M-Shwari is a mobile savings and loan service available to eligible M-PESA customers in Kenya. It is provided through the partnership between Safaricom and NCBA Bank. Customers can save money, apply for an approved short-term loan and manage their M-Shwari account directly from supported M-PESA menus.
How to activate M-Shwari
- Open your M-PESA menu or the M-PESA app.
- Go to Loans and Savings and select M-Shwari.
- Choose the activation option if you are not yet registered.
- Read the account terms and conditions carefully.
- Accept the terms and follow the verification prompts.
- Wait for account activation confirmation before starting to save or borrow.
The exact menu can vary by handset, SIM toolkit and M-PESA app version. Use the official M-PESA interface rather than a third-party link requesting your PIN.
How to save money in M-Shwari
The M-Shwari savings account lets customers transfer money from M-PESA into a linked savings account. NCBA advertises no minimum balance, no ledger fees and no transaction charges for transfers between M-PESA and M-Shwari. Interest earned on savings depends on the applicable terms and interest-rate schedule.
- Choose M-Shwari from the M-PESA Loans and Savings menu.
- Select the option to save or deposit money.
- Enter the amount to move from your M-PESA wallet.
- Confirm the transaction using your M-PESA PIN.
- View the updated savings balance or transaction notification.
M-Shwari Lock Savings
Eligible customers can set aside funds using an M-Shwari Lock Savings Account for a selected saving goal. The published terms describe lock periods and withdrawal procedures, including an early-access process that may take time. Review the lock duration, available interest and early withdrawal conditions at the time you open the account.
How to check your M-Shwari loan limit
- Open M-PESA and select Loans and Savings.
- Choose M-Shwari and open the Loan menu.
- Select the option to check your loan limit.
- Read the available amount shown, if any, and the terms before applying.
Loan limits are assessed individually. Regular M-PESA usage, account history, loan repayment behaviour and other eligibility criteria can affect the amount offered. Opening an account does not guarantee access to credit.
M-Shwari loan fees and repayment
NCBA publishes a 7.5% loan facility fee for M-Shwari borrowing. The fee is also subject to 20% excise duty on the facility fee under the terms described by the bank. Repayment is due within 30 days. The exact amount disbursed and repayment obligation should be reviewed on the confirmation screen.
For example, NCBA illustrates a KSh 1,000 loan with a KSh 75 facility fee and KSh 15 excise duty. Under the bank’s published collection method, the KSh 15 tax is deducted at disbursement, making the amount received KSh 985. This example illustrates the fee structure only; always rely on the final transaction terms for your loan.
If you do not repay on time, additional fees or restrictions may apply. Missed payments can limit future borrowing and may affect credit reporting, subject to applicable rules and required notices. Borrow only an amount you can repay within the period.
How to borrow and repay
- Open the M-Shwari loan option from the M-PESA menu.
- Check your eligibility and available loan limit.
- Enter the amount requested, review all fees, tax and repayment terms.
- Confirm only if the repayment is affordable.
- To repay, go back to the M-Shwari Loan menu and select repayment.
- Choose the repayment amount and confirm with your M-PESA PIN.
- Keep the SMS confirmation and verify that your outstanding loan balance has decreased.
M-Shwari customer safety
Never share your M-PESA PIN, SIM registration credentials or one-time verification code. Ignore messages offering to ‘increase’ an M-Shwari loan limit in return for an upfront fee. Check any issue involving a failed transfer or disputed charge through Safaricom’s verified customer-service channels or NCBA.
Official M-Shwari information
- NCBA M-Shwari savings and loans
- M-Shwari loan fees, rollover and savings FAQs
- Safaricom M-PESA services
