10 Ways To Access Quick Unsecured Loans in Kenya

Are you in need of a quick, mobile loan in Kenya without security? You are in luck, because in Kenya there are many options for you to access instant online loans, often processed within hours, and without involving the arduous task of looking for security.

Although there are many options out there, in this post I will attempt to highlight the 10 options that make it the process of borrowing and repayment as simple as possible.This also means that banks will not be included. I have mostly featured mobile loan apps, p2p borrowing sites, as well as phone-based solutions in the post.  

Keep in mind that these services mostly provide micro-loans. Although they are quick and unsecured, the downside is that they are often small, but with a good repayment history you gradually gain access to bigger loans.

Mshwari

First on the list is the most common, but often abused micro-borrowing platform. You automatically qualify for Mshwari once you have been active on Mpesa for at least six months. The platform has been around since 2012 and it has certainly served me well. The best part about Mshwari is that the loans are instant, only limited by your loan limit.

The minimum loan amount is Sh.100 and you can gradually raise your Mshwari loan limit to Sh.20,000. Your loan limit is determined by Safaricom, based on your Mpesa transaction history and past loan repayments. All mshwari loans have a repayment duration of 30 days at a flat 7.5% interest rate. If you default on an Mshwari loan, the repayment period is extended by an additional 30 days while an additional 7.5% facilitation fee is applied. Thereafter, you will lose access to Mshwari for 30 days for late loan repayment.

• Eligibility: Be a registered & active Mpesa user for over (6 months)
• Minimum loan amt: Sh. 50
• Maximum loan amt: Sh. 1,000,000
• Repayment duration: 30 days
• Loan Interest: 7.5%

  KCB Mpesa

KCB Mpesa is one of my favorites, in fact, I prefer it to Mshwari. To qualify, you only need to have an active Mpesa account. You can find the KCB Mpesa menu under the loans and savings option in Mpesa. The service is facilitated by KCB bank, but it is separately managed from the usual KCB accounts. You can have a KCB Mpesa even if you are a current customer of the bank. The minimum loan amount issued is usually Sh.100.

However, I have noticed that KCB often offers much better loan limits compared to Mshwari. Plus, it is much easier for your loan limit to increase, with the maximum amount issued pegged at Sh.1,000,000. I also prefer their repayment structure since they charge 1.16% per month with a one off negotiation fee of 2.5%. The cost for the one month loan is 3.66% with excise duty applicable on fees Eligibility: Be a registered & active Mpesa user for over (6 mths)

• Minimum loan amt: kshs 50
• Maximum loan amt: kshs. 1,000,000
• Repayment duration: 1 – 3 months.
• Loan Interest: 1.16% per month with a one off negotiation fee of 2.5%. The cost for the one month loan is 3.66% with excise duty applicable on fees.

  Branch

Although I am not a big fan of how such mobile apps invade your privacy, they are of the best providers of micro-loans. Branch works exclusively through a mobile app.

You will find that most other solutions on this list require you to have an android phone. This is because it makes it easier for the app to gain access to your Mpesa transaction messages. These are used to determine your eligibility and loan limit. You will have to start by accessing the minimum loan amount offered at Sh.1000. Each successful repayment increases your loan limit while lowering your interest rate. Branch is one of the best mobile loan app providers and is highly recommended. The repayments must be completed through 3 equal weekly installments.

• Access Branch loans by downloading the Branch App from the Play Store
• Eligibility: Be a Registered and active Mpesa user, Facebook account, and Accumulation of more SMS and Mpesa transaction messages on phone.
• Minimum loan amt: kshs.1000
• Maximum loan amt: Sh.20,000
• Repayment duration: 3 equal weekly installments

Saida

Saida is a Mobile app, that is very similar to Branch and Tala, although it is a bit harder to qualify for their loans. To be eligible, you need to be very active on Mpesa/Airtel Money and make transactions every two days; make and receive calls/sms daily; proof of income that is enough to allow you to pay back the loan.

• To access Saida, download the app from the Playstore. Fill in your mobile number and wait for an invitation to access loans.
• Minimum loan amt: shs.600
• Maximum loan amt: Sh.15,000
• Repayment duration: 30 days
• Loan interest rate: 10%

Zidisha

Zidisha is a p2p lending platform. Peer-to-peer lending, sometimes abbreviated P2P lending, is the practice of lending money to individuals or businesses through online services that match lenders directly with borrowers. Zidisha is a non-profit organization that connects borrowers from Kenya and across Africa, with lenders from North America and Europe.

