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Chumz App: How To Save Smarter,One Shilling At A Time

· 7 min read
Hezron Cheruiyot
Freelancer and Fintech Enthusiast
virtual-cards-in-kenya

Chumz is a Kenyan-built savings app that helps users to save money intentionally,even if you earn irregularly or in small amounts,a common occurrence for the regular Kenyan.Built by Moneto Ventures Ltd in partnership with Nabo Capital and regulated by the Central Bank Of Kenya (CBK),Chumz is designed for the everyday Kenyan smartphone owner who wants to save from the comfort of their fingertips without the complexity of traditional banking.

Unlike Banks or SACCOs,Chumz is mobile-first,behavior-driven,and built for flexibility.You can:

  • Set personal and group savings goals.
  • Automate savings based on behavior(e.g. round trips,daily prompts)
  • Lock savings for access to higher interest rates
  • Withdraw to M-PESA whenever you need to

Chumz mobile app is available on Android and iOS,and works entirely through mobile money,meaning no paperwork,no queues and no minimum balances to worry about,just you and your saving targets.

M-PESA Fintech 2.0: How Safaricom’s Biggest Upgrade Is Reshaping Mobile Money In Kenya

· 5 min read
Hezron Cheruiyot
Freelancer and Fintech Enthusiast

In 2025,Safaricom launched its most ambitious upgrade to M-PESA since the service began in 2007.Dubbed "Fintech 2.0",this is more than just a technical refresh or overhaul,it is a strategic leap designed to future proof Kenya's most trusted mobile money platform.

At a glance,the upgrade introduces:

  • A new cloud-native architecture
  • AI powered fraud detection and self-healing system
  • Increased transaction capacity from 4,500 to 6,000 per second,scalable up to 12000
  • Faster deployments for savings,lending,insurance,and merchant tools
  • Enhanced support for developers and third-party fintech integration

For millions of Kenyans,this simply means faster,safer,and more flexible mobile money.This works for both regular users and technical builders who rely on M-PESA services.

Lipa Mdogo Mdogo And Similar Services In Kenya

· 8 min read
Brian Otieno
Financial Realist and Fintech Analyst

In Kenya,owning a smartphone used to mean saving for months or buying a second hand phone.With the technology we have today,financial services such as Lipa Mdogo Mdogo has changed that,this service allows users to pay as little as KSh 20 a day to own a new device.This shift has opened up digital access to millions of Kenyans,especially the youth,small business owners and rural communities.

This service,commonly known as Pay-as-you-go service,comes in different variants,Lipa Mdogo Mdogo being one of them,Lipa Mdogo Mdogo can be categorized as device financing,but there are other Pay-as-you-go services that are designed for other products including TVs,appliances,furniture,and even farming tools,depending on the provider.

While Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and Buy-now-pay-later(BNPL) models offer convenience,they also come with costs,conditions and associated risks.This guide breaks down how Lipa Mdogo Mdogo and similar services work,who qualifies,and what to consider before signing up.

Zenka Loan App Review: Flexible Loans For Kenyan Borrowers

· 6 min read
Brian Otieno
Financial Realist and Fintech Analyst

Zenka is one of Kenya's most popular mobile lending and loan app.With over 10 million downloads on the google playstore alone,it is clearly a go-to mobile lending solution for many kenyans.Zenka is known for its flexible repayment options,transparent terms,and dual access via the mobile app and using its USSD.Zenka has built a reputation for offering fast,collateral-free loans to individuals and small businesses.

Zenka targets borrowers who need quick access to credit,whether for emergencies,business restocking or other personal expenses.It also offers a unique first-loan promotion with zero interest,this means that for the first loan if you borrowed KSh 3,000 for your first loan,you only have to repay back KSh 3,000.

Understanding Overdraft Services In Kenya: What You Should Know Before Using One

· 9 min read
Brian Otieno
Financial Realist and Fintech Analyst

In Kenya,overdraft services have become a common and popular financial tool for various individuals and businesses alike.From Fuliza helping you to complete an M-PESA transaction when you are short on money,or a bank overdraft covering that temporary cashflow gap,overdrafts often come in handy,offering quick and flexible financial help,this does not mean that they are devoid of costs and risks.

