Unlocking business Credit with Dignity: Pezesha & Safaricom Partner to Expand MSME Credit Through M-PESA Business Solutions

Yesterday, Pezesha was honored to participate in a milestone event hosted by Safaricom PLC marking the launch of the next chapter in digital credit innovation in Kenya M-Pesa Business Credit, also known as Taasi Pochi.

The launch highlighted a shared commitment between Safaricom, Pezesha, and other financial partners to democratize access to credit to MSMEs. Together, we aim to ensure that every entrepreneur — from the local mama mboga to small kiosks — are financially included with dignity and empowered to grow their business.

“This goes beyond just providing credit. It’s about doing what’s right ; committing to zero harm, fostering collaboration, and empowering entrepreneurs to grow their businesses with dignity,” said Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa.

A Shared Vision: Enabling Responsible Credit for MSMEs

With over 700,000 merchants transacting through Lipa na M-Pesa and SMEs employing 80% of Kenya’s workforce, the need for flexible, accessible, and dignified credit solutions has never been more urgent.

At Pezesha, we've long championed this vision. Through Mkopo wa Pochi now evolved into Taasi Pochi we've empowered thousands of M-Pesa merchants with timely working capital, enabling over KES 1 billion in disbursements in under a year. This has helped countless small businesses sustain operations and scale with confidence.

Our partnership with Safaricom, built on trust and a shared commitment to responsible lending, exemplifies how embedded credit solutions can drive real impact.

Many businesses are actively seeking credit. Our goal is to provide a diverse range of solutions to meet their needs,” said Esther Waititu, Safaricom’s Chief Financial Services Officer.

Digital Credit, Data, and Dignity

A key takeaway from the event was the industry’s shift from traditional collateral-based lending to credit scoring models where platforms like Patascore (our sister company powering credit scoring as Service) is playing a vital role as the engine behind MSME lending to M-Pesa merchants we are supporting with working capital solutions. Pezesha has been at the forefront of this transformation, investing significantly in data-driven underwriting. This approach allows micro and small businesses to access credit based on their transaction history and business performance, rather than physical assets.

“When extending credit, preserving dignity is essential. A young mother should be able to access KSh 5,000 to support her family—without the burden of collateral ,” emphasized Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC.

Real Stories, Real Impact

We heard firsthand from Gakii, a trader on Latema Road and a Taasi Pochi customer, who accessed a KSh 200,000 loan to grow her business and enjoys a varity of tailored product offerings of 7-day, 14-day and 30-day loan options with flexible repayment options. Gakii shared that while the loan was transformative, a misunderstanding of the terms led to a delayed repayment, which impacted her credit score. Her experience highlights why Pezesha launched Elimiza, our financial literacy app designed to help MSMEs borrow responsibly, understand credit terms, and develop healthy financial habits. For us, financial education isn’t optional it’s essential to building sustainable, dignified access to credit.

Gakii, a trader and Taasi Pochi customer, seated second from the left.

In Closing: From Milestones to Movement

Reflecting on yesterday’s launch, one thing is clear—we’re not just reaching milestones; we’re part of a growing movement. A movement where FinTech, telecoms, and banking come together to ensure every entrepreneur has access to dignified, growth-oriented credit.

Pezesha remains committed to leading this change. We’re proud to partner with Safaricom and other financial leaders to create a tangible, measurable impact for Kenya’s 7 million+ MSMEs.

“The goal is not just to lend; it’s to uplift. To equip every business owner with the tools they need to succeed, free from fear or barriers.”

The Pezesha team with the Safaricom Taasi Product Team at yesterday’s Safaricom M-Pesa Business Credit Launch.

Let’s collaborate — together, we can go far!

Interested in learning more about our MSME products or exploring opportunities to scale with us as a capital provider? Reach out to us at hello@pezesha.com with your expression of interest, and join our movement!