Brian Otieno

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kenya’s cashless economy runs on M-PESA.Two of the most common ways M-PESA payments are accepted across the country are through M-PESA Till and Paybill numbers.Both let customers pay from their phones, but they solve different problems for entrepreneurs and business owners.This guide explains the difference, the real-world trade-offs, and which one fits your hustle.