Guides

Fuliza Biashara: Overdraft for M-Pesa Business Tills

Safaricom SIM card pack in a hand: Fuliza Biashara
Safaricom SIM card pack in a hand. Photo: Bill Maurer. Uploaded to Flickr by Institute for Money, Technology and Financial / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Updated 18 October 2026

Fuliza Biashara is Fuliza for businesses. When your M-Pesa Business Till does not have enough money to complete a payment, such as paying a supplier or a paybill, Fuliza Biashara covers the gap up to your limit. It then repays itself automatically from your incoming collections. Used well, it smooths out short cash gaps. Used carelessly, its daily charges add up. This guide explains who qualifies, what it costs, how it compares with personal Fuliza and how to use it wisely.

How It Works

  1. You opt in to Fuliza Biashara on your Business Till.
  2. Safaricom assigns a limit based on your till activity.
  3. When you make a payment larger than your till balance, you are offered Fuliza Biashara to complete it.
  4. The amount drawn becomes an overdraft.
  5. As customers pay into your till, the money first goes to clear what you owe.

Who Qualifies

Businesses with an M-Pesa Business Till that has at least six months of business activity. The limit depends on your collections and history, and it can grow as you use and repay the facility.

What It Costs

Item Detail
Who qualifies Business Tills with at least six months of activity
Fee per draw 2% of the amount drawn
Daily maintenance fee KSh 12 to KSh 250 depending on the amount outstanding
Repayment Automatic from incoming till collections

The exact daily fee for your outstanding balance shows on the menu and in Safaricom’s tariff. Because the daily fee runs for as long as you owe, repaying quickly keeps the cost low.

Worked Example

Say you draw KSh 10,000 to pay a supplier before the weekend rush. The 2% draw fee is KSh 200. A daily fee within the published range then applies to the outstanding balance each day until your collections clear it. If sales repay it within a day or two, the total cost is small. If it stays outstanding for weeks, the daily fees can make it expensive compared with a fixed term loan.

Safaricom M-Pesa shopfront in Kenya: illustrating Fuliza Biashara
Safaricom M-Pesa shopfront in Kenya. Photo: Realt0n12 / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

How It Compares With Personal Fuliza

Personal Fuliza charges 1% per draw with lower daily fees, but it is tied to your own wallet. Using personal Fuliza for business payments mixes business and personal debt, which makes it harder to understand your business finances. Keep business borrowing on the business till. See our Fuliza charges guide for personal rates.

Pochi la Biashara Users: Pochi Fuliza

Pochi la Biashara has its own overdraft, Pochi Fuliza, for traders with six months of Pochi activity. It has been described as charging 1% per draw, with 48 hours interest free and daily fees up to KSh 30. Opt in on *334# under Pochi la Biashara by choosing Join Pochi Fuliza.

Fuliza Biashara or Taasi Till Loan?

Feature Fuliza Biashara Taasi Till Loan
How it works Automatic overdraft on payments Fixed loan amount
Cost 2% per draw plus daily fees Fixed fee by period
Best for Very short, unpredictable gaps Planned needs, like a week of stock

Remember that collections go to clear the overdraft first, so plan for a smaller usable balance on the days after a big draw.

Using It Wisely

  • Use it to bridge short gaps, not as long term capital.
  • Draw only what you need for the payment.
  • Check what you owe daily and push to clear it fast.
  • If you are always in Fuliza, look at pricing, stock levels and expenses rather than relying on credit.

Tracking the True Cost Each Month

At the end of each month, look at your till statement and add up every Fuliza Biashara draw fee and daily charge. Divide the total by the amount you borrowed to see what the overdraft really cost. If the figure is creeping up, it usually means balances are staying outstanding too long. Compare it with what a fixed term loan would have cost for the same need. This simple check tells you whether the overdraft is helping your business or quietly eating your margin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can get Fuliza Biashara?

Business Tills with at least six months of activity.

How much does Fuliza Biashara cost?

2% per draw plus a daily fee of KSh 12 to KSh 250 depending on the balance.

How do I repay?

Automatically from incoming till collections, or by depositing into the till.

Can I use it for cash withdrawals?

It is designed to complete till payments. Check the menu for what it covers.

How do I opt in?

Through *234# on the line linked to your Business Till, under Business Loans.

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About Author

Norah Waceke is a business journalist and editor at Business Radar with more than eight years of experience covering Kenya's economy, companies and markets. She previously worked at Kenyans.co.ke, one of the country's leading digital news platforms, where she reported on business, finance and current affairs. A graduate of Multimedia University of Kenya, Norah focuses on clear, accurate reporting that helps readers understand the money stories shaping their lives and businesses.

More from Norah Waceke · Editorial policy

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