This post will help guide and explain to you how overdraft services work in Kenya,the types available,and what you should consider before using one.It is designed to help you make informed decisions,avoid unnecessary charges and help you make use of overdraft services responsibly.

Branch Loan App Review : Fast, Flexible Loans For Kenyans On The Move

· 7 min read
Brian Otieno
Financial Realist and Fintech Analyst

As of 2025 Branch is one of the most downloaded mobile loan apps in Kenya.It offers instant,collateral-free loans to individuals and small businesses via a user-friendly mobile app.Branch has amassed over 50 million downloads globally and created a strong presence in Kenya,Branch has positioned itself as a go-to option for borrowers seeking credit without paperwork or guarantors.

It doesn't matter whether you are a student covering exam fees,mama mboga seeking to restock or a boda boda rider fixing a puncture or seeking to renew your license.Branch is a mobile money first,mobile app that promises quick access to funds,directly to your M-PESA.

Understanding Interest Rates In Kenya, What You Should Know Before Taking A Loan

· 6 min read
Brian Otieno
Financial Realist and Fintech Analyst

In Kenya, borrowing money is part of everyday life.This could be through mobile loan applications,SACCOs,Banks or even shylocks.People have different reasons for borrowing money,however all loans have something in common,Interest Rates.

Interest Rates determine how much money a borrower will return to the lender and is mostly determined by the duration i.e a week, a month or even a year, depending on the terms of the loan.Many Kenyans often take loans without fully understanding how interest rates work and hence they end up paying far much more than they expected.

This guide breaks down interest rates in simple terms.It explains how they are calculated,what affects them,and how to compare different interest rates wisely.Understanding interest rates is the key to making smart financial decisions.

What Is An APR? Understanding Annual Percentage Rate In Kenyan Loans

· 6 min read
Brian Otieno
Financial Realist and Fintech Analyst

If you've ever borrowed a quick loan from a mobile app,SACCO or even your local shylock,you've probably had that sinking feeling, "Why am I paying back so much more than I borrowed?".

That is where APR(Annual Percentage Rate) comes in.APR is the real cost of borrowing money,expressed as a yearly percentage.It is not just the interest rate that you often see in flashy ads,it is more than that,it often includes fees,charges and hidden costs.

For Kenyans,whether youth,entrepreneurs or students seeking financial aid through credit or loans,understanding APR is like learning the rule of the game.Without it you're playing the game blindfolded.With it,you can compare loans fairly,avoid traps and make smarter financial moves in the future.This article will breakdown the various aspects about APR that you should know.

What Is CRB In Kenya? How To Check Your Status And Get Cleared Fast

· 5 min read
Brian Otieno
Financial Realist and Fintech Analyst

The Credit Reference Bureau(CRB) is a licensed institution in Kenya that collects and maintains credit information on various individuals and businesses.In this context credit information refers to detailed data about a person's or business's borrowing behavior.You can think of it as your financial report card,which shows how well or poorly you've been paying back your loans.

  • If you pay back on time, CRB records a positive credit history.
  • If you default,delay or ignore repayment,CRB records a negative credit history (commonly called being "blacklisted")

Lenders such as banks,SACCOs,mobile loan apps like TALA,Branch,M-SHWARI,Fuliza,Hustler Fund and even Microfinance Institutions use CRB to decide whether to give credit or not.

Basically,your CRB Status can make or break your financial future.

PayPal To M-PESA Just Got Easier: Exploring The New PayPal M-PESA Mini App Experience

· 6 min read
Hezron Cheruiyot
Freelancer and Fintech Enthusiast
PayPal to M-PESA Mini App

For years Kenyans,especially freelancers,digital creators and online gig workers have relied on PayPal to get paid by international clients,due to this there have been some efforts by Safaricom to enable Kenyans to withdraw money directly from their PayPal accounts to their local M-PESA accounts,but let's be honest the process has not always been easy or smooth.Long wait times,clunky interfaces and the need to juggle between different apps has made this process frustrating.

Now, with the PayPal Mini App experience,things are changing.This new feature integrates PayPal directly into the M-PESA Super App,creating a seamless bridge between global payments and local financial access.For Kenyans that rely on both of this digital platforms,this definitely is a welcomed improvement and upgrade.Let us walkthrough the new Mini App experience and explore what is in store for us.