Safaricom unveils Taasi credit facility for traders

="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001511369/safaricom-ngo-launch-ai-product-for-small-scale-farmers&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj7zYn3yrSNAxXWT6QEHWkeD5EQFnoECAQQAg&usg=AOvVaw0t-Ge2MzlkabnCSNUylrZR&fexp=72956999,72956998">Safaricom< on Wednesday launched an overdraft facility for micro and small businesses as it eyes providing working capital to over one million enterprises that are using its Pochi La Biashara payment platform.

The new product, dubbed Taasi, is akin to Fuliza, but targeted at small enterprises. Safaricom also said entrepreneurs would have the option of making partial repayments unlike in Fuliza, where the money advanced to individuals is recovered at one go, which it said offered flexibility on repayments and loan terms.

Taasi will be available to users of Pochi, a payment platform for small businesses, unlike Lipa Na M-Pesa, which is targeted at mid-sized enterprises. It will offer businesses short-term credit ranging between Sh1,500 to Sh250,000, depending on eligibility.

Entrepreneurs will have between 14 and 30 days to repay credit advanced through Taasi. The loans will attract an interest rate of five per cent for 14 days and seven per cent over 30 days. The product is offered in partnership with 

“Businesses play a pivotal role in Kenya’s economy and make a significant impact in our communities. Leveraging the power of technology, Taasi will offer convenience and access to credit for MSMEs, allowing them to focus on scaling their businesses,” said ="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001513324/safaricom-marks-18-years-of-m-pesa-with-money-market-fund&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj7zYn3yrSNAxXWT6QEHWkeD5EQFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw16iM28ZUBUZbOBnHEuKjiz&fexp=72956999,72956998">Peter Ndegwa<, chief executive, Safaricom.

He added that the Pochi La Biashara has grown 80 per cent in one year to 1.1 million users from 600,000. 

Taasi, in addition to Fuliza Biashara, is also an overdraft facility for slightly larger businesses that receive payments from customers through Lipa Na M-Pesa. Businesses receiving payments through Lipa Na M-Pesa stood at 700,000, which Ndegwa noted was an increase from 170,000 during pre-Covid-19 pandemic times.

“Our journey with MSMEs began over a decade ago in 2013 when we launched Lipa Na M-Pesa. At the time, we understood a simple but powerful truth, that if we could give small businesses the tools to digitise their operations, we could unlock new possibilities for growth, trust, innovation, and transparency,” said Ndegwa. 

“Lipa Na Mpesa has truly transformed the way small businesses in Kenya operate, by providing a secure, efficient, ="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001507812/safaricom-foundation-launches-sh120m-agribusiness-project-to-empower-youth&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj7zYn3yrSNAxXWT6QEHWkeD5EQFnoECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3nRH7m6Dkc44CKrlwL5yQa&fexp=72956999,72956998">affordable mobile payment platform< that enhances financial management, reduces cash handling risks, and supports business growth,” he added.