Hustler Fund — review & details
The government's micro-credit scheme — by far the cheapest small, short loan available to most Kenyans. Dial *254#; 5% of each loan is diverted to savings.
Cheapest small credit
Hustler Fund
★★★★☆
KSh 500 – KSh 50,000 (grows with repayment history)
Amounts
14 days
Term
8% per year (pro-rated) — a fraction of app-loan cost; late = ~9.5%/yr on the overdue balance
Cost
Dial *254# (M-Pesa / Airtel Money / T-Kash)
Access
5% of each loan goes to compulsory savings (95% to your phone)
Note
small
Amount Tier
Pros
- By far the cheapest small, short credit
- Builds a repayment record
- Auto-enrols you into saving
Cons
- Small limits and a short 14-day term
- Government product — terms change by notice
- Reports to CRBs like any lender
How Hustler Fund compares in personal loans
| Hustler Fund | KCB M-Pesa | M-Shwari (loan) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amounts | KSh 500 – KSh 50,000 (grows with repayment history) | KSh 50 – KSh 250,000 | KSh 100 – KSh 1,000,000 (limit grows with usage) |
| Term | 14 days | 7 – 90 days (more flexible than an overdraft) | — |
| Cost | 8% per year (pro-rated) — a fraction of app-loan cost; late = ~9.5%/yr on the overdue balance | Around 9.06% per 30 days — confirm the current facility fee | One-off facility fee ~7.5% + 1.5% excise, deducted upfront |
| Access | Dial *254# (M-Pesa / Airtel Money / T-Kash) | Dial *522# on Safaricom | Dial *334# on Safaricom (6+ months active M-Pesa) |
| Note | 5% of each loan goes to compulsory savings (95% to your phone) | — | — |
| Read our Hustler Fund guide → | Read our KCB review → | Read our M-Shwari review → |
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