Airtel Money overdraft service is on the way for customers in Kenya. Reports from late 2025 and early 2026 say the company plans to roll it out soon. This new feature will let users finish payments or send money even when their balance runs low. It puts Airtel in direct competition with Safaricom’s popular Fuliza service.
Details started coming out in December 2025. Airtel Kenya said they were in the final stages of setting up the overdraft option. Customers would borrow small amounts to cover transactions. They pay it back later, with a fee added on. Exact limits, rates, and launch dates have not been shared yet. But sources close to the company point to an early 2026 start.
Fuliza has ruled this space since 2019. Safaricom runs it with NCBA Bank and KCB. Kenyans borrow billions through it every year. Reports show over Ksh 600 billion in loans at times. Many rely on it for daily needs, like paying bills or buying airtime when cash is short. Fees build up if not paid quickly, but the ease keeps users coming back.
Airtel wants a piece of that market. Their mobile money service has grown in recent years. More people switch lines or use Airtel for cheaper data and calls. Adding an overdraft could pull in new users. It also keeps current ones from jumping to M-Pesa for credit needs. Airtel already offers other loans, like Kopa Credo for airtime. This new one focuses on wallet balances.
Mobile money plays a huge role in Kenya. Millions use it daily for everything from shopping to sending cash home. Safaricom holds the biggest share through M-Pesa. Airtel Money trails but gains ground. Recent numbers show it handling more transactions. Partnerships with shops and banks help too.
The Central Bank watches these services closely. Rules cover fees and how much people can borrow. Airtel will need approvals to go live. They aim to make theirs simple, maybe with lower costs or higher limits to stand out. No word yet on exact differences from Fuliza.
Users react mixed online. Some welcome more choices. They say competition could bring better rates. Others worry about debt traps. Overdrafts feel convenient but add up fast. Posts on social media show people sharing stories of Fuliza bills piling high.
Airtel has similar products in other countries. In Tanzania, they teamed up with a bank for digital loans. That experience might help in Kenya. Local teams customise it for what customers need here.
For everyday Kenyans, this means options. If stuck with no balance, they could soon pick Airtel’s service instead of Fuliza. Small businesses might benefit too, covering quick payments. Rural areas with Airtel networks could see more use.
No official launch date sits confirmed as of January 2026. Company statements stay quiet for now. When it starts, expect ads and menu updates on phones. Dialling the Airtel Money code will likely show the new option.
This move fits bigger trends. Telcos push financial services to make money beyond calls. Safaricom leads, but Airtel closes the gap step by step. An overdraft feature marks a direct challenge in credit.
People watch for details on fees and eligibility. Good credit behaviour on Airtel might raise limits, like with Fuliza. For now, the news builds interest. More competition often helps users in the end. As rollout nears, updates should come from Airtel. Customers keep an eye on their phones for the change.
