If you need a quick loan in Kenya, this article will explore your options. Whether you require a personal or business loan or financing for your education, we’ve got you covered. Thanks to modern technology, traditional lenders such as banks are no longer the only option. Today, mobile loan apps in Kenya offer a convenient way to access quick loans. All you need is your internet-enabled phone to access these services.
What are quick loans?
Quick loans are short-term loans that offer fast and easy access to cash.
These loans typically cover unexpected expenses or emergencies, such as medical bills, car, or home repairs.
Quick Loans are often available from banks, Saccos, and online lenders like mobile loan apps.
The application process is typically quick and easy, and you can receive your loan in as little as minutes to 24 hours. They are like instant loans in Kenya.
Quick Loans are a great option when you need access to cash quickly. However, it is essential to remember that these emergency loans are typically high-interest loans, so you must ensure you can afford the repayment terms before taking out a Quick Loan in Kenya.
Where to get quick loans in Kenya
Here is a list of places where quick loans in Kenya in 2022:
Bank loan apps
When mobile loans from unregulated lenders became popular, Kenyan banks had to innovate and develop mobile loan apps. These apps from banks enabled Kenyans to access bank services and quick loans in Kenya.
Here are some popular bank loan apps to access a loan quickly.
1. Timiza loan app
Timiza loan by Absa Bank gives instant approvals at low interest rates and is easily accessible through the mobile app. The app is available for Android and iPhone users on Google PlayStore or IOS App Store.
To qualify for the loan, you should be:
- An M-Pesa user for at least six months
- An active user of Safaricom services, such as data
- In good standing with CRB
You must log in to the app or use a Timiza USSD code *848# to access the loan service. Once approved for the loan, you get a 30-day repayment term and a five per cent facility fee (one-time). With a Timiza loan, you can get loans of up to Ksh. 150,000.
2. NCBA Loop
The NCBA Loop App is more than a loan application platform. It allows customers to access all the banking services in the comfort of their homes through a virtual bank account. The app allows customers to pay bills, transfer money, and set financial goals.
They recently added a loan feature to the app, and customers can now access loans of up to Ksh 3,000,000 and overdrafts of up to Ksh 100,000. The repayment period is quite flexible, from 6 months to 36 months.
To register for NCBA Loop, you must download the Google PlayStore or IOS App. Add your ID number and phone number. Once the registration is complete, collect your card at the nearest NCBA branch. While at the branch, they will take extra details like your picture and biometrics to activate your account for transactions.
3. MCo-op Cash app
The MCo-op Cash app is a product of the cooperative bank that makes it easy for customers to access banking services through their phones. To download the app, install it and visit Google PlayStore or IOS App Store. The mobile version is also available by dialing USSD code *667#.
After the online or mobile registration, you must visit your nearest cooperative bank branch with your ID and Co-Op Bank account number. The bank will link your phone number to your bank account, and you will receive an activation pin immediately to log into your app.
Remember to change the PIN after the first login. With the Co-op app, you can get up to KSh 500,000 loans. Your eligible amount will depend on your CRB status and other factors. Once approved for the loan, they will charge a 3% appraisal fee, 1.083% commission, and 20% exercise commission.
4. HF Whizz app
The Housing Finance Corporation created the HF Whizz Loan App to improve customer experience by eliminating long transaction processes. The app allows customers to pay bills, buy airtime, and borrow loans. To register and use the HF Whizz App, you do not need to account with the bank.
Download the app on Google PlayStore or IOS App Store, install it on your device, and register. Once you provide all the details, you will receive a verification code via SMS to activate your app.
After completing the registration process, you must deposit Ksh 200 into the account to assess your creditworthiness. Depending on your creditworthiness, you can receive Ksh 1000 to Ksh 50,000 as a loan with an interest rate of 10%.
5. Eazzy Banking app
Eazzy Banking App is a product of equity banks and one of the most popular banking Apps. To install the app, go to Google PlayStore or IOS App Store. It is not a very user-friendly App, but it works for customers who want to do online banking services.
