The list of mobile loan Apps in Kenya keeps rising and as of 2019 there were more than 20 Apps in existence. Mobile loans have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of these loans include:
They are cheap
- Easy to get
- No guarantors needed
- Flexible payment terms
Disadvantages
- They have limits
- You can be listed with CRB if you don’t pay promptly
- Addictive
Nowadays people prefer mobile loans than loans obtained from banks, which is why companies offering loans via mobile phones have grown tremendously.
If you wish to receive loans through your mobile, here is a list of companies to approach:
- Tala
Tala is one of the oldest and most reliable mobile Apps in Kenya. The App is currently in Kenya, Tanzania, Philippines, Mexico and India.
For you to get a loan from Tala,you must download an App and apply for the loan.It takes few hours for the approval to take effect.
If your payment history is good,you’ll be eligible for a loan of up to Ksh 50,000.
- Branch
The second loan App in Kenya is Branch. Currently, this company has over 100,000 customers and each day over 1,000 Kenyans apply for a loan from Branch.
The minimum loan you can get from Branch is Ksh 250 while the maximum is Ksh70,000. The amount to be given depends on your repayment history and whether you’ve been listed at CRB or not.
Requirements to get a loan from Branch- all you need to apply is your phone number or Facebook account, National ID and mobile money account. The company will also request access to the data on your phone in order determine your eligibility.
Branch can either accept or reject your application based on the report they receive from CRB or from your contacts. Approval for the loan takes up to 24 hours.
- Saida
The third and one of the most popular loan Apps in Kenya is Saida.Though it came to the market late, Saida’s growth has been exponential, attracting over 500 applicants daily.
When you want a loan from Saida,all you have to do is to download Saida App and apply for the loan by following simple steps. The company will communicate promptly, within 1 hour of application.
The maximum amount of loan offered by Saida is Ksh70,000, this is due to the limit imposed by MPESA that you can’t transfer more than Ksh70,000 at once.
- Zidisha
If you want a loan which does not charge interest, then Zidisha will be the best company to approach. Like any other mobile loan App,Zidisha requires that you download their App and apply using the basic details that describes you.The company will take few hours to respond.
- Jazika
Jazika’s loan ceiling is much higher than that of other companies. Unlike other companies which allow application of up to Ksh70,000, Jazika gives loans of up to Ksh100,000.
When repaying Jazika loan, us this paybill number: 687035
The interest rate varies between 1% and 14 % based on the amount of money one takes and the duration of repayment. But the good thing is that interest rates for Jazika do not go past 14%
KCB Mobile Banking
KCB also offers mobile banking facility.If you own an account at KCB,you can request a loan any time of the day .The first thing to do is,download KCB mobile App and apply for the loan.
- Mshwari
M-Shwari is a paperless banking service offered through M-PESA. It will:
- Enable you open and operate an M-Shwari bank account through your mobile phone, via M-PESA, without having to visit banks or fill out any forms.
- Provide you the ability to move money in and out of your M-Shwari savings account to your M-PESA account at no charge.
- Give you an opportunity to save as little as KSHs.1 and earn interest of up to 6.65% p.a on your saving balance. This cash is moved into the savings account via M-PESA.
- Enable you to access micro credit product (loan) of a minimum of KSHs.100 any time and receive your loan instantly on your M-PESA account charged at a facility fee of 7.5%
- Save for a fixed period of time (Lock Savings Account) and earn interest of up to 70% of the Central bank Rate.
This is a product for everyone who feels that banking should be hassle-free. No forms to fill in, no branches to visit. Just one click on your phone and you have a savings account!
How to sign up
- Access through the M-PESA menu > Select Loans and Savings > Select M-PESA and Activate.
Features
Deposit
The M-Shwari Deposit Account is a micro-savings product which allows you to securely store your money for a specific purpose or for an unexpected event in your life. Enjoy the following features when you save with M-Shwari:
- No minimum balance
- No charges levied on the account
- No charges for moving money from M-PESA to M-Shwari account and vice versa
- In line with the Banking (Amendment) Act 2016, all deposits on M-Shwari will earn interest of up to 70% of the Central Bank Rate
- Loans
The M-Shwari Loan Account is a micro-credit product which allows you to borrow money in times of need or to complement your savings towards an investment or enterprise. A one-time fee of 7.5% is levied for each loan. Borrow with M-Shwari and start to build your credit history today.
In order to qualify for a loan all you need is to be an M-PESA subscriber for 6 months, save on M-Shwari and actively use other Safaricom services such as voice, data and M-PESA. To enquire how much you can borrow, go to M-Shwari, Loan, check Loan Limit.
You can access loan limits from as low as Ksh.100 and up to Ksh.50,000.
Enjoy repayment period of one month.
Loan repayment can be made via M-PESA, or from the M-Shwari account.
- Usawa Mobile Loan
Usawa gives 100% mobile loans.Whay you need to so is download the App and make an application. While applying loan, the App will notify you on the amount you qualify for, based on questioneer answered , SMS ONLY LINEing pattern, sms and how you use your M-Pesa. Usawa will send the loan to your M-Pesa account immediately and explain the repayment terms.
- Timiza
Timiza is a mobile loan facility launched by Barclays Bank.It’s available to Barclays account holders as well as other MPESA users.
To get a loan from Timiza,you just visit Google Play Store and download their App,then make an application for the loan.It will take up to 24 hours for your loan to be approved.
- Stawika
Another App you should download is Stawika.This company is known for offering cheap loan through MPESA.You can get as little as Ksh 500 and as high as Ksh 70,000 via MPESA.The moment you downloand the App, follow simple steps in application. The company will ask to get access to your contact where the will contact a few in regards to your credit history. They will also get a report from CRB before approving your loan.
Conclusion
Mobile loans are good but if you develop a habit of applying for a loan to every company, you will finally be blacklisted by CRB for failure to pay.It’s advisable to regulate yourself; if possible get a soft loan from a friend.