Pezesha (short for Peer to Peer Lending Platform for Africa) is a digital financial ecosystem designed to connect small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with credit. It’s not just a mobile loan app—it’s a structured lending platform that leverages alternative data and partnerships to offer responsible, affordable financing to entrepreneurs.
Pezesha operates under a credit-as-a-service (CaaS) model, meaning it partners with institutions to deliver embedded finance to underserved markets. It stands out by focusing not just on disbursing funds, but on building long-term financial inclusion.
How Pezesha Works
Pezesha doesn’t offer personal consumer loans in the same way as most mobile apps. Instead, it provides business loans to qualified SMEs through partner platforms like e-commerce sites, digital marketplaces, and fintech solutions. A business must be integrated within one of Pezesha’s partner networks to be eligible for financing.
Once a business applies, Pezesha uses AI-powered credit scoring based on mobile money behavior, transaction history, and other non-traditional data sources to determine eligibility.
Core Features of Pezesha Loans
Business loans for working capital, inventory, and operational needs.
- Typically KSh 2,000 to KSh 100,000 for first-time borrowers, with potential growth to KSh 500,000+
- Flexible durations from 7 to 90 days depending on the business type and loan agreement.
- Competitive and based on borrower risk profile—often between 5% and 15% flat fee.
- Uses alternative data including mobile money activity, marketplace transactions, and payment behavior.
Eligibility Criteria for a Pezesha Loan
To qualify for a Pezesha loan, the applicant must:
- Be a small or medium business operating in Kenya.
- Be connected to a Pezesha partner platform (such as an e-commerce or supply chain app).
- Maintain active mobile money usage (M-PESA or Airtel Money).
- Exhibit consistent cash flow through verifiable transactions.
- Have a clean or manageable credit history (non-blacklisted by CRB).
How to Apply for a Pezesha Loan
- You must be signed up on a platform integrated with Pezesha (e.g., a logistics, trade, or retail partner).
- The system runs your transactional data and gives you a limit based on behavior.
- Once eligible, you receive an SMS or app-based notification offering a loan.
- On acceptance, the loan is sent directly to your mobile wallet or bank account, depending on the agreement.
Repaying Your Pezesha Loan
- Repayments are scheduled based on the loan agreement you can choose either weekly or monthly.
- Payments are made via mobile money or bank transfer, depending on the setup.
- Early repayment can improve your credit score and unlock higher limits.
- Missed repayments can trigger reminders and, in severe cases, blacklisting.
Unique Benefits of Using Pezesha
- Designed for growth-oriented small businesses.
- Scale based on performance.
- Loans are embedded in ecosystems you already use.
- Pezesha provides education and resources alongside credit.
- Fair evaluation based on actual business activity, not just formal banking records.
Challenges You Should Know
Not open to personal borrowers not tied to a business.
Access requires being linked to an official Pezesha partner platform.
Approval can take longer than instant loan apps due to additional business evaluation.
Tips to Grow with Pezesha
- Keep consistent and clean transaction records.
- Engage with platforms that have active Pezesha partnerships.
- Repay on time and avoid defaults.
- Use the loan specifically for business growth (not personal expenses).
- Take advantage of Pezesha’s business training modules if offered.