With the Eazzy App, you get up to Ksh 3 million into your bank account, but that will depend on your creditworthiness. To qualify for an Eazzy loan, you need an active Equity bank account for the past six months or an Equitel line.
6. PesaPap loan app
The pesaPap loan app is a product of Family Bank. With Pesapap, you get a virtual bank account, so you do not need a physical Family Bank account. Go to Google PlayStore or IOS App Store and install it on your phone to download the app.
After the installation, start registration and set your m-pin. Once approved, you can start taking loans by going to the loans sections of the app. Each customer has a loan limit depending on their creditworthiness, so check your loan limit before applying.
7. NIC NOW app
After merging NIC and CBA banks, the app changed its name to NCBA Now App. It is available to all smartphone users by downloading it on Google PlayStore or IOS App Store. The goal of this app is to make banking fast and convenient through a variety of features.
There have been complaints about the app’s reliability, and it currently has a one-star rating. Although they have a loan calculator section, it is not the best app for a quick loan since the loan feature is unavailable.
8. Vooma loan
Vooma Loan is a product of the KCB Bank Group. The app allows you to send, receive, and access loans. To download the app, visit the Google PlayStore or IOS App Store or use USSD *844# to register and activate the account.
The app offers fast loans within 24 hours, but you must have an active bank account for the past six months and be in good standing with CRB to be eligible. Their interest rate is relatively low at 6.91%, and the best thing is that they do not have processing fees.
However, you will be charged a flat fee of 5% for late payments. You can get loans from Ksh 1000 to Ksh 3 million.
Other Non-App services from Kenyan banks that offer loans include:
9. KCB Mpesa
KCB Mpesa is one of the most competitive loans, with an interest rate of 1.16% per month and a one-off fee of 2.5%. The loan is offered in partnership between KCB and Safaricom PLC so that all Safaricom M-Pesa customers can access the loan service.
Besides being a loan service, customers get other features like money transfers and savings accounts with up to 7.5% interest per annum.
You need a National ID and M-Pesa account to qualify for the loan. You do not need savings to get a loan with KCB Mpesa. The loan is disbursed in your KCB Mpesa account, and the repayment period is one, three, or six months.
10. M-Shwari
M-shwari offers a combination of loans and savings. The loan is provided through Mpesa, so to access M-Shwari loan services, you need to have an active M-Pesa account. To access M-shwari, you do not need to have previous banking history, and you can get a loan almost immediately after registration.
You also need not install any app since the M-Shwari is available on the M-Pesa menu. Safaricom App users can get access to M-shwari on the app. M-shwari loans are available from Ksh 100 to Ksh 50,000, attracting an interest of 9% for 30 days.
In case of late payment, you get a penalty fee of 7.5% applied to the loan amount. To get higher loans, you need to save more in your M-shwari and increase the activity in your account.
11. Fuliza Mpesa
Fuliza M-Pesa is not a loan service but an overdraft facility by Safaricom and NCBA Bank. It is available to all registered M-Pesa users and allows them to make payments or send money even when they do not have money.
To register for Fuliza, dial *234# and select 1 to opt-in. After registration, you will immediately receive an overdraft limit. Since this is an overdraft service, it is automatically deducted every time you top up money in your M-Pesa to pay for your loan.
The Central Bank of Kenya regulates that massive list of banks. Most of these loans are short-term quick loans with one one-month repayment period. However, the loans can be extended up to 3 years, depending on the loan amount borrowed.
Traditional loan apps
Another place where you can get quick loans in Kenya is through mobile loan apps. I call them traditional mobile loan apps because this is their core business. They don’t operate banks or physical offices like banks.
They offer loans through a quick and easy process. These quick loans in Kenya will provide loans instantly to your M-Pesa and have a repayment period of one month or less after you borrow the loan.
Loan apps in Kenya include:
12. Tala loan app
The Tala loan app, formerly Mkopo Rahisi, was launched in 2014 and has become one of the most popular lending apps. Tala offers instant loans of up to Ksh 30,000 directly to your M-Pesa account.