• Minimum loan amt: $100
• Maximum loan amt: $10,000
• Repayment duration: weekly or monthly installments
• Loan interest rate: None.

Tala Instant Mobile Loans

Tala was the the first instant mobile loans app launched in Kenya as Mkopo Rahisi in 2014. To access Tala loans , you need to have an android smartphone as well as an active Facebook account. To start, simply download the Tala App from the Google PlayStore. Launch the app and link your Facebook account and you will be ready to start using the service. Before borrowing a loan, you will be asked a few personal questions that will determine whether you qualify for a loan. However, the app mainly depends on reading your mpesa transaction history to determine whether you will be allowed access to Tala loans. The minimum loan amount offered is Sh.500, while it can increase to Sh.50,000 on the back of a good repayment history. You are supposed to pay the loan back in 3 weekly installments while the interest rate is pegged at 15%.

• Minimum loan amt: ksh.500
• Maximum loan amt: kshs.50,000
• Repayment duration: 3 equal weekly installments
• Loan interest rate: 15%

Kiva

Kiva is a p2p borrowing platform that is quite similar to zidisha, although it does not work quite as well as Zidisha locally.

• Minimum loan amt: Dependent on lenders
• Maximum loan amt: Dependent on lenders
• Repayment duration: Not specified
• Loan interest rate: 34% (varies by country and partner)
• Loan disbursement mode: via PayPal/Kiva account

Kopa Chapaa

Kopa Chapaa is Airtel’s Version of Mshwari although it has been around since 2012. While Mshwari loans are facilitated by CBA Bank, Kopa Chapaa is facilitated by Faulu Bank. To be eligible for the loan, you must have been an airtel money user for at least 6 months. The minimum amount disbursed is Sh.500 while the maximum is Sh.100,000. However, the loan has a surprisingly short repayment duration of 10 days. I believe that this is a very major drawback since KCB Mpesa offers an option of paying back the loan in up to 3 months.

• Eligibility: Be an active Airtel Money User
• Minimum loan amt: kshs.500
• Maximum loan amt: kshs.10000
• Repayment duration: 10 days

Timiza

Timiza is a loan app by the Barclays bank of Kenya. Besides, loans you can also use the app to get access to other services like paying bills, airtime top up,buying insurance,forex and paying for Little Cab over Android smartphones and tablets.

Getting Started with Timiza App.

All you need is to be 18 years and above,have an Mpesa account and an Android device (either a smartphone or tablet).

• Download Timiza App from play store
• Fill in the required details
• Activate your account

Haraka

Haraka loan app is a small division of Getbucks all providing quick loans to Kenyans and Africans at large. The amount of money given out inform of loans ranges between kes500 to kes5000 currently.Loan repayment period is between 7days to 30days(1 month).

Okash

Okash Loan App under Opera Group’s subsidiary Opay is a fast lender giving out small mobile loans to Smartphone users in Kenya. Okash can offer up to a maximum of kes500000 within minutes to qualified borrowers at an interest rate of 5% .Currently the maximum repayment duration for loans is 14 days.

Pesa Pata

This service facilitated by Paddy Micro-investments is one of the lesser known, but still highly efficient provider of micro-loans in Kenya. Pesa pata has been around since 2012. To be eligible for the service, the only requirement is that you must be an active Mpesa user, along with an active Facebook account. To use Pesa Pata, download the and install the App from the Playstore, and send in your loan application fro the App. However, you will be required to pay a Sh.100 processing fee before your loan is approved/declined. The loan interest rate is one of the highest at 30% while you are expected to make weekly repayments via Mpesa.

Pesa na Pesa (PNP)

Pesa na pesa goes last on the list because it requires physical registration with the company, but this is done only once. Also, you have to provide a form of collateral when borrowing larger loans.

• Minimum loan amt: kshs 500
• Maximum loan amt: kshs. 10,000
• Repayment duration: 10 days
• Loan interest rate: 10%

Which service do you use to get instant mobile loans in Kenya? Share it in the comments section below.