant that is not on Faraja cannot accept it.
Faraja cannot be used to send money to another person or to withdraw cash. It is meant only for paying for goods and services through Buy Goods (till numbers) and Paybill at participating businesses.
Who Qualifies
You need an active Safaricom line with a registered M-Pesa account. Guides published around the launch, including one by Tech With Muchiri, say Faraja is open to qualifying M-Pesa customers and that each person’s limit depends on a credit assessment, much like any other digital credit product. The same guides report that Faraja is limited to two accounts per national ID.
Your limit can be anywhere from KSh 20 up to KSh 100,000. A new user usually starts low, and the limit is reviewed based on how you use and repay the facility.
How to Opt In to Faraja
- Dial *799# on your Safaricom line, or open the Faraja mini-app in the M-Pesa app.
- Select Opt In.
- Read the terms, then enter your M-Pesa PIN to accept them.
- Wait for an SMS from Safaricom with your Faraja credit limit.
If you get a message saying you do not qualify yet, keep using M-Pesa normally and try again later. Limits are based on your history, so a line that has been active for a while and is used regularly stands a better chance.
How to Pay for Goods With Faraja
- At a participating shop, dial *799# or open the Faraja mini-app.
- Choose Buy Goods or Paybill, depending on what the business uses.
- Enter the till number, or the paybill and account number.
- Enter the amount, which must be within your available limit.
- Confirm with your M-Pesa PIN and wait for the confirmation SMS. The merchant receives the full amount straight away.
Safaricom says you can make several purchases at the same time as long as their total stays within your assigned limit. If you are new to paybill payments, our guide on how to pay a paybill with M-Pesa covers the common mistakes, such as typing the wrong account number.
How to Repay Faraja
Each purchase must be paid back within 30 days. To repay, dial *799# and choose the repayment option, then pick the transaction you want to clear. Launch guides say you can repay one transaction at a time and make partial payments, and the money is taken from your M-Pesa balance.
There is no interest on the credit itself, but normal M-Pesa transaction charges can apply when you move money, so check the charge shown before you confirm a repayment. Paying early and in full is the surest way to keep your limit and see it grow.
What Happens If You Pay Late
Faraja does not add interest when you are late, according to the launch guides. The real cost of a late payment is losing access. Guides reported that customers who miss the 30-day deadline can be locked out of the product. Because Faraja is regulated digital credit, a default can also affect how lenders see you, so treat the 30 days as a firm deadline.
Faraja vs Fuliza
| Feature | Faraja | Fuliza |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Buy now, pay later at selected merchants | Overdraft on your M-Pesa account |
| Cost to you | No interest if repaid within 30 days | Access fee plus daily maintenance fees |
| Send money or withdraw cash | No | Yes |
| Where it works | Only at participating Lipa na M-Pesa businesses | Any M-Pesa transaction when your balance is short |
| Limit | KSh 20 to KSh 100,000, based on assessment | Based on Safaricom’s assessment of your usage |
For a full breakdown of the overdraft side, see our explainer on how Fuliza works and what it costs.
Tips Before You Use Faraja
- Use it for planned spending. Zero interest is useful for groceries or pharmacy bills you would buy anyway. It is not a reason to spend more.
- Set a reminder. Note the date of each purchase and repay well before day 30.
- Never share your PIN. Safaricom and EDOMx do not ask for your M-Pesa PIN by phone. Fraudsters often pretend to be “Faraja agents” offering higher limits.
- Know your rights. Buy now, pay later providers in Kenya now fall under Central Bank of Kenya oversight, and Parliament has been looking at complaints in the sector, as we reported in our story on MPs probing buy now, pay later lenders.
For other M-Pesa questions, our Safaricom help hub covers reversals, Fuliza and app issues.
Frequently asked questions
How do I activate Faraja on M-Pesa?
Dial *799# or open the Faraja mini-app in the M-Pesa app, select Opt In, accept the terms with your M-Pesa PIN, and wait for an SMS with your limit.
Does Faraja charge interest?
No. Faraja charges no interest if you repay within 30 days. The merchant pays EDOMx a discount instead. Normal M-Pesa charges can still apply when you repay.
Can I withdraw Faraja money as cash?
No. Faraja can only be used to pay participating businesses through Buy Goods or Paybill. It cannot be sent to another person or withdrawn.
What is the Faraja limit?
Limits range from KSh 20 to KSh 100,000. Your own limit depends on a credit assessment and on how well you repay.
What is the Faraja customer care number?
EDOMx lists 0111 799 799 as its contact number on its Faraja terms page, and its office is in Westlands, Nairobi.
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