To apply for the loan, download the app from Google PlayStore or IOS App Store, install it on your phone, register, and use it.
After linking your phone number to the app, the app will scan your M-Pesa transaction history, SMS, and CRB status. They will use the data to determine your credit score to allocate an appropriate loan amount.
Tala has a 30-day loan service with a 7 to 19% fee or a 21-day loan service of 5 to 14%.
13. Branch loan app
The branch is a multi-national lending app in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and India. It was launched in Kenya in 2015 and delivered loans in Kenya through Safaricom M-Pesa. The app is available in Google PlayStore or IOS App Store and has over 10 million installs.
It would help to qualify for the loan if you had a smartphone, Facebook account, mobile phone number, and national ID. You can get a loan amount from Ksh 250 to Ksh 70,000, and the repayment period is 4 to 52 weeks.
14. Zenka loan
enka is a product of Zenka Finance Limited. It was launched in 2018 by a fintech company in Kenya, and so far, it has over 100,000 downloads. Apart from using the app, you can use the USSD code *841# to register for a loan.
To be eligible for a Zenka loan, you must be 18, with a national identity card, Safaricom phone number, and an M-Pesa account. The app uses our mobile phone data to determine your eligibility for the loan.
Once approved for the loan, you pay a one-time process fee of KSh 45 to Ksh 870, depending on the amount you want to apply. You can also borrow from Ksh 500 to Ksh 30,000. They have a flexible repayment period of 61 days or 180 days.
15. Okash loan app
The Okash Loan app, which Opera Mini powers, provides loans under Ksh 50,000 to the general public. It’s currently only available to Android mobile users and not yet accessible to iPhone users. There’s no USSD available at the moment.
Using Okash, borrowers can apply for loans ranging from Ksh 2500 to Ksh 50,000. However, Okash has a short repayment period of just 14 days; the interest charged during that period is 5%, which is quite high.
16. iPesa loan app
iPesa gives Kenyans access to loans through M-Pesa. The app is available for download to your device, and once the download is complete, you can install it on your phone.
The app will scan your phone to check the phone contacts and M-Pesa messages to determine the loan amount you qualify for. With this app, you can get loan amounts of up to Ksh 50,000, depending on how much you qualify for.
Before you are approved for the loan, you will fill in personal information like national ID, region, education level, and employment status.
Frequently asked questions
The following are some of the frequently asked questions about quick loans in Kenya:
How can I get an immediate loan?
Getting a loan in Kenya with a mobile phone and an active M-Pesa account is easy. Simply download an app, register, and apply.
Where can I get a fast loan in Kenya?
You can easily obtain a quick loan in Kenya from any lending app if you have a mobile phone and an active M-Pesa account. It is important to take the time to carefully review the terms and conditions before applying for the loan.
Which app gives loans faster?
This article features various apps that offer fast loans. Depending on the amount of loan you require and the repayment period, you can select any of the listed apps. However, it’s important to note that some apps may verify your credit score and history through CRB before approving your loan. In contrast, others may only rely on your phone data to assess your eligibility.
What is the easiest loan to get?
The quickest loans in Kenya are available through traditional loan apps such as Tala and Branch, which do not require a credit check so you can get your loan within minutes.
Can I get a loan without a job?
In Kenya, it is possible to obtain a loan even if you are unemployed. Various mobile applications provide loans to individuals without jobs; you only need an active M-Pesa account. However, to be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, possess a national identification card, and fulfil other requirements stipulated by the lender.
Conclusion
In Kenya, there is no shortage of quick loan providers. The easiest way to find the best loans for you will be by comparing rates and terms from different lenders in your country. The above list of apps is a great starting point for your loan search in Kenya. You can also check quick loans in Kenya without security.
Getting a quick loan in Kenya is easy, and you can use the loan for any purpose. However, make sure you only borrow what you can afford to repay so you don’t get into more debt. Also, read the terms and conditions. Don’t apply for any loan.
